Forensic Scientist (Crime Scene)

DC Government; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Government in Washington, DC seeks a crime scene investigator to support field investigations, collect and preserve evidence, and prepare detailed reports. The role includes assisting with scene sealing, fingerprint collection, laboratory analyses, and participation in autopsies as needed.

You will testify in court and ensure safety-sensitive protocols are followed. The ideal candidate has a degree in biological sciences or related fields, or a combination of education and experience, and can

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines relevant to the position.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable; specialization in related area preferred.
• Specialized experience in crime scene processing and evidence handling is required or highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Receives training in and investigates crime scenes across the city, assisting with sealing the scene to preserve evidence.
• Collects fingerprints, palm prints, tire/shoe impressions, tool marks, firearms, hair, clothing, fibers, and other evidence; analyzes scene-evidence relationships.
• Performs chemical and photographic processes in field or lab settings.
• Attends autopsies to fingerprint the deceased and collect relevant evidence.
• Advise on evidence collection, assess hazards in field and lab, especially in homicide cases.
• Testifies in court regarding evidence and analyses conducted.
• Prepares detailed reports and manages evidence documentation and barcoding.

Skills

Evidence handling

Court testimony

Laboratory procedures

Education

Biological sciences degree or related

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receives training in and/or investigates assigned crime scenes in various locations in the city; assist with sealing the crime scene to protect and preserve important evidence.
• Receives training in and/or collects fingerprints/palm prints, tire and shoe prints, tool mark impressions, firearms, hair, clothing, fibers, and biological evidence or any other physical evidence deemed necessary; analyzes and records crime scenes showing correlation between evidence and the scene.
• Performs various chemical and photographic processes in the field or laboratory.
• Receives training in and/or attends autopsies to fingerprint the deceased for identification purposes, and collect relevant physical evidence.
• The incumbent advises on the collection of evidence in each case, including those involving deaths, especially when homicide is suspected; evaluates risks concerning or identifying hazardous materials in the field and the laboratory.
• Testifies in court in connection with the evidence processed, developed, and preserved as well as any examinations or analyses performed.
• Prepares detailed reports and supplements; accepts documents, and bar-codes evidence associated with each crime scene case.

Qualifications and Education

• A Degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Or

• Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition, applicants must have specialized experience. Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licensure and Certifications

None – However, incumbent must be able to successfully complete the DFS Crime Scene Sciences Competency Testing. Certification from the International Association for Identification is preferred.

This position’s duty station will be housed within the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory (CFL) which is a protection-sensitive facility. As such, incumbents of this position are designated as safety-sensitive and shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, and other requirements as applicable.Due to the handling of primary evidence, the applicant will be required to submit a buccal swab for the purposes of the DNA Quality Control database for the DFS.

The nature of the DFS mission necessarily involves the potential risks associated with biological or chemical hazards, including morgue functions. Although contact with these functions is intended to be minimal, the risks are nevertheless possible; training to recognize, address, and mitigate these risks is required as is dealing with potentially personally difficult topics, such as crime, death, and disease.

Work is performed in the field at the crime scenes; in the laboratory during the analysis, and autopsies, as well as in an office setting when preparing documentation/reports, etc. Also work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements and travel/walk over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces. The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials, toxic substances, and blood borne pathogens and is required to follow safe field and laboratory practices and wear protective clothing, including facial masks, safety glasses, gloves, etc. May be exposed to various objectionable material (e.g., pornography, etc.). The work may require the incumbent to be in unstable locations necessitating the wearing of a ballistic safety vest. The position requires the use of electronic communication devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, communication radios, and wireless computers.

Other Significant Facts

• Tour of Duty: Shift, weekend, and holiday work is required. Overtime before or after the daily tour may be required. Mandatory overtime (scheduled or unscheduled) may be required.
• Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0401/0301-09
• Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
• Type of Appointment: Career Service (CS) - Regular Appointment
• Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement, National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-05, and you may be required to pay an agency service fee (union dues) through direct payroll deduction.
• Position Suitability: This position has been deemed Safety-Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, you must successfully pass a criminal background and drug and alcohol screening as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks, background investigations, and drug tests for the duration of your tenure.
• Position Designation: This position has been designated as Essential and acceptance of this offer confirms you agree to adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding essential/emergency employees. As an essential employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).
• Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
• EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.