Forensic Science Examiner 2

State of Connecticut - DESPP Div of Scientific Svcs; Cheshire (CT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Healthy work/life balance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness-elig

Job summary

The Division of Scientific Services within the State of Connecticut’s DESPP seeks a Forensic Science Examiner 2 in Cheshire, CT. The role leads a digital forensics unit, coordinating complex analyses, QA, and court testimony.

Responsibilities include training staff, setting priorities, and interfacing with other agencies. Strong communication and supervisory skills are essential for success in this onsite, 40-hour workweek.

Qualifications

• Seven years of experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material.
• One year at the full working level independently performing complex forensic analysis.
• College training in forensic science or related field may substitute for experience per CT rules.

Responsibilities

• Plans unit workflow and priorities.
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work.
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures.
• Provides staff training and assistance.
• Testifies in court as an expert witness.
• Oversees quality assurance/control programs.

Skills

Staff supervision

Technical writing

Court testimony

Forensic science knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Training staff

Laboratory policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in forensic science

Master's degree in forensic science or closely related field

Ph.D. in forensic science or closely related field

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Introduction

Are you seeking career growth within the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity! The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for a Forensic Science Examiner 2 to work within the Division of Scientific Services, assigned to the Digital Forensics Unit’s ICAC Unit, located in Cheshire, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

This position is full-time, onsite, 8:00am – 4:30pm, 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday through Friday.

DUTIES:

• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff and laboratory operations;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Determines priorities and plans unit work;
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures and quality assurance/control programs;
• Develops or makes recommendations on the development of policies and standards;
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
• Prepares complex comprehensive reports and correspondence;
• Maintains instrumentation and equipment and safeguards laboratory physical evidence;
• Maintains chemicals, supplies and inventory; ensures laboratory safety;
• Conducts proficiency testing and participates in internal audits;
• Attends court trials to evaluate testimony of subordinates;
• Represents the laboratory as a scientific expert in court and before legislative bodies;
• Participates in or leading advanced scientific research related to forensic science disciplines; Contributes to building and facility security as part of laboratory operations;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

• Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures;
• Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• Extensive knowledge of current laboratory facilities, methods, equipment, instrumentation and material used in forensic analysis;
• Proficiency in the methods of criminal investigations and forensic identification;
• Expertise in the examination, analysis, and interpretation of evidentiary materials using appropriate scientific techniques;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively within and across teams;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and present findings clearly;
• Ability to conduct complex technical, analytical, and research activities independently;
• Proficiency with relevant computer software and laboratory information management systems (LIMS); Ability to provide expert testimony in court on complex and sensitive forensic matters;
• Demonstrate ability to oversee staff performance, training, and workflow management.

ABOUT US

The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence

Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data

Challenging the 'that's the way it's always been done' construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve

Constantly seeking better results

2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility

Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources

Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests

Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges

3. Ethics and Accountability

Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies

Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement

Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments

Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

The Division of Scientific Services serves as the forensic laboratory for the State of Connecticut, providing critical support to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the state. The Division is structured into three primary analytical sections:

Chemical Analysis Section – encompassing toxicology, controlled substances, and general chemistry.

Forensic Biology/DNA Section – specializing in the analysis of biological evidence and DNA profiling.

Identification Section – including firearms/toolmarks, latent prints and digital/computer crimes analysis.

In addition, the Division is supported by two non-analytical sections:

• Quality Section – responsible for maintaining laboratory accreditation and quality assurance standards.
• Laboratory Support Services Section – which includes administration, evidence receiving, and case management functions.

Together, these sections work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of high‑quality forensic services in support of Connecticut’s criminal justice system.

Purpose of Job Class (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for acting as a working lead of a section consisting of specialized activities and conducting a variety of highly, advanced technical and complex tests in the analysis of physical evidence.

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of evidence such as latent fingerprints, electronic/digital imaging, firearms, ballistics, toolmarks, questioned documents, imprints and investigating electronic related criminal activity.

TOXICOLOGY SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as trace, physical, chemical samples, autopsy specimens, body fluids, hairs, fibers and identification of suspected poisonous substances.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
• Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
• Ensures that evidence is being processed in correct sequence;
• Oversees implementation of quality assurance/control programs in an area of expertise;
• Formulates, designs and oversees research projects;
• Acts as a technical resource expert for laboratory when highly complex and technical forensic analysis is required;
• Reconstructs or assists in reconstruction of complex crime scenes;
• Maintains instrumentation and equipment and safeguards laboratory physical evidence;
• Prepares comprehensive complex reports;
• Testifies in court as an expert witness;
• Trains laboratory staff and law enforcement personnel on newly developed procedures and techniques;
• Develops and implements new technical procedures utilizing new or current instrumentation or technology;
• Oversees validation testing for all new procedures implemented;
• May make recommendations on policies or standards;
• May prepare reports and correspondence;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of current laboratory facilities, methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;

Modem methods of criminal investigations and identification;

Applicable techniques and procedures for analyzing evidentiary materials;

Physical laboratory instrumentation, documents, firearms, fingerprints and crime reconstruction techniques;

Skills

Interpersonal skills;

Oral and written communication skills;

Ability to independently conduct technical, analytical, consultative and research activities;

Utilize computer software;

Act as an expert witness in a court of law on complex and sensitive cases;

Reconstruct crime scenes;

Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the full working level independently performing complex forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Forensic Science Examiner 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience required on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

A Master's degree in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

A Ph.D. in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in forensic analysis of electronic media including cellphones and computers;
• Experience in interpretation of electronic data;
• Experience in the analysis of electronic data using extraction software including Cellebrite and Magnet GrayKey;
• Experience with computer networks and hardware;
• Experience in recognizing digital file types and the interpretation of metadata;
• Experience in evaluating media for categorization of child sexual abuse material.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours.

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be conducted before persons are certified for permanent appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all‑inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.