About The Role

Full Salary Ranges: $80,924.76- $117,340.91 Annually

Anticipated Hiring Ranges: $80,924.76- $92,727.00 Annually

Why do I see two salary ranges?

The City of Greeley in compliance with Colorado state law, includes a salary range for all positions posted. This law is intended to improve wage transparency. The City of Greeley, in support of wage transparency, posts both the full salary range for each position (what you might anticipate your earnings could be if you work for the City of Greeley for some time), as well as the anticipated hiring range (the range within which the City anticipates making an offer). The actual offer extended will be based on your years of relevant experience, education, certifications and potentially other factors.

City of Greeley's Total Rewards

The City of Greeley is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards program that supports employees in their work by encouraging excellence and investing in employee development and recognition. This philosophy is grounded in fiscal responsibility, organizational effectiveness, and employee safety and well-being, ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources while offering meaningful and comparable rewards. This approach ensures that the city remains an attractive, inclusive, and rewarding work environment, while also effectively serving the community.

Benefits: This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here .

Job Summary

The Drug Task Force Criminalist performs advanced, specialized investigative and analytical work in support of complex drug-related and multi-agency criminal investigations. This position serves as a non-sworn professional resource responsible for evaluating investigative information, identifying evidentiary value, determining investigative direction, preparing affidavits and reports, supporting court processes, and advising on the lawful use and deployment of technical surveillance and investigative systems. The work requires the consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance, including investigative strategy, evidentiary analysis, operational recommendations, legal compliance, and technical resource application. This position’s primary duty consists of advanced investigative, analytical, and operational support work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field, or Colorado POST Certification.
Four (4) years of total relevant experience.
Two to four (2–4) years of progressively responsible experience in criminal investigations, intelligence, forensic support, law enforcement operations, technical surveillance, or a closely related field.
Two to four (2–4) years of experience handling evidence and maintaining chain of custody and integrity of evidence.
Ability to obtain required certifications, including NCIC/CCIC, within established timelines.

OR

Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job,

AND

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Preferred

Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience supporting drug task force, narcotics, intelligence, or [TG1] multi-agency investigative operations.
IP camera networking and fabrication.
Experience with Cellebrite or similar software.
Experience with Title III interception software such as Sytech or Penlik.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of criminal investigations, evidence handling, chain of custody, judicial procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of Colorado Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center requirements and related criminal justice information practices.
Knowledge of surveillance and investigative technologies, including audio, video, tracking, communications, software, hardware, and related systems. Strong analytical and investigative skill, including the ability to interpret records, identify patterns, assess evidentiary value, and support case development.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling sensitive investigations, technical issues, operational priorities, and confidential information.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports, affidavits, summaries, and courtroom documentation.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with law enforcement, attorneys, courts, vendors, and partner agencies.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and adapt to changing investigative and operational demands.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining effective coordination with leadership and partner agencies.
Proficiency in standard office applications and other job-related software and systems.

Travel

Category B-Regular Local/Field Based Travel: This position requires regular travel within the County and nearby cities. Employees frequently travel to field sites, client locations, or other City buildings as part of their job duties. Access to a personal or City fleet vehicle may be required.

Essential Functions

Conducts complex criminal and drug-related investigations involving multiple sources of information, records, interviews, surveillance data, observations, and interagency coordination.
Gathers, verifies, analyzes, and interprets evidence, documents, records, logs, and investigative information to identify relevant facts, patterns, leads, and evidentiary significance.
Determines investigative scope, priorities, timing, and direction, and modifies investigative approach based on findings, legal requirements, and operational needs.
Examines, preserves, and documents evidence while maintaining chain of custody and evidentiary integrity.
Prepares detailed investigative reports, case summaries, affidavits, and supporting documentation for search warrants, arrest warrants, prosecutions, and related court proceedings.
Communicates confidential investigative information with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, attorneys, and other criminal justice partners as appropriate to ongoing investigations and court activity.
Provides testimony and professional support in court proceedings regarding investigative findings, evidence, observations, and case-related determinations.
Provides oversight, guidance, and subject matter expertise regarding technical surveillance, investigative systems, and related operational applications.
Recommends equipment, contracting needs, technical priorities, and resource options; participates in research, development, implementation, and evaluation of investigative technologies and systems.
Assists in operational planning with enforcement personnel to ensure investigative and surveillance systems are deployed effectively, safely, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policy.
Develops, evaluates, modifies, installs, maintains, and coordinates repair or recovery of surveillance and investigative equipment, software, and hardware systems.
Conducts complex criminal and drug-related investigations involving multiple sources of information, records, interviews, surveillance data, observations, and interagency coordination.
Gathers, verifies, analyzes, and interprets evidence, documents, records, logs, and investigative information to identify relevant facts, patterns, leads, and evidentiary significance.
Determines investigative scope, priorities, timing, and direction, and modifies investigative approach based on findings, legal requirements, and operational needs.
Examines, preserves, and documents evidence while maintaining chain of custody and evidentiary integrity.
Prepares detailed investigative reports, case summaries, affidavits, and supporting documentation for search warrants, arrest warrants, prosecutions, and related court proceedings.
Communicates confidential investigative information with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, attorneys, and other criminal justice partners as appropriate to ongoing investigations and court activity.
Conducts site surveys, technical assessments, and analyses related to surveillance and investigative capabilities, system performance, and emerging technology options.
Designs or supports customized audio, video, tracking, and related technical surveillance solutions in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Prepares analyses, long-range recommendations, and cost-benefit information related to surveillance and investigative system use, capabilities, and resource needs.
Provides training and technical guidance to task force personnel and partner agencies regarding investigative and surveillance equipment, systems, and procedures.
Maintains current knowledge of laws, judicial procedures, investigative methods, criminal justice information systems, and emerging technologies relevant to assigned work.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships with partner agencies, vendors, prosecutors, and internal stakeholders in support of task force objectives.
Prioritizes and manages assigned casework and technical assignments independently with limited supervision.
Serves on internal or interagency working groups, committees, or planning teams related to investigative programs, technology, or operational improvement.
Assists with special projects, pilot programs, or process improvement efforts related to investigative support services. This function is inferred from the source language describing research, development, planning, and long-range strategy responsibilities.
Performs other duties as assigned consistent with the general level and nature of the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed indoors and with minimal exposure to the elements.
Work is performed at a fixed workstation and in the field.
Work requires operation of a bucket truck at various heights.
Possible exposure to electrical shock when dealing with high voltage power lines.
Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
Possible exposure to electrical shock while dealing with computer-based evidence.
Assisting with the execution of search warrants at locations away from the station.

Physical Requirements

May lift light to moderately heavy evidence packages from one location to another.
Communication skills enough to hear and convey information to/from the public via phone and in person.
Operates standard office equipment requiring repetitive hand / arm movements.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ADA Statement : We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: [email hidden] .

Conditions of Employment: The City of Greeley is an at-will employer. Employees and the City may terminate employment at any time for any reason. Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE .

[TG1] IP camera networking and fabrication, Cellebrite or similar experience,