TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 8710100

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

          Identification Specialists perform a variety of technical and professional tasks related to the identification of individuals, using fingerprints, other biometrics, and other analytical tools and methods.  Typically they also supervise other employees in the performance of clerical and lower-level technical and professional tasks related to this function.  Identification Specialists are found within the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

          Identification Specialist 1: full-performance level; performs technical and professional tasks related to identification operations; supervises lower-level staff in the performance of clerical and technical tasks related to the identification of people using various biometric and other indicators.

          Identification Specialist 2: supervisory level; supervisory authority over a discrete unit, particular function, or particular work shift; supervises Identification Specialists 1.

          Identification Specialist 3: supervisory level; supervisory authority over a larger, more complicated, or more critical discrete unit, function, or shift.

          Identification Specialist 4: overall supervisory level; manager of various units within DCJSs identification operation.

          Chief of Identification Operations: management level; manager of one or more units encompassing a large set of related functions within DCJSs identification operation.

RELATED CLASSES

          Identification Examiners are responsible for a variety of technical and clerical tasks associated with fingerprints, palm prints, and other biometric modalities, primarily in the service of performing identification history background checks for various purposes.

          Latent Print Examiners are responsible for a variety of technical tasks associated with the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification of latent print case evidence developed at crime scenes.

          Latent Print Laboratory Director is a single-position class, scientific in nature and in the non-competitive jurisdictional class, in overall charge of DCJSs latent print operation.

          Assistant Director Identification Operations and Director Identification Operations are single-position classes at DCJS, in overall charge of the entire identification operation, incorporating the functions of the Identification Specialist, Identification Examiner, Latent Print Examiner, and Latent Print Laboratory Director classes, and various other clerical, professional, and scientific titles contained within the identification operation.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 1

·       Use authorized automated systems to read identification history records.

·       Interpret identification history records.

·       Use authorized automated systems to associate fingerprint and other biometric transactions with identification history records maintained by DCJS and other agencies.

·       Identify and resolve errors and conflicts in the data.

·       Supervise lower-level staff in the performance of technical and clerical duties related to identification of persons over a given shift or a given unit within the operation.

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 2

·       Perform all the duties of an Identification Specialist 1.

·       Supervise lower-level staff, including Identification Specialists 1.

·       Has overall supervisory responsibility over a discrete unit, particular function, or particular work shift.

·       Provide guidance, support, and direct and indirect supervision to subordinate staff.

·       Ensure all policies and procedures are implemented correctly and consistently.

·       Provide written and statistical data to higher level supervisors as requested.

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 3

·       Perform many of the duties of Identification Specialists 1 and 2.

·       Supervise Identification Specialists 2 and Identification Specialists 1.

·       Has overall supervisory responsibility over a larger, more complicated, or more critical discrete unit, particular function, or particular work shift.

·       Supervise a staff of technical employees on a given shift, performing the full range of supervisory duties.

·       Provide clear and concise reports on assigned subjects, providing sound recommendations to higher level management within the identification operation.

·       Direct and coordinate the operation of a shift for a given unit within DCJSs identification operation, including analyzing problems and proposing solutions; meeting with other DCJS staff; and performing liaison duties with other agencies.

·       Analyze data, as relates to identification work and to the supervisory function of the title.

·       Make final determinations on especially difficult identifications.

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 4

·       Serve as an overall supervisor of a given aspect of DCJSs identification operation, incorporating one or more units.

·       Supervise, direct, and coordinate the efforts of staff members in various titles (including lower-graded Identification Specialists) and the operations of one or more units (including oversee special programs).

·       Perform as liaison to and coordinate efforts with various public and private entities outside DCJS, and the general public.

·       Prepare written and statistical reports.

·       Develop budget proposals and applications for federal funding.

·       Coordinate efforts with local, county, State and federal agencies to implement new and amended legislation related to civil fingerprint based identification history background checks.

·       Develop, establish, and ensure compliance with DCJS policies, standards, and procedures within scope of responsibility.

·       Ensure compliance with DCJS, FBI, and other policies and practices, including interpreting applicable laws.

·       Design DCJS documents, presentations, publications, forms, briefings, correspondence and other documents, sometimes for use in training and/or for use in official communication.

·       Prepare written and statistical reports for superiors at DCJS.

·       Present at professional conferences.

·       Analyze legislation and its impact.

·       Provide advisory assistance to State agencies in the implementation of legislation related to fingerprints, background checks, and identification history.

·       Develop the identification operations annual budget proposal.

·       Respond to inquiries from the general public, contributor agencies, law enforcement, legislative staff, and other parties related to applicant fingerprint processing.

·       Provide advisory assistance to DCJS legal.

·       Participate in special projects and studies.

          CHIEF OF IDENTIFICATION OPERATIONS

Chiefs of Identification Operations manage, direct, and supervise assigned areas within the Division of Criminal Justice Services identification operation.  Specific duties will vary depending on assigned units.

·       Serve as manager of one or more areas or units encompassing a large set of related functions within DCJSs identification operation.

·       Supervise, direct, and coordinate operations within assigned areas or units, assessing workload and providing advisory assistance to staff.

·       Supervise, direct, oversee, and coordinate all aspects of operations in all aspects of the covered areas, unit, or units, assessing workload and providing advisory assistance to staff responsible for various functions.

·       Perform tasks associated with implementation and management of contracts and grants related to identification processing.

·       Ensure compliance with DCJS and federal policies and practices as needed, including interpreting local, state, and federal laws.

·       Serve as liaison to local, county, state, and federal agencies.  Coordinate with those agencies efforts to implement new and amended legislation related to identification processing.  Provide technical and procedural information and assistance to those agencies as needed.

·       Establish and enforce standards and procedures.

·       Investigate and evaluate new identification technology and products to determine if they will enhance identification operations.

·       Evaluate system indicators and performance measurement data to attain critical established agency objectives.

·       Design and present materials as necessary within covered areas, including: designing DCJS publications and forms; providing internal trainings; preparing and presenting written and statistical reports; providing briefings to superiors at DCJS; and giving formal presentations at professional conferences.

·       Prepare staffing and fiscal impact analysis in relation to changes in law.

·       Provide assistance to Agency Counsel in terms of interpreting laws and assessing the impact of new or altered law on identification operations.

·       Develop the annual budget proposal for the covered unit or units.

·       Serve on committees as requested.

·       As needed participate in special projects and supervise staff participating in special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 1

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Identification Examiner 2, and possession of proper Tenprint Examiner Certification as determined by DCJS.

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 2

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Identification Specialist 1 or Latent Print Examiner 1

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 3

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Identification Specialist 2 or Latent Print Examiner 2.

          IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST 4

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Identification Specialist 3 or Latent Print Examiner 3.

          CHIEF OF IDENTIFICATION OPERATIONS

Promotion: one year of permanent service as an Identification Specialist 4 or Latent Print Examiner 4.

Date:  6/15

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.