Employment Opportunity
Forensic Scientist 2 and Forensic Scientist 1 - Chemistry
Idaho State Police, Jerome, Idaho
Salary: $25.20 - $50.05 per hour
Final Filing Date: May 19, 2024
This announcement will be used to fill a full-time state funded position in controlled substance analysis. These will either be Idaho State Police (ISP) Forensic Scientist 2 (FS2) or ISP Forensic Scientist 1 (FS1) positions as an underfill in the newly announced Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) forensic science laboratory in Jerome Idaho. The selected candidate for this position will be required to complete training in the Coeur d’Alene laboratory. This training period will be at minimum 6 months up to a maximum of 2 years before transferring to the permanent duty location in the Jerome laboratory. No housing or per diem allowance will be provided for the training period required for these positions. It is not anticipated that moving expenses will be provided when the positions transfer from Coeur d’Alene to Jerome. If you are interested in being considered for the position in Jerome, you must apply under this announcement.
The ISP FS2 position is the second level in a series of increasingly technical forensic science positions, possessing expertise in one or more forensic science specialty areas. Incumbents are expected to meet requirements and successfully undergo routine proficiency testing and certification specific to their discipline. Pay range for the FS2 is $29.03 to $50.05 per hour.
The ISP FS1 is an entry-level position, which will work under the direct supervision of a more experienced Forensic Scientist. The incumbent will be certified as an ISP FS2 upon successful completion of a specified training program and two (2) years experience in the FS1 position (or) demonstration of meeting the minimum qualifications and qualifying work experience of an FS2 position and a six-month probationary period of 1,040 hours. Pay may be adjusted accordingly at the time the incumbent is certified as a FS2. Pay range for the FS1 is $25.20 to $39.38 per hour.
Candidate will be required to obtain specialty certification by the American Board of Criminalistics in Drug Analysis or Fire Debris and Explosives within three (3) years of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 2 position.
Incumbents routinely handle toxic/carcinogenic chemicals and biological hazards. Circumstances may require physical exertion and the ability to lift heavy objects.
Example of Duties Forensic Scientist 2
Scientific Analyses- All duties of the Forensic Scientist 1
- Conduct complex examinations of evidence and/or individual characteristic database samples
- May optionally respond to crime scenes, and autopsies to provide assistance, knowledge and expertise; this may include assistance with recognizing, documenting, and collecting evidence/samples. If approved for crime scene response must complete the specialized training program associated with approval to respond.
- Complete any required training on new techniques or instrumentation
- Train Forensic Scientists 1 in the utilization of analytical techniques and methods of scientific analyses utilized in the specific discipline
- Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence
- Provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, and general public
- All duties of the Forensic Scientist 1
- Interpret findings for prosecutors and defense attorneys
- Prepare attorneys for presentation of expert's findings
- Testify as an expert witness in trials and other criminal hearings
- Qualified to offer opinions and answer hypothetical questions
- Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence; provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, medical personnel and general public as assigned
- Respond to supervisors, technical leaders and headquarters staff for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits
- Provide statistical information
- Create goals, objectives, and employee development plan
- Performs screening and confirmation of drug samples and/or fire evidence utilizing chemical, microscopic and instrumental analyses
- Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation for controlled substances
- Authors reports on controlled substance and/or fire debris analyses
- Performs technical review of controlled substance and/or fire debris reports
- Testifies in court about controlled substance and/or fire debris analysis
Example of Duties Forensic Scientist 1
Scientific Analyses- Employ various methods of scientific analysis to make determinations regarding samples submitted as evidence in criminal cases or for individual characteristic database entry
- Assume responsibility for and maintain the integrity of evidence
- Interpret scientific data and ensure validity
- Author and issue laboratory reports
- Perform technical review and/or technical verification or others work
- Maintain established standards of laboratory cleanliness, safety, and efficiency
- Perform routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment
- Maintain specific levels of proficiency and certification in assigned discipline(s)
- Demonstrate proficiency through routine proficiency testing
- May optionally respond to crime scenes, and autopsies to provide assistance, knowledge and expertise, this may include assistance with recognizing , documenting , and collecting evidence/samples for analysis. If approved for crime scene or clandestine laboratory response must complete the specialized training program associated with approval to respond
- Work closely with advanced forensic scientists to complete the discipline specific specialized training program
- Acquire new skills and improve techniques, perform scientific analysis per the current laboratory protocol, gain greater knowledge of scientific instrumentation
- Provide detailed explanations/testimony regarding the methods of analysis performed and communicate and support the results of analysis
- Demonstrate concepts and teach cutting-edge technology in courtroom settings
- Educate officers, attorneys, and investigators
- Instruct in the proper techniques and procedures used to collect, maintain, and submit evidence
- Respond to supervisors, technical leaders and headquarters staff for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits
- Provide statistical information
- Create goals, objectives, and employee development plan
- Performs screening and confirmation of drug samples and /or fire evidence utilizing chemical , microscopic and instrumental analyses.
- Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation for controlled substances
- Authors reports on controlled substance and/or fire debris analyses
- Performs technical review of controlled substance and /or fire debris reports
- Testifies in court about controlled substance and/or fire debris analysis
Minimum Qualifications ISP Forensic Scientist 2:
Education:- A Forensic Scientist 2 must hold a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree in a physical or biological science from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.
- Acceptable institutions are those accredited by or those which have pertinent educational programs accredited by commissions or agencies recognized by the U.S. Office of Education
- The education of each employee shall be verified prior to being hired by Forensic Services
- A copy of the college transcript (including specific required coursework) and proof of graduation for all personnel with education requirements listed must be provided to ISPFS. Successful completion of a course means a college or university defined passing grade.
- Must have successfully completed a minimum of seventeen (17) semester (or 26 quarter) units of college level chemistry course work. Chemistry coursework must include laboratory and cover general chemistry, organic chemistry and quantitative/instrumental analysis (coursework hours as required/stipulated by the current ISPFS Quality Manual)
- Two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the specified discipline. Qualifying work experience includes:
- Working independently, planning, managing, and prioritizing caseloads or individual characteristic database samples (as applicable), successfully engaging in independent research, evaluation, and validation activities
- Performing and documenting a range of examinations regarding forensic evidence
- Providing training and consultation services to professional criminal justice and scientific audiences
- Testifying as an expert regarding the forensic examinations performed in the specified discipline
- Must have a minimum of two (2) years ' experience performing forensic analysis of controlled substance or fire debris casework
- Will be required to obtain specialty certification by the American Board of Criminalistics in Drug Analysis or Fire Debris and Explosives within three (3) years of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 2 position.
- Bachelor of Science or an advanced degree in Chemistry.
- Experience performing independent study/research activities
- Membership in a professional forensic science organization
- Certification with the ABC, AFTE, ABFT, or IAI
- Training or experience in fire analysis
Minimum Qualifications ISP Forensic Scientist 1:
- A Forensic Scientist 1 must hold a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree in a physical or biological science from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.
- Acceptable institutions are those accredited by or those which have pertinent educational programs accredited by commissions or agencies recognized by the U.S. Office of Education.
- The education of each employee shall be verified prior to being hired by Forensic Services
- A copy of the college transcript (including specific required coursework) and proof of graduation for all personnel with education requirements listed must be provided to ISPFS. Successful completion of a course means a college or university defined passing grade
- Must have successfully completed a minimum of seventeen (17) semester (or 26 quarter) units of college level chemistry course work. Chemistry coursework must include laboratory and cover general chemistry, organic chemistry and quantitative /instrumental analysis (coursework hours as required /stipulated by the current ISPFS Quality Manual)
- Bachelor of Science or an advanced degree in Chemistry
- Experience working as a scientist in a professional laboratory environment
- Experience performing independent study /research activities
- Work study or internship experience in a forensic laboratory
- Certification with the ABC, ABFT, AFTE or IAI
- Training or experience in fire analysis
Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!
How to apply: Apply online 
Posted: April 10, 2024
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