Introduction
Are you seeking career growth as DESPP employee? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!
THE ROLE
This position is full-time, onsite, following a first shift schedule, 40 hours per week. As a general recruitment, the Leadership Associate (Managerial) will be recruited to work within the Administrative Section reporting to the Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager.
This Leadership Associate position will participate in a formal development program designed to provide the incumbent with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to qualify for appointment to the designated Forensic Biology and DNA Quality Assurance Manager (MP Pay Plan) classification. During the working test period and development program, the incumbent will work under the guidance of the Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager and senior laboratory leadership to gain progressive responsibility in quality system oversight, accreditation compliance, policy development, audits, corrective actions, and inter-unit coordination specific to forensic biology and DNA operations.
The Leadership Associate will support the quality system for the Forensic Biology and DNA Units while developing the competencies required of the first-level managerial role within the professional confidential series. Upon successful completion of the required development program and minimum working test period, the incumbent will be reclassified to the designated Forensic Biology and DNA Quality Assurance Manager (6401MP) position.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Ensures compliance with the Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) or current laboratory accrediting body, and the International organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC 17025);
- Coordinates, plans and manages quality assurance activities and ensures adherence to all applicable national and international standards for quality in the forensic biology and DNA disciplines;
- Formulates program goals and objectives;
- Develops or assists in the development of related policy;
- Interprets pertinent laws;
- Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of the programs who might impact program activities;
- Oversees development, preparation and maintenance of laboratory standard operating procedures and quality assurance manuals to meet current standards;
- Ensures all Forensic Biology and DNA are staff trained in critical requirements of quality control;
- Monitors quality assurance data and initiates corrective action and/or documentation as required;
- Serves as a key liaison with accrediting bodies regarding inspection activities including attending inspection exit interviews and preparation of response to written inspection reports;
- Oversees compliance in laboratory safety and security standards relevant to Forensic Biology and DNA;
- Performs investigations of quality concerns performing internal audits of laboratory upon direction of the Deputy Director of Forensic Biology and DNA;
- Assists the Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager in managing the laboratory quality program
- Performs related duties as required.
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
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).
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
- 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.
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION:
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 Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@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 incumbents in this class participate in a formal development program designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for appointment to a designated managerial or professional confidential class assigned to the MP Pay Plan.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Participates in a formal development program designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed in order to qualify for appointment and advancement to a designated managerial or professional/ confidential class;
- Performs and/or learns the duties of the designated function;
- Performs and/or learns leadership skills and develops leadership traits;
- Prepares program progress reports;
- Attends managerial meetings germane to designated function;
- Prepares and gives presentations;
- Assists in major projects;
- Participates in budget preparation and management;
- Attends formal training courses;
- Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- May lead special projects;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Considerable ability to
- understand and apply state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- analyze and solve problems;
- effect and manage change;
- plan for and implement excellent customer service;
- learn a new knowledge base in functional area;
- learn and apply policy and procedure;
- Managerial aptitude.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated class at the completion of the development program.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience ensuring ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 and FBI QAS compliance in a forensic biology or DNA laboratory;
- Experience or training related to internal audits for DNA or other forensic disciplines; specifically related to the FBI QAS, ANAB, or ISO-IEC 17025 standards;
- Experience analyzing forensic DNA casework or database samples in an accredited forensic laboratory including implementing related quality control measures;
- Experience participating in or overseeing any special projects related to Quality Control, validations or other topics within a FB or DNA laboratory;
- Experience in performing Quality Control Measures on instruments or reagents and maintaining records of the quality control results within a forensic FB or DNA laboratory.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prior to appointment to this class there must be an approved managerial or professional confidential designated class identified to which the incumbent will be appointed upon successful completion of an approved development program. Incumbents in this class must meet the experience and training requirements of the identified designated class at the end of the development program.
- The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents in this class must work a full-time forty (40) hours per week schedule.
- Incumbents in this class will be eligible for reclassification to the designated class without competitive examination upon successful completion of the development program and satisfactory service. The length of the development program should be designed around the requirements of the designated class and the prior experience of the incumbent but in no case should be less than one (1) year or exceed three (3) calendar years in accordance with C.G.S. 5-234.
- All appointments to this class shall be under terms of an approved development program and in accordance with a time schedule approved by the Department of Administrative Services. 5. No additional working test period shall be required upon successful completion of the development program.
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.