Introduction
Position Highlights
- The Forensic Science Examiner 1 will work within the Forensic Biology Unit.
- In this role, you will conduct full-process examinations while working alongside lab professionals, forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed. More details can be found in the class specification and the Examples of Duties section below.
- This position is full-time, onsite, 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday through Friday.
- The Forensic Science Examiner 1 will receive training in Forensic Biology techniques. Training may include the following:
- Examination of submitted evidence and completion of written and electronic documentations;
- Performing serological screening and confirmatory analysis of body fluids;
- Collect evidentiary samples for DNA analysis;
- Conduct DNA testing of evidentiary samples;
- Prepare comprehensive reports; provide explanations and interpretations of results;
- Testify in court as an expert witness;
- Perform related duties, as required.
About Us
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
Selection Plan
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.
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Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees
- Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
- Completed CT-HR-13
- Cover letter
- A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)
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. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.
Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.
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 Nick Naples at Nicholas.Naples@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific
Services this class is accountable for independently performing a full range
of tasks receiving, examining and conducting complex analyses of physical
evidence resulting from all manners of criminal actions.
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) SECTION: Incumbents
are responsible for performing complex analysis of forensic biology evidence
such as nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SECTION: Incumbents are
responsible for performing complex analysis of evidence such as latent
fingerprints, electronic/digital imaging, firearms, ballistics, toolmarks,
questioned documents, imprints and investigating electronic related criminal
activity.
TOXICOLOGY SECTION: Incumbents are
responsible for performing complex analysis of forensic biology
evidence such as trace, physical, chemical samples, autopsy specimens, body
fluids, hairs, fibers and identification of suspected poisonous substances.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Examines submitted evidence and completes a written description;
- Photographs evidence;
- Removes trace materials from evidence for analysis in areas of
criminalistics and identification;
- Conducts complex criminalistic forensic analysis of evidence
utilizing conventional wet chemistry methodologies and/or technical
instrumentation relating to gas chromatography, ultra/violet spectrophotometry,
atomic absorption spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform
infrared spectroscopy, emission spectrography, liquid thin layer and column
chromatography, electrophoresis, scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, alternate light sources, photographic
equipment and computer technology;
- Assists in reconstruction of crime scene;
- Conducts forensic identification in areas of documents, firearms
and latent fingerprints;
- Maintains instrumentation and equipment and safeguards laboratory
physical evidence;
- Participates in research programs;
- Conducts on-scene collection and preservation of evidence;
- Handles materials and samples before and after analysis in order
to maintain them for safekeeping;
- Prepares comprehensive reports;
- Provides explanations and interpretations of results;
- Testifies in court as an expert witness;
- May assist in training laboratory staff and law enforcement
personnel;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- modern methods utilized in crime scene processing and evidence
identification;
- applicable techniques and procedures for analyzing evidentiary
materials;
- physical laboratory instrumentation, documents, firearms,
fingerprints and reconstruction techniques;
- Skills
- oral and written communication skills;
- interpersonal skills;
- Ability to
- conduct laboratory analysis;
- utilize computer software;
- act as an expert witness in a court of law;
- utilize computer software.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Six (6) years of experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience required 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 forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
- A Ph.D. in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for 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
- Professional experience with aseptic handling of forensic evidence;
- Professional experience conducting forensic serological testing and forensic evidence screening;
- Experience with general DNA techniques including extraction, quantitation, amplification or capillary electrophoresis injection;
- Experience working in a forensic science laboratory using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS);
- Experience with report writing as it pertains to forensic DNA testing;
- Experience with courtroom testimony as it pertains to forensic DNA testing.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be conducted before persons are certified for permanent appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.
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.