Forensic Case Manager

TITLE: Forensic Case Manager

LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia - Rochester, New York - Austin, Texas

DIVISION: Missing Children Division

DEPARTMENT: Special Programs, Forensic Services Unit (FS))

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

Less than 10% to fulfill job requirements

HOURS and SCHEDULE:

Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm (37.5 hours within five (5) days per week)

REPORTS TO:

This position reports to the Forensic Services Unit Program Manager, MCD

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT:

Daily contact requiring courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION:

Must be eligible to apply for VCIN certification which requires either U.S. citizenship or having been a lawful resident of the U.S. for the past 10 consecutive years. Must obtain VCIN certification within three (3) months of hire and maintain certification including completion of all required training. VCIN certification requires background screening, to include fingerprinting, criminal history check, and professional references.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position is responsible for managing a caseload of unidentified children within the Forensic Services Unit (FSU) and providing strategic and comprehensive analytical support, coordination and application of forensic resources, and investigative strategies to law enforcement and forensic professionals.

The Forensic Case Manager will also be responsible for providing strategic and comprehensive support to MCD Case Managers and law enforcement on missing child cases in efforts to facilitate and apply biometric and forensic resources assuring the most complete and thorough investigative response has been offered.

Position is also responsible for documenting all work activity in comprehensive reports and supplemental team documents for review and quality assurance. Position will also collaborate and participate in working groups with NCMEC staff, law enforcement, forensic professionals, and external lab partners making strategic recommendations, provide technical assistance, facilitate the application of forensic resources, develop and implement program objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position requires the ability to access and use NCIC/Nlets data after successfully completing VCIN certification.
• Manage a caseload of unidentified deceased children within the Forensic Services Unit while providing support and facilitating resources for law enforcement agencies, medical examiners and coroner offices.
• Establish, maintain, and foster close working relationship with law-enforcement and forensic professional contacts as the assigned case’s primary point of contact.
• Review, analyze case reports and leads to ensure all possible analytical, investigative and forensic avenues have been considered and addressed.
• Position will evaluate, analyze and organize assigned case load based on solvability factors.
• Help manage a public facing social media site highlighting unidentified deceased children in effort to develop leads for identification in collaboration with NCMEC staff, law enforcement, medical examiners, and coroners.
• Collaborate with NCMEC’s Forensic Artists to obtain appropriate materials for facial reconstructions and the creation and distribution of posters.
• Coordination of NCMEC resources within a team environment to assist and support law enforcement agencies and forensic professionals associated with these cases.
• Participate in the selection, development, and management of compressive case reviews and evidence review that would involve long term missing children, missing children where death has been presumed, cold case homicides of juveniles, unidentified deceased children, and cases involving recidivists or serial type of offenders. This would also involve identifying the leading subject matter experts throughout the nation to participate and provide expertise with regards to the latest proven investigative strategies and forensic techniques.
• Organize case information, document case activities, and maintain a digital working case file containing documentation of all activities and supplemental reports.
• Prepare appropriate cases for “media-ready” status in accordance with established case management policies and procedures. Make poster targeting assessments and then target “media-ready” cases with appropriate poster distribution partners, work with NCMEC’s Communication Division and other available resources in pertinent geographic locations.

• Respond promptly when returning telephone calls, emails and other correspondence both internally and externally.
• Promote and exhibit loyalty to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the cause of protecting children worldwide.
• Promote a professional image and communicate with others in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all law enforcement sensitive and case related information.
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of NCMEC and MCD.
• Conform with, abide by, and enforce all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forensic Science, Forensic Pathology, Forensic Psychology, Criminal Justice or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in law enforcement, social work, investigations or related field.
• Extensive experience in the area of violent crimes against persons, missing children, homicide, medico-legal death investigations, crime scene experience, and cold case investigations is highly preferred.
• Must not have undergone any disciplinary or corrective actions for a period any less than one year.
• Must have maintained an acceptable time and attendance record for a period of no less than one year.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Have a high degree of understanding of MCD and NCMEC programs.
• Knowledge, understanding, and ability in the operation of NCIC, NLETS, Microsoft Office Suite programs, social media networks, and collaborative video conferencing platforms.
• Knowledge of criminal justice and social service systems including knowledge of police procedures and methodology around cold case investigations of long term missing and homicides, serial offenders, evidence, and crime scene knowledge.
• Ability to manage, prioritize and complete numerous tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
• Produce work product with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• High degree of accountability.
• Self-starter, highly motivated and able to work with minimal supervision and direction.
• Ability to mentor, guide and assist fellow colleagues, interns and volunteers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to work as part of a team or in an individual capacity.