Forensic Biology and DNA Quality Assurance Manager

Calling all Forensic DNA professionals who are ready to make a positive impact in Connecticut and beyond!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Forensic Biology and DNA Quality Assurance Manager to join our team at the Division of Scientific Services. 

If you have experience working in a lead capacity, overseeing DNA activities of professional science laboratory personnel, we invite you to read more and learn about this unique opportunity in state service.

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.

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECITCUT 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more!

In addition, the State as an employer puts an emphasis on:

• Providing limitless opportunities;
• Hiring for diversity and fresh perspectives;
• Performing meaningful work and;
• Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!

New to Connecticut? Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about our great state here. 

YOUR ROLE

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!

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for directing a comprehensive program of quality assurance and monitoring compliance activities of the Forensic Biology and DNA section.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply quality management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • processing of Nuclear DNA techniques;
  • forensic biology techniques;
  • nationally and internationally accepted standards for certification of forensic laboratories including the FBI-QAS, ANAB, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards or current accreditation board standards;
  • applications of laboratory science in quality management in such laboratories;
  • biological and chemical sciences;
  • development and application of quality assurance principles to laboratory practice;
  • statistics used to track and evaluate laboratory quality;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to train all levels of personnel in laboratory quality, safety and security requirements.

A Master's degree in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or a closely related field and two (2) years of professional experience performing analysis in a DNA laboratory or in the forensic analysis of evidentiary material with significant experience in DNA.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead capacity overseeing DNA activities of professional science laboratory personnel.

• Experience leading and maintaining ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 and FBI QAS compliance in a forensic biology or DNA laboratory;
• Experience conducting internal audits and participation in managing external forensic assessments;
• Experience analyzing forensic DNA casework or database samples in an accredited forensic laboratory including implementing related quality control measures;
• Experience supervising staff or programs in a forensic biology or DNA unit;
• Experience reviewing, writing, and updating quality system documents, including Procedures and work instructions.

• Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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 appointment.

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.