STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Forensic Science Examiner 1 (40 Hour)

Recruitment #230316-2583FP-001

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Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Forensic Science Examiner 1 to join our team within the Division of Scientific Services. 

If you're dedicated to interpreting and analyzing data in a laboratory setting, we invite you to apply!

As a State Employee you will benefit from our competitive benefits plan, including: 

  • 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 healthy work-life balance to all employees!

    POSITION DETAILS

    • This positions is full-time, 40 hours per week
    • Centrally located at the Forensic Science Lab in Meriden, CT 
    • First-shift schedule, Monday through Friday with the potential for part-time telework 
    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. 

    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 arson), 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). 

    If you'd like to learn more about our division and our sections, please visit our webpage. 

    YOUR ROLE 
    The Forensic Science Examiner 1 will be assigned to the Laboratory Support Services section of the laboratory but may be cross trained within any one of the following sections: Forensic Biology/DNA, Chemical Analysis, or Identification depending on current needs at the time of hire. 

    In this role, you will conduct full-process examinations while working alongside other lab professionals, forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners, as needed. More details can be found in the class specification.  

    Learn more about what it's like to be a State of Connecticut employee:
                                      

    Selection Plan

    This is a competitive recruitment, open to the public.

    TO APPLY

    • Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
    • Please ensure that your application and professional experience is thorough and complete. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

    WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU APPLY

    Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

    This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

    At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

    NOTES FROM THE AGENCY

    Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

    • Current State Employees: Two (2) most recent performance evaluations, and a completed CT-HR-13 form.
    • Non-State Employees: Two (2) professional references contact information (including: 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.

    Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in the selection process.

    CONTACT INFORMATION

    Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.

    Should you have any questions about the position, please contact Samantha Rivera, Human Resources Specialist – Talent Solutions at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov

    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 evidence 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

    • Received college credit for completion of coursework in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Statistics or Population Genetics;
    • Experience with general DNA techniques (e.g., extraction, quantitation, amplification and capillary electrophoresis injection);
    • Experience interpreting and analyzing data as it pertains to forensic DNA testing;
    • Experience with report writing as it pertains to forensic DNA testing;
    • Experience with courtroom testimony as it pertains to forensic DNA testing;
    • Experience with analytical instrumentation (thermal cyclers, genetic analyzers);
    • Experience with automated sample handling (i.e. robotics) 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.




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