Forensic Analyst

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Public Service at the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences seeks a Forensic Analyst to support evidentiary intake and processing in a high-volume administrative setting. The role emphasizes attention to detail, adherence to protocols, and strong customer service in a regulated environment.

Successful candidates will work at the state-of-the-art FSCC in North York, Toronto, contributing to the administration of justice and public safety programs across Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Receive, document, and handle forensic evidence items submitted from investigating agencies across Ontario.
• Ensure evidence items and documentation follow CFS policies and acceptance guidelines.
• Cross reference incoming and outgoing evidence for completeness and accuracy.
• Use LIMS and software to record receipt of evidence and upload case information.
• Initiate the chain of custody for all items and record evidence transfers.

Job description

$1,171.91 - $1,393.37 Per week*

*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Do you have experience working in a routine, high throughput environment? Are you systematic in your work and able to follow protocols, yet confident and capable of solving problems on your own initiative when required? If you value quality and enjoy working within a team supporting the broad objectives of a large organization, we invite you to apply for the role of Forensic Analyst with the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences. Do not let the title of this position deter you.

The role of a Forensic Analyst at the Centre of Forensic Sciences is largely administrative in nature, requiring exceptional attention to detail and customer service skills. And while we are looking to attract people who are comfortable handling potentially biohazardous materials a background in science is not a prerequisite for this position. Forensic Analysts play a vital role receiving, processing, and returning evidence that has been submitted to the Centre of Forensic Sciences pursuant to the investigation of crimes against property and person and to support the Ontario Coroner's system.

This work includes discussing submissions with investigators and providing clear, accurate and timely advice. Forensic Analysts operate at the point-of-entry for all downstream forensic examinations, and they are responsible for establishing the initial chain-of-custody of evidence and items received. Failure to maintain the integrity of evidence upon receipt can result in miscarriages of justice and as such we are seeking people who are highly disciplined when working in a busy environment, who thrive doing repetitive work within an accredited and regulated workplace, and who value supporting the administration of justice and public safety programs in Ontario.

In return successful candidates will benefit from working at the state-of-the-art Forensic Services and Coroners Complex (FSCC) in North York, Toronto, within a supportive and progressive organization of approximately 300 staff, with opportunities to develop personally and professionally over the course of a fulfilling career providing critical public services.

Note:The results of this competition may be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill current and upcoming opportunities within the next 14 months following the competition completion.

About the job

• Receive, document, and handle forensic evidence items submitted from investigating agencies across Ontario.
• Ensure that evidence items and associated documentation are submitted in accordance with CFS policies and acceptance guidelines.
• Cross reference incoming and outgoing evidence against appropriate documentation to ensure all information is complete and accurate and that all necessary documentation has been provided.
• Use a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and ancillary software to record receipt of evidence and to upload relevant case information.
• Ensure evidence items are properly packaged and uniquely identifiable.
• Initiate the chain of custody for all items and record evidence transfers.
• Follow documented evidence handling and processing procedures.
• Confer with CFS section managers and staff regarding specific requirements in non-standard cases and when processing priority cases.
• Advise investigators, coroners, and other law enforcement officials on the protocols, practices and guidelines for the acceptance, collection, handling, storage, submission, disposal and return of evidentiary items.

What you bring to the team

Administrative Skills

• You have demonstrable experience working in a routine high-volume administrative environment.
• You can adhere strictly to administrative policies, procedures and protocols.
• You have demonstrable organization skills to determine work priorities, effectively manage time and respond to client and CFS staff needs in an environment of changing administrative pressures.
• You have knowledge of administrative procedures to process invoices, order supplies, and update inventory and asset control.
• You can prepare and proofread correspondence and other documents.

Analytical and Problem‑Solving Skills

• You can accurately assess the acceptability, relevance and completeness of evidence samples on receipt, determine case priorities and, when applicable, the sequence of examinations between CFS sections.
• You can recognize non‑conformances and take independent action to resolve them.

Communication Skills

• You have demonstrable written, oral and interpersonal communication skills to effectively interact with fellow staff, managers, clients and external vendors.
• You can maintain confidentiality when required.
• You have written communication skills to compose letters while ensuring accuracy in grammar and spelling.

Knowledge

• You have a general understanding of quality assurance practices and accreditation.
• You are able to gain and retain knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation standards specifically for forensic laboratories related to receipt, handling, storage and documentation of exhibits and evidence samples.
• You have a general understanding of health and safety practices and procedures to ensure safe handling and preservation of biological material.
• You are able to gain and retain knowledge of these practices and procedures specifically for forensic evidence samples.
• You have the ability to gain a general knowledge of the disciplines of forensic science and the scientific work of CFS sections in order to assess the acceptability and completeness of submitted evidence samples and to appropriately distribute items for analysis.

Computer Skills

• You have experience using computer software programs including word-processing, spread sheets and databases (e.g. Word and Excel) to the extent that you can enter and retrieve information and produce materials such as reports, tables and correspondences.
• You possess sufficient computer literacy to learn new task-specific computer applications.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti‑racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti‑Racism Policy

• 1 English Permanent, 25 Morton Shulman Ave, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check
• About security checks:A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities. If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out‑of‑country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in. Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.

Language requirements and assessment: All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.