Forensic Scientist II (Firearms)
About The Position
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as a Forensic Scientist II specializing in the Firearms discipline. This role utilizes chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques and instrumentation to examine, identify, and evaluate physical evidence. Responsibilities include preparing technical reports, providing expert testimony in court, offering technical advice and training to other forensic scientists, recommending analytical methodology revisions and equipment purchases, and performing complex casework analysis within the discipline. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist. This may be a competitive or progressive classification. This recruitment will establish an eighteen-month eligibility list for current and future vacancies in the Phoenix area. The recruitment may close without notice, and successful completion of the examination process, including a written examination and Qualifications Appraisal Board (QAB), is required. Transcript copies are required with the application. Accommodations for disabilities can be requested in writing prior to the test date.
Requirements
- Four (4) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory.
- A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences.
- A minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in chemistry, OR a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry with completed coursework in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.
- Demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline.
- Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.
- Must successfully complete the examination process.
Nice To Haves
- Additional forensic scientist experience beyond the required four (4) years may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours).
Responsibilities
- Examines, identifies, and evaluates suspected evidence which may include blood, semen, hair, fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, questioned documents, fire accelerants, soils, firearms, latent prints, drugs, poisons, alcoholic beverages, etc.
- Utilizes physical, chemical, microscopic, photographic, comparative, classification, computer, molecular biology, chromatographic and visualization techniques and instrumentation which may include gas chromatography, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, infrared spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray, variable wavelength forensic light sources, spectrofluorimetry, and immunoassay.
- Prepares technical written reports in order to document scientific analyses and results.
- Attends pre-trial conferences, prepares exhibits for courtroom use, and provides expert testimony in courts throughout the state.
- Discusses laboratory test results and evidence collection with officers and attorneys.
- Remains current on scientific advancements in the forensic field through technical publications, presentations and training in order to apply appropriate methodologies.
- Responds to crime scene incidents in order to gather, preserve and move items of evidence to crime lab for further analysis.
- Researches problems associated with routine methods of analyses.
- Provides general scientific information in response to questions from Department staff, other agencies and the public.
- Provides technical advice and guidance to other forensic scientists with difficult analyses.
- Trains new forensic scientists in laboratory methodology and in skills required to attain courtroom qualification.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
