Forensic Scientist II (DNA)

Arizona Department of Public Safety; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced Forensic Scientist II with a DNA specialization to examine, identify, and evaluate evidence using advanced techniques and instrumentation. The role includes preparing technical reports, providing expert testimony, and training other scientists.

You will work on complex cases in the Phoenix area, stay current with scientific advancements, and collaborate with law enforcement and legal personnel.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory.
• Bachelor's Degree in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with chemistry coursework as specified.
• Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.
• Progression to the next classification requires an overall performance rating of at least 'Standard' in the last 12 months.
• Must successfully complete the examination process.

Responsibilities

• Examines, identifies, and evaluates suspected evidence using chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques.
• Prepares technical written reports documenting analyses and results.
• Attends pre-trial conferences and provides expert testimony in courts throughout the state.
• Discusses laboratory test results and evidence collection with officers and attorneys.
• Remains current on scientific advancements in the forensic field and applies appropriate methodologies.
• Responds to crime scene incidents to gather, preserve and move evidence to the lab for analysis.
• Researches problems associated with routine methods of analyses.
• Provides general scientific information in response to questions from staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to other forensic scientists and trains new staff.

Skills

Laboratory instrumentation

DNA analysis

Trace evidence handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry with relevant chemistry coursework

Job description

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as a Forensic Scientist II specializing in the DNA discipline. Utilizes chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques and instrumentation to examine, identify and evaluate physical evidence which may include: controlled dangerous substances; blood, urine, and other biological specimens; firearms; questioned documents; latent prints; trace evidence; and other items of evidentiary value. Prepares technical reports; provides expert testimony in court; provides technical advice and guidance to and trains other forensic scientists; recommends revisions to analytical methodology and purchase of scientific equipment; serves as an experienced casework analyst working complex cases within the discipline and performs related tasks as required. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist. This may be a competitive OR a progressive classification.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eighteen-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies in Phoenix area.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

NOTE: Transcript copies (official or unofficial) are required with your application.

If you have a disability which may require an accommodation, please notify human resources in writing prior to the test date.

1. Examines, identifies, and evaluates suspected evidence which may include blood, semen, hair, fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, questioned documents, fire accelerants, soils, firearms, latent prints, drugs, poisons, alcoholic beverages, etc. Utilizes physical, chemical, microscopic, photographic, comparative, classification, computer, molecular biology, chromatographic and visualization techniques and instrumentation which may include gas chromatography, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, infrared spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray, variable wavelength forensic light sources, spectrofluorimetry, and immunoassay.
2. Prepares technical written reports in order to document scientific analyses and results.
3. Attends pre-trial conferences, prepares exhibits for courtroom use, and provides expert testimony in courts throughout the state.
4. Discusses laboratory test results and evidence collection with officers and attorneys.
5. Remains current on scientific advancements in the forensic field through technical publications, presentations and training in order to apply appropriate methodologies.
6. Responds to crime scene incidents in order to gather, preserve and move items of evidence to crime lab for further analysis.
7. Researches problems associated with routine methods of analyses.
8. Provides general scientific information in response to questions from Department staff, other agencies and the public.
9. Provides technical advice and guidance to other forensic scientists with difficult analyses.
10. Trains new forensic scientists in laboratory methodology and in skills required to attain courtroom qualification.

Knowledge of:

1. principles and analytical procedures of chemistry, biology (including molecular biology), toxicology, criminalistics, fingerprints, questioned documents, or related sciences.
2. basic uses and effects of controlled substances.
3. hazards and toxicity of chemicals.
4. statutes and case law applicable to assigned forensic discipline and use of physical evidence in court.
5. rules of criminal procedure concerning time limits, discovery, evidence and expert witnesses.
6. crime scene procedures.
7. techniques for processing items of evidence at crime scenes.
8. mathematics related to analyzing scientific data.
9. coaching and training techniques to provide technical advice, guidance and training.

Skill in:

1. operating laboratory instruments, equipment and computer systems related to areas of responsibility.

Ability to:

1. define problems, establish facts, interpret information and draw valid scientific conclusions.
2. recognize minute differences in shape and form.
3. chemically identify and quantitate compounds such as drugs, diluents and poisons.
4. interpret scientific data to establish statistical probabilities of origin of biological and commercial products.
5. effectively communicate findings of scientific tests both orally and in writing.
6. testify and undergo intense examination in court.
7. perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
8. read and interpret scientific materials.
9. conduct, and evaluate scientific research.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May be exposed to fumes or dust, bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals or materials that transmit infectious disease (e.g., AIDS, Hepatitis B), are corrosive, carcinogenic, or explosive.

May be required to move items up to twenty (20) pounds.

Must be able to respond to crime scenes and court appearances as needed.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.

Four (4) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory.

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with either a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in chemistry, or a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry with completed coursework in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry; and demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline.

Additional forensic scientist experience beyond the required four (4) years may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours).

Progression to the next classification in the Forensic Scientist series requires an overall performance rating of at least "Standard" in the last 12 months.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt