Polygrapher PT

Summary

Job Title

Under general supervision, this position interviews and conducts polygraph examinations. Reports to a Police Sergeant.

Job Description

Interviews and conducts polygraph examinations for applicants seeking employment with the city's police department and/or haveaccess to criminal offender record information; conducts interviews to resolve or clarify discrepancies; develops interrogation format specific to applicant to determine if responses are truthful or deceptive; analyzes and interprets results using polygraph charts and prepares comprehensive written reports to summarize findings. Performs routine maintenance and upkeep of polygraph instruments and tape recordings; uses polygraph equipment and techniques to determine the validity of responses; analyzes interviewee's physical status such as gestures, breathing patterns, agitation, and mannerism in response to background, and criminal, professional or personal inquiries, testifies in court, completes official reports or documentation of results and safeguards and maintains files in filing system. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of interviewing and interrogation methods, techniques and laws. Knowledge of polygraph principles, practices, and equipment and the physiology and psychological principles involved in polygraph examinations. Knowledge of the basic mechanics and functions of polygraph instruments and the physiological phenomena they record. Knowledge of court procedures and current rules of evidence. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; analyze the results of the examination and make a determination that the examinee is truthful or deceptive.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Communications, Criminology, Journalism, Psychology, Criminal Justice or a related field and 4-5 years of experience as a Polygraph Examiner. Must have a certificate of completion of instruction provided by a polygraph school accredited by the American Polygraph Association. An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check. Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check; and a sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

Physical Demands

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computer, adding machine, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants. Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatical form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of legal and professional terminology. Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle and operate a variety of items; operate a multichannel polygraph instrument, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Job Description

Job Title

Under general supervision, this position interviews and conducts polygraph examinations. Reports to a Police Sergeant.

Job Description

Interviews and conducts polygraph examinations for applicants seeking employment with the city's police department and/or haveaccess to criminal offender record information; conducts interviews to resolve or clarify discrepancies; develops interrogation format specific to applicant to determine if responses are truthful or deceptive; analyzes and interprets results using polygraph charts and prepares comprehensive written reports to summarize findings. Performs routine maintenance and upkeep of polygraph instruments and tape recordings; uses polygraph equipment and techniques to determine the validity of responses; analyzes interviewee's physical status such as gestures, breathing patterns, agitation, and mannerism in response to background, and criminal, professional or personal inquiries, testifies in court, completes official reports or documentation of results and safeguards and maintains files in filing system. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of interviewing and interrogation methods, techniques and laws. Knowledge of polygraph principles, practices, and equipment and the physiology and psychological principles involved in polygraph examinations. Knowledge of the basic mechanics and functions of polygraph instruments and the physiological phenomena they record. Knowledge of court procedures and current rules of evidence. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; analyze the results of the examination and make a determination that the examinee is truthful or deceptive.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Communications, Criminology, Journalism, Psychology, Criminal Justice or a related field and 4-5 years of experience as a Polygraph Examiner. Must have a certificate of completion of instruction provided by a polygraph school accredited by the American Polygraph Association. An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check and sex offender registry check. Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check; and a sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

Physical Demands

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computer, adding machine, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, telephones, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things. Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants. Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence. Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatical form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of legal and professional terminology. Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs. Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment. Requires the ability to handle and operate a variety of items; operate a multichannel polygraph instrument, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Does not require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress. Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.