Forensic Scientist 2 - Forensic Quality Assurance Associate

SNA International; Dover (DE); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Scientist 2 – Forensic Quality Assurance Consultant to join our team. This role supports the Management System, audits, SOP reviews, and education activities in the QA structure, with potential expert witness testimony as required.

Hybrid position based out of Dover, DE; onsite work required as needed, with remote support as circumstances allow. Strong background in accreditation and DNA analysis is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in biology, chemistry, or forensic science with 9 related DNA-analysis courses.
• FBI QAS Auditor certification and ANAB auditor training.
• Knowledge of DoD DNA Operations and related military services.
• Understanding nucDNA and mtDNA profiling techniques.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in forensic science and accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead assessor during internal audits of the laboratory.
• Serve as SME for the Quality Manual, Management System, and accreditation.
• Organize annual SOP reviews and maintain archives.
• Assist in writing/editing lab documents for accreditation compliance.
• Perform external audits of other laboratories as needed.
• Present QA findings to the Quality Manager and management.
• Manage QA folders and analyze QA data quarterly.
• Lead or assist special QA projects.

Skills

Auditing expertise

DNA analysis knowledge

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry/forensic science

9 credit hours in biology/chemistry-related courses

FBI QAS Auditor certification

ANAB auditor training

DoD DNA Operations knowledge

ASCLD/LAB accreditation knowledge

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Job description

SNA International seeks a bright, collaborative Forensic Scientist 2 – Forensic Quality Assurance Consultant with a strong work ethic to join our team. SNA International’s team works together in pursuit of the same cause: build a safe and just world by empowering organizations in the use of forensics, biometrics and identity intelligence.

The Forensic Scientist 2-Forensic Quality Assurance Associate will assist remotely or in person as needed in the development, operation, and maintenance of the Management System at the direction of the Quality Manager. The individual will administer the quality assurance program, will act as subject matter expert for auditing and accreditation activities, and will assist with standard operating procedure review as well as support for training and education activities in the Quality Management Section. The individual may testify as an expert witness as required; provide technical assistance in bioinformatics, information technology and laboratory automation; and support the logistical or resource management activities of the DoD DNA Operations. They will participate in the organization and presentation of educational activities. The FS2 may perform analytical casework duties in support of mission goals of individual casework sections.

This is a hybrid position based out of Dover, DE. The selected candidate will have to report onsite as needed.

Critical Work Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Act as lead assessor, unless otherwise assigned by Quality Manager, during internal audits of the laboratory against accreditation standards, annually and as needed.
• Act as subject matter expert for the laboratory Quality Manual, Management System, and laboratory accreditation.
• Aid in the organization and tracking of the annual review of SOPs and other Quality Manual documents to assess the status and effectiveness of the process and to identify improvement opportunities; acts as database manager and maintain hardcopy archives for reference purposes.
• Assist in the writing, reviewing, and editing of laboratory documents as needed, particularly with regards to compliance with accreditation standards.
• Perform external audits of other laboratories as a volunteer representative of a national accrediting body in coordination with work priorities at AFDIL.
• Participate in Management System meetings and chair as appropriate; present research and findings on topics specified by the Quality Manager or required for maintenance and improvement of the Management System of AFDIL.
• Acts as Quality Assurance subject matter expert and database manager:
• Initiate, track, and administratively review quality assurance folders.
• Analyze quality assurance data for trends and present a detailed analysis to the Quality Manager at least quarterly and as needed. Prepare presentations and reports of such data to be presented to Key Management as needed and/or included in the Quality Manual.
• Act as liaison for Quality Management Section records maintenance.
• Provide assistance to personnel within their Office/Division on the maintenance, management, and disposition of records.
• Assist in educational and training activities remotely.
• Lead or assist with special projects as needed.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Analysts must have documentation of a bachelor’s (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree in a biology-, chemistry- or forensic science- related area (also see experience requirements below). Documents must show that at least 9 cumulative semester hours or equivalent (graduate or undergraduate level) course work in biology- or chemistry-related areas that provide an understanding of the foundation of DNA analysis, that may include courses titled with terms such as molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, biological chemistry, population genetics, molecular genetics, cell and molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics.
• Hold certifications as an FBI QAS Auditor as well as certified auditor or assessor training from a national accrediting body such as ANAB.
• Knowledge of the programs of the DoD DNA Operations and the military services as they relate to the clerical and administrative functions of the organization.
• General knowledge of forensic tissue typing methods, especially nucDNA and mtDNA profiling.
• Willingness to maintain a professional knowledge and understanding of relevant current issues in the scientific and forensic communities.
• Professional knowledge and understanding of the principles and theories of, and the skills to operate and maintain a wide variety of sophisticated analytical instruments.
• Ability to apply practical and theoretical knowledge to independently alter or modify established analytical procedures using scientifically acceptable approaches to resolve unforeseen difficulties arising from analyses of DNA derived from tissues retrieved from unusual or unexpected environmental conditions.
• Sufficient level of competence in order to argue, reason, and draw inferences and conclusions from technical information, experimental data and scientific theories, and to prepare effective oral and written presentations.
• Personality traits necessary to maintain good team cohesion and to set a good working example.
• Knowledge of various requirements necessary for achieving accreditation by outside inspection agencies to include the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors-Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB), ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the DoD Mitochondrial DNA Quality Assurance Oversight Committee, and the International Standards Organization (ISO 17025 criteria).
• Individual must be able to successfully complete a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I) background investigation. The position does not require a security clearance but the individual may be required to obtain a government security clearance at a future date if handling classified information or materials.
• Must be able to understand the capabilities, limitations, and interpretive results from the following complex technical procedures:
• Preparation and processing of samples for DNA Analysis from extraction through analysis.
• Application of PCR procedures to amplify target template DNA.
• Separation of DNA fragments, including mtDNA amplification and sequencing products, using vertical, horizontal, capillary, and other electrophoresis systems, and various stationary matrixes such as agarose and polyacrylamide gels.
• Sequence analysis of the mtDNA genome.
• Training in statistics and or population genetics for computation of population frequency statistics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.
• Analysis and interpretation of DNA typing results as applied to determining the statistical relevancy of DNA profile matches between questioned and reference samples when both are derived from the same individual, or, in the more complex situation, when the reference samples are derived from blood relatives.

SNA International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.