Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Research Analyst to work within the Toxicology unit within the Chemical Analysis Section of the Division of Scientific Services.
If you have experience in interpreting data and communicating research findings in a law enforcement, or related, environment, we invite you to apply to this opportunity!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- SCHEDULE: This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday through Friday.
- LOCTION: On-site position, centrally located in Meriden, CT.
- NOTE: This is a grant funded position with an end date of September 30, 2026.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes:
• Excellent health and dental coverage;
• A generous retirement plan;
• Paid time off;
• A healthy work-life balance!
YOUR ROLE
In this role, you will work alongside lab professionals, forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed.
Training may include the following:
- Fulfilling information requests from the public or other government agencies or organizations;
- Submitting data to required federal government agencies;
- Creating trends reports based on driving under the influence data;
- Generating monthly statistical reports to fulfill grant related reporting for driving under the influence cases;
- Analyzing existing research to improve data analysis and reporting;
- Creating additional reports as required;
- Presenting data to the public, law enforcement, and stakeholders verbally, and through written reports;
- Other duties as assigned.
More details can be found in the class specification and the 'Examples of Duties' section below.
ABOUT US
Our Agency Mission
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.
The Division of Scientific Services
The Division of Scientific Services provides forensic support to local, state and federal agencies throughout Connecticut. This division is divided into three analytical sections. They are the Chemical Analysis section (including toxicology, controlled substances, and chemistry), the Forensic Biology/DNA section, and the Identification section (including computer crimes).
The laboratory also has two non-analytical sections which include: the Quality section and the Laboratory Support Services section (including administration, evidence receiving, and case management).
A Message from our Commissioner
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.
1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence • Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data • Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve • Constantly seeking better results
2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility • Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources • Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests • Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges
3. Ethics and Accountability • Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies • Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement • Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments • Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways
START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Selection Plan
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT
Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
- State Employees: Two (2) most recent performance evaluations and a completed CT-HR-13 form.
- Non-State Employees: Two (2) professional references contact information (Name, Email and Phone Number) and a completed CT-HR-13 form.
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum.
Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records. Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Samantha Rivera via email, Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in research design and implementation.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Develops and implements formal research projects and assists in these activities on more comprehensive and complex research assignments;
- Analyzes, interprets and prepares data in a variety of ways;
- Prepares narrative and statistical reports;
- Develops computerized databases and analyzes and interprets computer generated reports;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- research methods and techniques;
- statistics;
- Skills
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- analyze data;
- develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform data analysis;
- understand agency related policies and procedures as they relate to research.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Six (6) years of professional experience in research, data analysis or economics.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training may be
substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester
hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4)
years for a Bachelor's degree.
- A Master's degree in
economics, statistics or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1)
additional year of the General Experience.
- Successful completion of a
Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of
Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Outlook;
- Experience cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting data;
- Experience writing statistical code for data cleaning and analysis using statistical software including R, SAS, and Crystal Reports;
- Experience presenting the findings of interpreted data and data analysis projects to law enforcement agencies;
- Experience communicating research findings, through presentations and written formal documents, from statistical analysis to professionals with and without statistical knowledge, as well as to the general public.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196
of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of
positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single
title for administrative purposes. As
such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or
responsibility.