CBI Forensic Scientist III (Biological Sciences) - Statewide.

State of Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 95,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Colorado—Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Services, seeks a Forensic Scientist III to analyze physical evidence, maintain chain of custody, and testify as needed in criminal cases. The role emphasizes accuracy, ISO/IEC 17025 compliance, and collaboration with law enforcement partners.

Work is primarily in-person in the laboratory setting with potential for occasional remote options depending on the role. Competitive benefits apply to permanent employees.

Qualifications

• ISO/IEC 17025 compliance and quality requirements.
• Evidence handling and chain of custody procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain chain of custody and security of evidence at all times.
• Perform proper handling and secure storage of evidence; ensure safety standards are followed.
• Conduct technical reviews of casework thoroughly and timely.
• Provide expert courtroom testimony and advisory support in qualified disciplines.

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Department Information

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

While the full salary range for this position is listed, this position will be hired within the salary range $94,572-$108,941.16.

n eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision

Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values

Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!

Careers With a Purpose

If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!

We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery.

You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!

When you join CDPS, you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired, motivated and supported to become the best you can be.

Classification And Salary

FORENSIC SCIENTIST III

Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,881 - $9,078.43/month; $94,572 - $108,941.16/year

Full Salary Range: $7,881 - $11,035/month; $94,572 - $132,420/year

Unmatched Benefits

We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training and enriching professional development opportunities and a wide range of benefits.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.
• Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer unmatched retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Description Of Job

About the Work Unit

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services maintains four operational forensic science laboratories throughout the state: Denver, Pueblo, Grand Junction and Greeley. Forensic Services is responsible for the scientific analysis of physical evidence collected from crime scenes. The role of our scientists is to evaluate and examine the evidence using the latest state of the art techniques, and objectively testify for the prosecution or defense for the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that we serve. In order to best serve the citizens of Colorado, we strive to build and maintain partnerships not only with law enforcement agencies but also within the communities we serve.

Work Environment

• Primarily in-person office/laboratory setting; sedentary role. Core hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Following initial training, occasional work-from-home options may be available, though duties remain primarily lab-based.

About The Job

The Forensic Scientist III is the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services (CBIFS) technical expert in a specific forensic discipline(s) or sub-discipline(s). This position is responsible for the preservation, analysis and interpretation of physical evidence collected in criminal cases for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The Forensic Scientist III must perform all technical and administrative aspects of the work at the highest level of quality, ensuring the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 are met. Technical aspects of this position include, but are not limited to: proper handling and secure storage of evidence, chain of custody requirements, laboratory safety and all facets of casework. Administrative aspects include, but are not limited to: evidence tracking, entering accurate and complete case documentation into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other data information systems, and accurate, factual and timely report writing detailing the findings of the analysis. Additionally, this position may be called to provide expert courtroom testimony, serve in an advisory capacity within their qualified discipline(s)/sub-discipline(s), and train and mentor newer employees. The Forensic Scientist III serves as a liaison with all law enforcement partners of the CBIFS and must demonstrate the highest level of customer service, both internally and externally.

This individual must demonstrate competency by successfully passing established proficiency test(s) and through continued skills-based training and professional development. This position is responsible for regularly advising and assisting Forensic Scientist I/II level personnel, providing expert guidance as it relates to all technical, administrative and customer service aspects of the forensic scientist position.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Duties

• Ensures the integrity of evidence by maintaining the chain of custody and security of the evidence at all times.
• Equipment and instrumentation necessary to perform the technical analysis must be utilized properly and efficiently, and all quality checks on this equipment must be performed in a timely, accurate manner. Ensures that all chemicals, reagents, solvents and standards needed to perform the analysis meet or exceed the quality requirements, and ensure that all safety standards and appropriate precautions are taken.
• Technical reviews of casework must be conducted thoroughly, systematically and in a timely manner.
• This individual can be called upon by management to work cases that are complex in