STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Forensic Science Examiner 1 (40 Hour)

Recruitment #240422-2583FP-001

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Introduction



Looking for a career in the field of forensic science?
Check out this opportunity below!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting a permanent Forensic Science Examiner 1 position to join our team within the Computer Crimes Unit in the Division of Scientific Services located in Meriden, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings.
  • Sick, vacation, and personal leave.
  • A pension plan, (the State Employees Retirement System Tier IV).
  • Student Loan Forgiveness - the State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
  • We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Discover the opportunity to: 
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • Engage in a rewarding career.
  • Assist our employees so they can achieve success.
  • Make a difference in the public sector.
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

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 Connecticut here. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position with a first shift schedule, Monday through Friday.

This is a general-funded position located within the Identification Section of the Division of Scientific Services.

This position will work within the Identification Section performing laboratory support for scientific personnel in the Computer Crimes Unit. This position will primarily include the examination and analyses of evidentiary evidence of criminal cases.

This position will work within the Computer Crimes Unit performing analysis on digital devices. Please note that this position requires the examination of sensitive images pertaining to child exploitation.

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 and the Examples of Duties section below.

We are seeking individuals with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or advanced degree in Forensic Science, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

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.

For an inside look at what it is like to be a Forensic Science Examiner for DESPP, watch the video below!
 

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:  Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Before you apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. 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 not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.
Important information for after you apply:
Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

State Employees
  • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations;
  • Cover letter;
  • Completed CT-HR-13.
Non-State Employees
  • Two (2) professional letters of reference from a current and/or previous supervisor;
  • Cover letter;
  • Completed CT-HR-13.
Additionally:
  • 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. 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. 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.  
  • 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 questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: 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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Questions about this position should be directed to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@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

  • Experience in forensic analysis of firearms or latent prints or electronic media;
  • Experience in interpretation of electronic data;
  • Experience in the analysis of electronic data using extraction software;
  • Experience in using filters to sort data;
  • Experience in recognizing digital file types and researching players or metadata.

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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