Forensic Science Examiner 2 (40 Hour)

Position Highlights

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

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: 

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• 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.

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for acting as a working lead of a section consisting of specialized activities and conducting a variety of highly, advanced technical and complex tests in the analysis of physical evidence.

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most 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 acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as trace, physical, chemical samples, autopsy specimens, body fluids, hairs, fibers and identification of suspected poisonous substances.

• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff and laboratory operations; 
• Provides staff training and assistance; 
• Determines priorities and plans unit work; 
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures and quality assurance/control programs; 
• Develops or makes recommendations on the development of policies and standards; 
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; prepares complex comprehensive reports and correspondence; 
• Maintains instrumentation and equipment and safeguards laboratory physical evidence; 
• Maintains chemicals, supplies and inventory; ensures laboratory safety; 
• Conducts proficiency testing and participates in internal audits; 
• Attends court trials to evaluate testimony of subordinates; 
• Represents the laboratory as a scientific expert in court and before legislative bodies; 
• Participates in or leading advanced scientific research related to forensic science disciplines; 
• Contributes to building and facility security as part of laboratory operations; 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • current laboratory facilities, methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;
  • modern methods of criminal investigations and identification;
  • applicable techniques and procedures for analyzing evidentiary materials;
  • physical laboratory instrumentation, documents, firearms, fingerprints and crime reconstruction techniques;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • independently conduct technical, analytical, consultative and research activities;
  • utilize computer software;
  • act as an expert witness in a court of law on complex and sensitive cases;
  • reconstruct crime scenes;
• Supervisory ability.

Seven (7) years of experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the full working level independently performing complex forensic analysis of evidentiary material.

• 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 one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience in the forensic analysis of biological specimens using High Resolution Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry;
• Experience designing and performing method development within a forensic setting;
• Experience in training and mentoring forensic toxicology analysts;
• Experience managing and completing tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

• 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 permanent appointment.

Incumbents may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

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.

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.