Forensic Scientist (Forensic Chemistry)

Duties

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs forensic chemistry and surveillance analyses on physical evidence or samples; interprets test results, conducts comparisons of unknown samples to known reference standards, develops conclusions and prepares final reports/results; completes technical review of peers’ work. Prepares written scientific examination reports based on laboratory results by interpreting instrumental data and spectra; maintains quality assurance/quality control of equipment and instruments that are utilized for testing and ensure they are compliant with prescribed operating and safety standards, regulations and guidelines including manufacturer's specifications on computerized scientific equipment.
• Completes an advance research project and/or performs a vital role in the overall operation of the unit by independently performing a high-level task such as training and/or overseeing training of scientists, developing and validating new processes and procedures, or overseeing bio surveillance program.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, Computer Forensics or Forensic Psychology

Requirements

Basic Requirements

• Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. OR Combination of education and experience - course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience, or additional education.
• Bachelor's or an advanced degree in a chemistry or physical sciences, or life sciences or forensic science-related area is highly desired. Shall have a minimum of five (5) years of experience reporting the interpretation of controlled dangerous substances and/or surveillance samples in casework preferred.

Working Conditions/Environment

• 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 shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, 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 work environment includes office setting, laboratory conditions, training facility, and courtrooms. The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials, toxic substances, blood borne pathogens, and is required to follow safe laboratory practices and wear protective clothing, including facial masks, safety glasses, gloves, ear protection, etc.
• 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.

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