Forensic Scientist III (Latent Prints_LHC)

Arizona Department of Public Safety•Lake Havasu City, AZ

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our Western Regional Crime Laboratory team as a Forensic Scientist III specializing in the LATENT PRINTS 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 scientific equipment purchases, and performing complex casework analysis within the discipline. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist. This may be a competitive or a progressive classification. This recruitment will establish an 18-month eligibility list for current and future vacancies at the Western Regional Crime Laboratory in Lake Havasu City. Applications are encouraged promptly as the recruitment may close without notice. Candidates must successfully complete the examination process, which includes a Written Examination (40%) and a Qualifications Appraisal Board (QAB) (60%). Transcript copies are required with the application. Accommodations for disabilities should be requested in writing from human resources prior to the test date.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with either 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.
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory.
Demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline.
Court or professional presentation experience applicable to forensics.
Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.

Nice To Haves

Additional forensic scientist experience, beyond the required seven (7) years, may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours).
Up to three (3) years of the required experience may be substituted with professional experience obtained in a clinical or research laboratory, provided the experience involved analytical or technical laboratory work applicable to forensic laboratory testing and reporting.

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 and evaluates new methods of analysis to update scientific methodology.
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.
Instructs law enforcement personnel in training schools throughout the state in laboratory procedures such as recognizing, handling and examining physical evidence.
Recommends purchase of scientific equipment and supplies.