State of Maryland

ASTD17

SKILLED SERVICE      BARGAINING UNIT: H      OVERTIME ELIGIBLE NCP

A Polygraph Examiner is the full performance level of work administering polygraph examinations for the Maryland State Police and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.  Employees in this classification perform professional polygraph services to include pre-employment, criminal and internal investigations for the Maryland State Police, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and allied law enforcement agencies.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions, but may provide technical guidance to lower level Polygraph Examiners.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the designated administrator of the Polygraph Unit of the Maryland State Police, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or other designated administrator. Employees in this classification may be subject to 24 hour on-call duty.  Work is performed in the Polygraph offices located at Maryland State Police barracks or at the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigation Unit.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Polygraph Examiner Provisional and Polygraph Examiner are differentiated on the basis of completion of required training as a Polygraph Examiner and the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these positions.  The Polygraph Examiner Provisional attends required training courses for Polygraph Examiners conducted by the American Polygraph Association, and learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The Polygraph Examiner has completed the required training courses in the State of Maryland for Polygraph Examiners and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. 

Administers computerized pre-employment, criminal and internal investigation polygraph examinations for Maryland State Police, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and allied law enforcement agencies;

Reviews criminal investigation files and reports to determine whether investigative information in criminal cases meets the standard for administering a polygraph examination;

Assesses an examinee’s physical and mental suitability to undergo polygraph testing;

Performs polygraph pre-test interviews with the examinee;

Properly attaches polygraph components to an examinee’s body;

Uses standardized polygraph test techniques, procedures and question formats;

Collects polygraph charts during the test phase of the examination;

Interprets, analyzes and evaluates polygraph charts;

Renders a diagnostic opinion as to the veracity of the subject tested;

Conducts post test interviews and interrogations;

Prepares written reports documenting examination results and pertinent information;

Testifies in court and administrative hearings as an expert witness;

Maintains confidentiality and security of documents produced;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of polygraph interviewing and interrogation techniques;

Knowledge of polygraph chart analysis and interpretation;

Knowledge of scientifically valid and reliable polygraph test formats;

Knowledge of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct established by the American

Polygraph Association (APA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM);

Knowledge of Maryland State Police or Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services standard operating procedures, policies, rules and regulations governing polygraph examinations;

Knowledge of computerized polygraph instruments and software to include Lafayette, Polyscore,
and OSS III;

Skill in interviewing and interrogation techniques;

Skill in operating and maintaining polygraph equipment;

Skill in polygraph chart interpretations in order to render a diagnostic opinion;

Skill in properly administering computerized polygraph examinations;

Ability to exercise judgment through all phases of the polygraph examination and analysis process;

Ability to assess an examinee’s physical and mental suitability to undergo a polygraph examination;

Ability to testify in a court of law as an expert witness;

Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people.

Experience: Five years of experience, three years of experience in criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency, including one year of experience administering Polygraph examinations and two years of additional experience in professional work in law enforcement.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of experience in criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency, including one year of experience administering Polygraph examinations for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university for one of the three years of the required general criminal investigative experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Law Enforcement classifications or Criminal Investigator or Special Agent specialty codes in the Counter Intelligence or Special Investigations field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education every two years, as determined by the American Polygraph Association. Employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Applicants for this classification with the Maryland State Police or the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will be subject to a complete criminal background investigation and polygraph examination before permanent appointment can be made. A criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection of the applicant.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in on a 24 hour basis and must provide a telephone or pager number where they can be reached.

3. Employees in this classification must have access to an automobile for use on official business in the event a State vehicle cannot be provided. Standard mileage allowance will be paid for use of a privately owned vehicle.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulation 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H, Public Safety and Security classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

February 27, 2014

December 29, 2021

Director, Division of Classification and Salary