Crime Scene Investigator

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Under limited supervision, to examine for, develop, prioritize, and preserve physical evidence at crime scenes; to document crime scenes with photographs and video; to process evidence; and to do technical related work as assigned.

Please note: If you are hired as a Crime Scene Investigator with the City of Des Moines you will be promoted to Senior Crime Scene Investigator upon meeting the below eligibility requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of two years of college with a “C” grade average or above.
• Two (2) calendar years of experience as a Crime Scene Investigator with the Des Moines Police Department or:
• Completion of five (5) calendar years of service with forty-five (45) semester hours (67 quarter hours), or;
• Completion of ten (10) calendar years of service with thirty (30) semester hours (45 quarter hours), or;
• Completion of fifteen (15) calendar years of service with fifteen (15) semester hours (22 quarter hours).

The current hourly pay rate for Senior Crime Scene Investigator is $41.06 - $49.31.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Residency Incentive
• Volunteer Time
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life Insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
• Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
• Employee Discounts

Acceptable Experience and Training

Graduation from high school and two years of post-high school education, preferably in a course of study in criminology or the forensic sciences. One year of crime laboratory and/or crime scene field work may be substituted for one year of college education.

College transcripts must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department on or before the application deadline date. Please send transcripts electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1551 E. Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317.

Required Special Qualifications

Must have vision correctable to 20-20. Must be able to pass color vision test.

License or Other Requirements: Possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of Iowa. Candidates must meet City driving standards.

If you possess a non-Iowa driver's license, submittal of certified driving record is required by the application deadline date. Driving records may be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department: electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1551 E. Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317.

Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer polygraph exam, physical exam and drug screen.

The primary hours for this position will be overnights, 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Duty hours may vary, subject to recall, and overtime is to be expected. On-call rotation will be required.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• To process crime scenes for physical evidence;
• Collect and preserve evidence including biohazardous materials for laboratory examination;
• Collect and preserve evidence for court presentation;
• Provide court testimony, attend pre-trial conferences, prepare exhibits for court use;
• Conduct crime scene and limited laboratory examination of latent fingerprints, palmprints, footprints, bite marks, glove and cloth impressions, tool marks;
• Photograph crime scenes and evidence;
• Videotape crime scenes;
• Package and secure evidence retrieved by self or received from others; examine and clear loaded firearms;
• Examine deceased persons for trace evidence and fingerprints; attend autopsies;
• Search arrest and fingerprint files;
• Write reports of activities;
• Take photographs of persons and accident scenes;
• Take fingerprints of persons- arrested and noncriminal fingerprints;
• Type and file fingerprint cards and other types of identification materials;
• Compile and maintain records;
• Prepare periodic reports;
• Duty hours may vary, subject to recall, and overtime is to be expected.

Click here for Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 2/3/2026 4:00 PM Central

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• City of Des Moines

• 515-283-4213

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