Forensic Scientist I

Justice • Guilford County, NC

1d • $52,592 - $60,619 • Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General of North Carolina, represents the state, state agencies, and elected officials, and defends the rights of the people of North Carolina. The Department handles all state criminal appeals cases and assists district attorneys with complex criminal cases at their request. Additionally, the Department of Justice includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy, and the Sheriffs’ and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions.
Recruitment Range: $52,592 - $60,619
IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date listed. Successful hire must live and train in Raleigh, NC for the entire training period. Once training is successfully completed, this position will be permanently assigned to the Triad Toxicology Section in Greensboro, NC. The training period for this position is approximately 2 years. The Forensic Scientist I will complete prescribed Toxicology training requirements before beginning casework. Once training is completed successfully, the Forensic Scientist I will perform entry level Toxicology casework – an equitable share of the analyses performed by the Section, prepare written reports of the results of the analyses; provide expert testimony in court on the results of the analyses. The Forensic Scientist I performs casework on toxicology evidence seized by Law Enforcement officers in the course of Driving While Impaired (DWI) investigations. Forensic Scientists in this position also analyze the alcohol concentration of liquids. The evidence is analyzed to determine the presence or absence of impairing substances. Some or all the following screening and confirmation techniques are used in the analysis: Headspace Gas Chromatography Immunoassay Solid phase extractions Liquid-Liquid extractions Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography/Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Some travel, including some occasional overnight stays are required The selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: polygraph credit and arrest checks interviews with associates to include personal and business references, past employers, and neighbors verification of education achievement fingerprinting urinalysis drug screening Out of state applicants: After the initial interview, this may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense to undergo the background investigation process. The State Crime Laboratory accepts, finds, preserves, and provides scientific forensic analysis of evidence for the criminal justice community. The forensic services provided include in-lab analyses, technical field assistance, and expert witness testimony in the following areas: Digital Evidence, Drug Chemistry, Firearm & Tool Mark, Forensic Biology, DNA Database, Latent Evidence, Toxicology and Trace Evidence. The Greensboro (Triad) Regional Laboratory provides forensic laboratory analyses, technical field assistance and expert witness testimony in the areas of controlled substances, blood alcohol, blood drug, drug dilution, drug tampering, and clandestine drug laboratories and latent evidence. The Toxicology Section provides the North Carolina Criminal Justice System with trained and experienced forensic scientists who analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations. The forensic services provided include laboratory analysis and expert witness testimony in the areas of alcohol/volatiles/drugs in blood/urine, and alcohol/volatiles in liquids.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry, toxicology, pharmaceutical science with chemistry concentration (organic, inorganic, analytical or physical), forensic science (with concentration in chemistry or toxicology), biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Must obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within eighteen months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity.

Nice To Haves

• Professional lab experience, preferably in toxicology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Complete prescribed Toxicology training requirements before beginning casework.
• Perform entry level Toxicology casework – an equitable share of the analyses performed by the Section
• Prepare written reports of the results of the analyses
• Provide expert testimony in court on the results of the analyses.
• Perform casework on toxicology evidence seized by Law Enforcement officers in the course of Driving While Impaired (DWI) investigations.
• Analyze the alcohol concentration of liquids.
• Analyze evidence to determine the presence or absence of impairing substances.

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits.
• Employee Benefits

What This Job Offers

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