FINGERPRINT PROCESSING TECHNICIAN APPRENTICE
Because Fingerprint Processing Technician Apprentice is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
The FY 2027 range lands between $44,750 and $64,522, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them at Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Fingerprint Processing Technician Apprentice appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Law & Public Safety.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Law & Public Safety | 3 |
Where this title is used
Fingerprint Processing Technician Apprentice is a common title, so it is used in both State and local service. The local side is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, which set their own pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $48,968. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (3)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under close supervision of a Fingerprint Processing Technician 2 or other supervisory officer in the Automated Fingerprint Identification Unit, State Identification Section, Records and Identification Bureau, Division of State Police; Department of Law and Public Safety, in a two (2) year training program, receives on-the-job training in the work involved in classifying, filing, researching, locating and identifying ten print, latent and partial fingerprints in the possession of the State Police; learns other related work duties as required.
Examples of work
- Successfully completes the training course in the Henry System of Fingerprint Classification Identification interfaced with an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) of fingerprint identification classification.
- Attends classroom instruction on the usage and applications of the various sub-systems, informational software applications, computer systems and networking depositories utilized by the Division of State Police.
- Learns how to monitor the multiple sub-systems utilized by the Division of State Police and to troubleshoot malfunctions that may develop in any of the different information systems.
- Learns how to retrieve transmitted records and review information received from the Fully Integrated Fingerprint Identification System (FIFIS) live scan information network and to contact any contributing agency to provide additional information.
- Under supervision, as an Apprentice, reads interprets and comprehends the fingerprint technical manual, The Science of Fingerprints, published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice, other related journals, subject texts and updates.
- Under supervision, receives instructional formats and follows specific instructions with a regular check on work performance.
- Receives on-the-job training on the identification and classification of fingerprints received from law enforcement agencies and other agency and other sources.
- Learns how to determine patterns types of all fingerprints received from various law enforcement agencies and other requesting sources, and all state "User File" applicant fingerprints for licensing and employment purposes.
- Learns how to operate an Automated Fingerprint Identification System workstation; reviews and inputs specific alphanumeric data from ten-print fingerprint cards or latent evidence submissions received from various agencies and requesting authorities
- Operates a computerized workstation in an automated office environment.
- Observes and learns how to accurately verify fingerprints by using the master database file print or criminal history jacket files.
- Learns how to detect valid minutia points for quality control of fingerprint images, utilizing software-editing techniques.
- Observes and learns how to determine proper database archiving procedures through established unit procedures.
- Observes and learns how to check, classify, index, and file fingerprints in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Learns how to record and log latent and partial fingerprint evidence obtained at crime scenes for identification and verification.
- Assists Fingerprint Processing Technician 2's in verifying current fingerprints by using master database file prints or criminal history files.
- Learns how to conduct quality control procedures to obtain fingerprint imaging displayed on a computer screen to provide database searches and identification reviews.
- Observes fingerprint enhancement training techniques and participates in utilizing an Automated Fingerprint Identification System workstation for technical and operational modes.
- Attends training programs and instructional formatting on fingerprint identification application procedures utilizing the Henry System of Fingerprint Identification and Classification Process and database system depository files.
- Learns how to file, retrieve, locate and return other data according to agency-established policy and standards.
- Follow specific instructions and learns how to interrupt policies and procedures of the agency and user agencies.
- Learns the techniques involved archiving in, retrieving and maintaining fingerprints in database files and depositories.
- Learns how to identify non-matchable fingerprints and prints that are difficult to obtain a clear comparison and composition.
- Learns how to prepare physical inventory of all evidence received, maintains evidence logs, assigns evidence numbers and ensures the continuity, possession, preservation and accountability of evidence and security requirements to maintain physical evidence.
- Learns how to follow procedures and techniques on how to determine suspect fingerprint identification through the comparison of side-by-side imaging of latent of partial prints with ten-point file print displayed on a computer screen.
- Learns the process and procedures of positive fingerprint identification to testify in a court of law about findings and the security procedures used in criminal proceedings.
- Learns how to store, safeguard, secure and properly use related fingerprint equipment, materials and supplies.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recordings and automated information networking systems and related software applications utilized by the agency, section or related work units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Ability to learn how to understand and utilize the four sub- systems and their applications to fingerprint classification and identification procedures.
- Ability to comprehend written, oral and demonstrated instructions utilizing an Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
- Ability to learn how to accurately verify fingerprints by using the master database file system and criminal history files after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to utilize the applications and concepts of the Fully Integrated Fingerprint Identification System live scan workstation operations and software applications.
- Ability to learn how to determine proper database archiving and retrieval procedures consistent with established agency policy after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to apply the techniques of positive identification by utilizing side-by-side imaging and enhancement formatting on a computer screen display after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to enter proper alphanumeric data and other information available from fingerprint cards to maintain the accuracy and security of the database files and depositories after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to utilize computer terminal operations, database systems and file depositories utilized in making computer identification verification, accessing and inputting of fingerprint types and compositions after a period of training.
- Ability to read, understand and learn the agency's policies and procedures regarding acceptance of fingerprint types, cards, evidence composites and the security, preservation, accountability and maintenance of prints and evidence storage requirements.
- Ability to work harmoniously with other members assigned to the various sub-units.
- Ability to perform arithmetic computations.
- Ability to learn how to understand, interpret and apply application of the Henry Fingerprint Identification and Classification System after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to understand and apply the applications of a database filing system, interfaced with the utilization of multi-depository files and enhancement imaging techniques after a period of training.
- Ability to learn how to distinguish differences and similarities in linear configurations and compositions.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recordings and computer information systems and software applications utilized by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- ADVANCEMENT
- Appointees work performance will be reviewed and rated semi- annually during each twelve (12) months of the two (2) year training period. Appointee will be required to successfully complete various courses and classroom instruction and on the job training programs to learn how to utilize the Henry System of Fingerprint Identification Process interfaced with the Automated Fingerprint Identification System applications of fingerprint classification and identification, and the applications and concepts of the Fully Integrated Fingerprint Identification System live scan information network workstation operations. Upon successful completion of the twenty-four (24) month training period, Appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title, Fingerprint Processing Technician I, in accordance with Department of Personnel Procedures.
- The inability of an Appointee recorded in the Finger Processing Technician Apprentice title to attain the required level of performance stipulated in each of the twelve (12) month training periods shall be considered cause for separated from employment.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.