Task Force Agent

Task Force Agent Schedule: Days and Hours Vary Definition: Under general supervision, performs a variety of drug investigative/law enforcement work associated with more complex and sensitive criminal activities. Essential Functions: Required to make decisions regarding criminal cases, assessing unusual circumstances, determine various approaches and research incomplete or conflicting data. Flexibility and judgement are required to interpret and adapt guidelines within state statutes, department policy, precedents and regulations to each case being called upon. Tasks: Conduct comprehensive criminal investigations for narcotics crimes. Develops and implements community partnerships to reduce and eliminate drug crime and breeding grounds for drug crime. Secures and investigates crime scenes to ensure that the collection, preservation, and handling of physical evidence and property meets established professional and legal standards. Interview/interrogate victims, suspects, and witnesses to obtain and verify information pertinent to the investigation and resolution of a variety of criminal/potentially criminal incidents. Preserve and documents crime scene by processing the scene for all evidence types and taking photographs and/or video of crime scenes or evidence. Gathers information and evidence using a variety of technical surveillance equipment, techniques, and procedures. Identify, evaluate, document, and prepare evidence for the shipment to the crime laboratory. Able to write reports, complaints, affidavits, and other related legal documents regarding the progress of the investigative process, in required format and with correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Review crime reports to remain aware of property reported as stolen, recent thefts, and other crimes that may relate to discoveries made in during task force investigations and remain knowledgeable of criminal offenders and their modes of operation. Prepare cases, with prompt disclosure, for court and be able to testify in all court hearings i.e.: grand jury, preliminary hearings, jury trials, suppression hearings and sentencings and others. Collaborate and cooperate with medical experts and District Attorney recommendations, field officers, and other police and related agencies and remain aware of other entities essential to the investigation. Work may involve the direction of Patrol Officers/Deputies at crime scenes, working undercover, preparing execution plans and assisting or directing narcotic enforcement activities. Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Other Characteristics: Knowledge of problem-solving techniques and methods Knowledge of City of Artesia ordinances/State statues to be enforced. Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices, including investigation, identification, and custody of persons and property. Knowledge of the equipment used in law enforcement, including weaponry, evidence processing tools, and communications. Ability to marshal community resources outside and inside the law enforcement community and deconflict investigations. Ability to develop community and neighborhood partnerships. Ability to develop and manage informants. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement/regulatory agency/organization staff, city officials, criminal justice system staff, and the public. Ability to understand and interpret complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards. Skill in conducting investigations of criminal activities. Must be able to be trusted with confidential information, large sums of money, and high value items. Qualifications: Applicant must be 21 years of age at time of hire. Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent. Applicant must pass a rigid background check. Applicant cannot have been convicted of any felonies, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. Applicant cannot have a conviction for Driving While Intoxicated (D.W. I.) within the past three years. Applicant cannot have a conviction for Domestic Battery. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Applicant must pass a post-offer pre-employment physical, psychological and vision examination. Applicant must pass rigid drug screen requirements. Must possess and maintain certification as a State of New Mexico Police Officer or be approved for certification via the NMDPS Certification by Waiver course. Must be a United States citizen. Must live or relocate to within (70) miles of the city limits within ninety (90) days of hire. Must have three (3) years' full-time (non-probationary) experience in law enforcement as a sworn officer. Advanced training or formal education in investigations, narcotics, photography, interviews and interrogation accredited by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety or obtained through a reputable provider of such training is preferred. Physical Functions: Ability to sit for up to eight hours per day with the opportunity to stand and walk intermittently. Ability to walk up to four hours per day with the opportunity to stand and sit intermittently. Ability to stand up to two hours per day with the opportunity to sit and walk intermittently. Ability to bend at waist and twist/rotate waist, crouch, climb, kneel, crawl, and remain in a prone position during crime scene processing or in an emergency situation. Ability to carry ten pounds on waist and four pounds on chest for a full shift. Ability to work with arms bent and extended throughout the workday. May be required to work with arms extended for a longer period of time during an emergency situation or while on a crime scene. Ability to push and pull with arms up to fifty pounds with force during an emergency situation. Ability to twist/rotate arms during an emergency situation. Ability to lift and carry such items as fire extinguisher, first aid kit, evidence kit, ballistic shield, and shotgun to and from vehicle as needed. These items weigh up to fifty pounds. May be required to lift and carry animals and people during an emergency situation. Ability to push and pull with legs with a force of up to fifty pounds plus, twist and rotate legs, and balance on feet during an emergency situation. Ability to operate assigned vehicle with automatic transmission. Ability to grasp and manipulate objects with hands and perform five finger dexterity movements throughout the workday. This hand work requires good hand-eye coordination and may require bilateral coordination of hands throughout the workday. Working Conditions: Performs duties both inside and outside of a control environment. The amount of time spent inside a controlled environment versus outside such an environment will vary depending on the case load assigned, the duty assignments given as a team member conducting an investigation and the types of crimes being investigated. Employees are commonly exposed to temperature extremes and other environmental extremes to include biohazards and chemical hazards depending on the weather, and location of the work assigned. Agents specifically commonly deal with hazardous drugs and drug paraphernalia. Employees are commonly exposed to intermittent noise factors such as sirens, gunfire, and loud voices. In addition, employee may be exposed to intermittent body exertion such as shooting firearms, off-road travel, physical confrontation, running and climbing. Employees may be exposed to the following hazardous conditions: Physical confrontation, driving hazards, high speed chases, animals, gunfire, rescue attempts in difficult terrain, and remote possibility of hazardous materials spill/environments. Employee may be exposed to exhaust fumes, human and animal odors, dusts, and mists. Employee may work on even carpeted/tiled floors, concrete, and asphalt. Employee may also work on uneven ground, which could be natural ground. Employee may be required to climb stairs, ladders, work on inclines or ramps, and catwalks or scaffolding. The working surface may be dry, wet, or slippery. Employee may work alone with or without direction, may work with one or two other people, and at times may work with a large group of people. Employee will be working in and around blood, semen, urine and other possible biohazards. May be required to travel and be away for extended periods on short notice. Equipment, Tools, and Materials: Utilizes the following tools and equipment: Computers and computer software, cell phone, radio, unmarked vehicle, camera, copy machine, firearm, shotgun, flashlight, handcuffs, shackles, lights/siren/PA system, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher. Employee uses the following work aids: Gas masks/respirators, reflective vest, bullet-proof vest, helmet, hearing/eye protection, flashlights, measuring/monitoring/analysis devices, breaching tools and specialty software