Forensic Scientist IV (Firearms)

Arizona Department of Public Safety • Phoenix, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as a Forensic Scientist 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 scientific equipment purchases, and serving as an experienced casework analyst for complex cases 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 eighteen-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies in the Phoenix area. Recruitment may close without notice. Candidates must successfully complete the examination process, which includes a Written Examination (PASS/FAIL) and a Qualifications Appraisal Board (QAB) (100%). 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 ten (10) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory.
• Demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline with at least three (3) years of experience within the discipline.
• Court or professional presentation experience applicable to forensics.
• 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 ten (10) years, may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) semester hours).
• Up to five (5) 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.

What This Job Offers

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