Forensic Technician I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kentucky State Police, invites applications for a Forensic Technician I in Frankfort. This entry-level laboratory role supports forensic analysis tasks, evidence handling, and court testimony preparation in a dynamic laboratory environment.

Graduate with a bachelor's in physical/biological/forensic sciences or related fields; experience not required. Responsibilities include custody of evidence, quality checks, and data entry, with potential overtime and strict

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the physical, biological, forensic sciences, criminal justice, engineering or mathematics.
• Experience, Training, or Skills: NONE (entry level)

Responsibilities

• Learn and apply established procedures, policies, and legal requirements governing receipt, handling, storage, and release of evidence.
• Maintain chain of custody for all evidence handled and transferred.
• Testify in court as needed regarding the security and integrity of evidence handling and documentation.
• Train to perform daily laboratory quality assurance checks (balance calibrations, reagent verifications, instrument calibrations).
• Contact law enforcement for case information and status; request submissions of additional items.
• Under supervision, assist in distributing cases to lab sections.
• Prepare, label, and maintain laboratory reagents and supplies.
• Data entry of case information into LIMS; drive to transfer evidence between labs.
• Conduct audits of evidence rooms.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Procedures knowledge

Court testimony

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, forensic sciences, criminal justice, engineering or mathematics

Job description

Forensic Technician I

Pay Grade: 11

Salary: $40,639.95 Annually

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 40.0 HR/WK

Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Kentucky State Police

Location

100 Sower Blvd Suite 102
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

Kentucky State Police is the premier, full-service law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.With the highest level of professionalism and integrity the Kentucky State Police works to prevent, reduce,and deter crime and the fear of crime; enhance highway safety through education and enforcement; protect andsafeguard individual rights; and provide leadership, training, technical, and operational support to thecriminal justice community.

Kentucky State Police Laboratories provide forensic analysis of evidence for criminal investigations throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. State and local police agencies comprise the majority of the customer base whose evidence is submitted for analysis. Competent support personnel is an integral position at the laboratories. The Forensic Technician I at the Central Laboratory has the responsibility to create a work environment where biologists, chemists, customers, and other personnel can work expertly and efficiently. The perfect candidate will use their skills to ensure the routine functions supporting the laboratory operations are accomplished daily. This position requires testimony as a witness in court.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn and apply established procedures, policies, and legal requirements governing the receipt,handling, storage, and release of evidence.
• Maintain chain of custody for all evidence handled andtransferred.
• Testifies in court as needed as to the security and integrity of the evidence handling anddocumentation.
• Train to perform daily laboratory quality assurance checks for all laboratory sectionsincluding balance calibrations, reagent verifications, instrument calibrations and preparation.
• Contact law enforcement for case information, status of case and court information, and request thesubmission of additional items.
• Under direct supervision, assign and distribute cases to all sections of the lab.
• Author case reportsas necessary.
• Prepare, handle, label, and maintain laboratory reagents and supplies in accordance with establishedprocedures.
• Train to conduct sample preparation steps in certain disciplines for final analysis by forensic chemistsand forensic biologists
• Data entry of case information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Drive to and transfer evidence to and from all of the other six KSP Laboratories in the state.
• Conduct audits of evidence rooms.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to express technical information clearly both orally and in writing when reporting results,testifying or explaining procedures to others.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to learn and apply established procedures, policies, and legal requirements governing thehandling, storage, and release of forensic evidence.
• Ability to communicate effectively, maintain confidentiality, and establish effective workingrelationships with others.
• Ability to learn and apply basic principles of forensic science and related scientific disciplines.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in the physical, biological, or forensic sciences, criminal justice, engineering or mathematics.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: Professional laboratory experience performing routine, non-complex laboratory duties in a forensic laboratory or professional experience in the receipt, storage, and release of evidence at a forensic laboratory or law enforcement agency will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): NONE

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this classification will typically perform their job duties in a forensic laboratory setting. May have some contact with contagious diseases and, or, body fluids or regular exposure to noxious odors, chemical substances, and biohazardous compounds, which may require the following of safety procedures. Regular handling of sharp surgical instruments.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

Contact

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Katrina Featherston at [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D