State of Maryland

ASTD16

SKILLED SERVICE       BARGAINING UNIT: H      OVERTIME ELIGIBLE NCP

A Polygraph Examiner Provisional is the entry 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.

Employees in this classification receive close 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 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.

Learns to administer 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;

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

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

Learns to perform polygraph pre-test interviews with the examinee;

Learns to properly attach polygraph components to an examinee’s body;

Learns to use standardized polygraph test techniques, procedures and question formats;

Learns to collect polygraph charts during the test phase of the examination;

Learns to interpret, analyze and evaluate polygraph charts;

Learns to render a diagnostic opinion as to the veracity of the subject tested;

Learns to conduct posttest interviews and interrogations;

Learns to prepare written reports documenting examination results and pertinent information;

Learns to testify in court and administrative hearings as an expert witness;

Learns to maintain confidentiality and security of documents produced;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of polygraph interviewing and interrogation techniques;

Skill in interviewing and interrogation techniques;

Ability to learn polygraph chart analysis and interpretation;

Ability to learn scientifically valid and reliable polygraph test formats;

Ability to learn the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct established by the American Polygraph Association (APA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM);

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

Ability to learn to use computerized polygraph instruments and software to include Lafayette, Polyscore, and OSS III;

Ability to operate and maintain polygraph equipment;

Ability to learn polygraph chart interpretations in order to render a diagnostic opinion;

Ability to learn to properly administer 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: Four years of experience, two years of experience in criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency 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 two years of experience in general criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university for one of the two years of 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.

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 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