CRIMINALIST I, DNA - Grant Funded

Recruitment #2202-6321-001

Introduction

Founded in 1960, the Tucson Police Department Crime Laboratory is one of the oldest crime laboratories in Arizona and was one of the first municipal crime laboratories in the United States to gain national accreditation by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors-Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD-LAB). The mission of the crime laboratory is to provide our community with quality forensic science and excellent service.

The TPD Forensic Biology (DNA) section supports our State-of-the-Art Crime Laboratory by extracting DNA using Polymerase Chain Reaction and analyzing DNA collected from various items to include, but not limited to weapons, bedding, clothing, hair roots, and fingernails. This position will produce reports, present findings and conclusions of DNA evidence to courts of law.

'This position is funded, as needed, by a recurring federal grant that is renewed annually contingent upon availability of government funding. A grant funded employee may, subject to provisions provided for by Civil Service rules, be transferred, promoted or demoted into a non-grant funded position and become subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing other city employment. Permanent classified employees who have previously completed a probationary period in a non-grant funded position and are serving in a grant funded position are exempt from the requirements of this section. 

This is an exciting opportunity to support the Tucson community and to work with a collaborative team that supports the Tucson Police Department in examining evidence to verify and prove facts for resolution of criminal investigations.

Join our team today!

**The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and our visitors.  In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to your initial HR representative, or you must request an exemption from your representative. New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the City of Tucson.**

General Description

Performs scientific analysis of physical evidence, prepares written reports and provides expert testimony. Other duties include quality assurance, maintenance and utilization of scientific instrumentation.

Essential Functions

Performs scientific analysis of physical evidence by using chemical, instrumental and comparative techniques meeting the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board requirements, responding to crime scenes, documenting findings through extensive note taking and photographic methods, writing technical reports and providing expert testimony.

Processes evidence by logging the evidence into a computerized tracking system, and analyzing, repackaging and returning evidence to storage in a manner that maintains the integrity of the evidence and the safety of the individual with regards to blood borne pathogens and other toxins.

Oversees general instrument maintenance by performing troubleshooting of laboratory instruments, conducting periodic quality assurance and quality control checks including running standards and performing general maintenance in accordance with the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board requirements.

Provides expert testimony by discussing laboratory results with officers and attorneys, attending pre-trial conferences and testifying in court.

Remains current in scientific advancements in the forensic field by reading technical publications, making presentations, attending training seminars and providing general scientific information to personnel and agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Level & Type: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Experience Qualifications: No experience

Special Job Requirements

Successful completion of competency and proficiency tests

Arizona Criminal Justice Information System Network Terminal Operator Certification

Minimum Education Type must be in biology, chemistry, or forensic science related area

A minimum of three courses totaling at least nine semester or equivalent credit hours in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology and must have successfully completed coursework covering statistics and/or population genetics.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in an accredited Forensic DNA laboratory as a case-working DNA analyst (not counting time in-training)

Experience with Qiagen Extraction Robotics such as EZ1, QiaCube, Qiasymphony  (not counting time in-training)

Experience with Life Technologies products such as Quant Trio, 3500CE, Globalfiler (not counting time in-training)

Experience with “STR Mix” Probabilistic Genotyping software (not counting time in-training)

Selection Plan

As part of the online application process all applicants are required to submit their unofficial transcripts under the "College Transcript or Degree" tab AND resume under the "other" tab or email both documents to TPD_HR@tucsonaz.gov prior to the close date of the job posting.  Please ensure your application contains the required documents prior to submission.

Applications received without unofficial transcripts and resume will be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile and the response to the supplemental questions. The highest scoring applicants will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview.

  • Oral Board interviews will be held: April 19, 2022 - April 21, 2022

Applicants invited to the virtual oral board interview will be invited to participate via Microsoft Teams. Applicants will need to ensure they have a web camera, microphone, and a reliable internet connection to participate in the virtual oral board interview process. 

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment List that will be used to fill vacancies occurring within the next (6) months. An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service List will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:

  • 30% of your rating for education and work experience
  • 70% of your oral board interview

The highest scoring candidates placed on the Civil Service Employment List may be invited to participate in a selection interview. If candidates are invited to the selection interview, they will be asked to participate via Microsoft Teams.

  • Selection interviews will be held: May 5, 2022 - May 6, 2022 

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must upload your documentation as part of the application process or email it to tola.barker@tucsonaz.gov. The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.  

If you are in need of Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please call Tola Barker at (520) 837-7768 at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.

Candidates placed on the Civil Services Eligibility List will be subject to the following:

  • An extensive background investigation, including local, state and national criminal and fingerprint checks 
  • Driving History 

Conclusion

You are highly encouraged to print and save this bulletin as a PDF, because it contains important testing dates and information that you will need to refer to later, as it will not be available after the closing date.

CONTACTS: Communications throughout this process will be sent via email exclusively so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly. Failure to respond or follow instructions will result in disqualification.   

All email inquiries should be directed to the individuals listed below:    

Tola.Barker, 520-837-7768 or tola.barker@tucsonaz.gov

 

Pre-employment Medical Testing Requirements

Basic Physical

Hep B Vaccine/Titer

Blood Lead/ZPP

Non-NIDA Drug Test

**The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and our visitors.  In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to your initial HR representative, or you must request an exemption from your representative. New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the City of Tucson.**


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To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.