Chemist 1 (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut • Meriden, CT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Chemist 1 position to join their team with the Division of Scientific Services. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. As part of general recruitment, the Chemist 1 will be recruited to work within the Chemical Analysis Section with a focus on the aspects of Serial Number Restoration and Breath Analysis. In this role, you will conduct full-process examinations while working alongside lab professionals and forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed. The Chemist 1 will receive training in Techniques utilized within the Chemical Analysis Section. Training may include the following: An examination of submitted evidence and completion of written descriptions; Photographing of evidence; Performing serial number restoration of firearms utilizing purchased chemicals and established restoration techniques. Performing instrument verification of Draeger 9510 Breath Alcohol instruments along with instruction of certification classes Handling materials and samples before and after analysis to maintain them for safekeeping; Preparing comprehensive reports; providing explanations and interpretations of results; Testifying in court as an expert witness; May assist in training laboratory staff and law enforcement personnel; Perform related duties as requested. The Division of Scientific Services serves as the forensic laboratory for the State of Connecticut, providing critical support to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the state. The Division is structured into three primary analytical sections: Chemical Analysis Section – encompassing toxicology, controlled substances, and general chemistry; Forensic Biology/DNA Section – specializing in the analysis of biological evidence and DNA profiling; Identification Section – including firearms/toolmarks, latent prints and digital/computer crimes analysis. In addition, the Division is supported by two non-analytical sections: Quality Section – responsible for maintaining laboratory accreditation and quality assurance standards; Laboratory Support Services Section – which includes administration, evidence receiving, and case management functions. Together, these sections work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of high-quality forensic services in support of Connecticut’s criminal justice system.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in Forensic Science, chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in an industrial, public health, toxicology, medical or materials laboratory involving scientific work in the field of chemistry.
• College training in chemistry or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience 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 chemistry or a 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.
• Knowledge of principles, methods and procedures of chemistry.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative chemistry.
• Knowledge of equipment and instruments used in modern public laboratories.
• Knowledge of applicable analytical techniques.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of universal laboratory precautions.
• Knowledge of laboratory hazards and safety.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Skills in operation of chemical instruments and equipment.
• Skills in data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to conduct standard analytical chemical tests.
• Ability to utilize computer software.

Nice To Haves

• Experience handling firearms and rendering firearms safe.
• Experience handling chemicals and reagents, including proper storage, use, and disposal in accordance with laboratory safety standards and procedures.
• Experience working with confidential or privileged information including names, dates of birth, address, personal financial information, medical records or test results.
• Experience maintaining chain of custody of evidential material.
• Experience utilizing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Responsibilities

• Conduct full-process examinations.
• Collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed.
• Receive training in techniques utilized within the Chemical Analysis Section.
• Examine submitted evidence and complete written descriptions.
• Photograph evidence.
• Perform serial number restoration of firearms utilizing purchased chemicals and established restoration techniques.
• Perform instrument verification of Draeger 9510 Breath Alcohol instruments along with instruction of certification classes.
• Handle materials and samples before and after analysis to maintain them for safekeeping.
• Prepare comprehensive reports.
• Provide explanations and interpretations of results.
• Testify in court as an expert witness.
• Assist in training laboratory staff and law enforcement personnel.
• Perform related duties as requested.
• Conduct chemical, biochemical and physical analyses of a variety of substances.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative chemical and toxicological analyses of organic and inorganic substances to determine identity and concentration of substances.
• Calibrate instruments and prepare and standardize solutions and reagents.
• Maintain records of examinations.
• Conduct chemical analyses of drinking water from public and private supplies according to standard methods of water analysis.
• Test samples of sewage, river water, trade wastes and sludge for regulated pollutants.
• Perform chemical and physical examinations of sewage and trade wastes to make determinations such as those for solids, ash, volatile matter, chlorides, nitrates, ammonia and organic nitrogen.
• Perform chemical analyses of samples from swimming pools and bathing beaches for chemical contaminants.
• Tabulate and plot curves of results of water analyses.
• Prepare reports of investigations.
• Prepare reagents.
• Perform chemical analyses of food and dairy products.
• Utilize universal laboratory precautions.
• Utilize computers related to laboratory instrumentation, quality assurance data and test reports.
• Perform biochemical and toxicological analyses of human specimens as well as environmental samples for toxic substances in postmortem and medical/legal cases.
• Assist in biochemical and toxicological research.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level