Police Forensic Scientist - I/II/III - Toxicology and Controlled Substances

Duties

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

Forensic Scientist I

• Examines, identifies, interprets, and evaluates suspected evidence which may include narcotics, dangerous drugs, toxicology, serology, DNA, trace, firearms, and latent print processing information.
• Provides general scientific information as requested.
• Compares analytical findings with known standards. Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
• Provides expert testimony in court.
• Comprehends and follows detailed, highly technical oral and written instructions to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports and records. Prepares and presents detailed reports.
• Distinguishes the full range of color spectrum to perform forensic examinations.

Forensic Scientist II

• Examines, identifies, interprets and evaluates suspected evidence which includes narcotics, dangerous drugs and toxicology, serology, DNA, trace, firearms, latent print processing and comparison, AFIS entry and searches and arson samples.
• Provides general scientific information as requested.
• Compares analytical findings with known standards. Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
• Provides expert testimony in court.
• Comprehends and follows detailed, highly technical, oral and written instructions to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports and records. Prepares and presents detailed reports.
• Prioritize own casework load.
• Distinguishes visually the full range of the color spectrum to perform forensic examinations.

Forensic Scientist III

• May serve as the discipline technical leader.
• Technical leader duties include development and maintenance of discipline procedure and training manuals, oversight of training of new personnel, quality assurance, validation and development of new procedures and technical troubleshooting.
• The technical leader must regularly review their assigned laboratory discipline specific work product and must be available for consultation.
• The technical leader will propose new or modified methods and document their approval of all validation and current methods utilized by their assigned discipline.
• The technical leader is responsible for the technical problem solving and oversees training and quality assurance for the discipline.
• With consultation from the section manager, quality assurance manager / laboratory director, the technical leader has the authority to suspend and resume analytical operations for that discipline and recommend suspension of work for an individual working within that discipline.
• The technical leader will be involved in implementing corrective actions to ensure findings resulting from an audit have been appropriately resolved.
• Provides general scientific information as requested.
• Compares analytical findings with known standards. Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
• Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
• Provides expert testimony in court.
• Comprehends and follows detailed, highly technical, oral and written instructions to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports and records. Prepares and presents detailed reports.
• Prioritizes own casework load.
• Inspects and evaluates equipment, objects, information, and work-related conditions to determine compliance with prescribed operating and safety standards, regulations, and guidelines including manufacturer's specifications on computerized scientific equipment and national laboratory accreditation standards.
• Conducts research and analyzes data to perform scientific examinations.
• Distinguishes visually the full range of the color spectrum to perform forensic examinations.

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

Requirements

Forensic Scientist I: (full salary range - $69,409.60 - $93,787.20)

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, or related physical science or natural science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related subjects from an accredited educational institution.
• An equivalent combination of education and job-related experience may substitute for the educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Forensic Scientist II: (full salary range - $76,544.00 - $103,438.40)

• A Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, or related physical or natural science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related coursework from an accredited educational institution.
• Four years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
• Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.
• An equivalent combination of education and job related experience may substitute for the educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Forensic Scientist III: (full salary range - $87,796.80 - $119,683.20)

• A Bachelor's Degree in a physical or natural science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours of chemistry related coursework from an accredited educational institution.
• Eight years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
• Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.
• An equivalent combination of education and job related experience may substitute for the educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Equivalency Statement:

• Any equivalent combination of education and/or job-related experience that meets the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

• Preference for experience in Controlled Substances and/or Toxicology.
• Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.
• Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.

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