Criminalist II (Molecular Genetics)

City of New York • New York, NY

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) investigates deaths in New York City that are criminal, accidental, suicidal, sudden, unattended, in a correctional facility, or suspicious/unusual. The OCME Molecular Genetics Laboratory, the first of its kind in a medical examiner's office nationwide, aids in investigating sudden unexpected natural deaths in apparently healthy individuals. This laboratory offers postmortem molecular diagnostic testing to identify and interpret gene changes that may explain sudden deaths and to alert surviving family members about potential high-risk inherited diseases for testing and treatment. Under the general direction of the Director of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, the selected candidate will assist in conducting scientific analyses and quality control tasks on biological specimens. The ideal candidate will possess the required technical skills and demonstrate the agency's core values: Commitment, Accountability, Resilience, Excellence, and Service.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
• One year of satisfactory full-time experience in criminalistics, forensic science or analytic chemistry, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience (for Assignment Level I-B).
• One year of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B; or one additional year of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of two years of such experience; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling two years of experience (for Assignment Level II).
• Authorization to work in the United States is required.
• Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.

Nice To Haves

• Potential to exemplify the agency’s core values of “Commitment, Accountability, Resilience, Excellence, and Service”.

Responsibilities

• Participates in casework rotation and performs sample accession and processing and case sign-in and intake database reviews.
• Performs sample cutting and extraction, DNA quantitation and DNA sample preparation.
• Performs Sanger and next-generation sequencing procedures and data analysis.
• Performs administrative review of case reports.
• Participates in quality control rotation and performs instrument maintenance and performance checks.
• Conducts laboratory cleaning and reagents/supplies inventory and preparation.
• Participates in validation rotation and conducts validation projects and provides validation plan and summary.
• Participates in the training and competency assessment program.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Assists in conducting scientific analyses and quality control tasks performed on biological specimens.

Benefits

• The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

What This Job Offers

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