Forensic Scientist I

JOB
This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.Pay Schedule I, Grade 34, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per weekA vacancy exist in the Police Department, Administrative & Technical Services Bureau/Forensic Services Section.A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below. Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time. List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.You MUST attach your transcript(s), certification(s) or license(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.Failure to submit proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of license(s), certification(s), and/or education must be submitted with each application.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Under general supervision, executes the handling, analysis and reporting of results of technical work in accordance with the quality assurance program as part of police and fire investigations in one or more units of the Forensic Services Section of the Baltimore County Police Department.Conducts thorough examinations of computer hard disk drives, and other electronic data storage media. Preserves and copies the original media. Prevents the transference of viruses, destructive programs, and inadvertent writes to and from the original media. Restores recoverable deleted files. Accesses password-protected and secured files. Uses forensic software applications to analyze electronic media. Examines the contents of a computer's CMOS. Examines boot record data, system configuration, and operation command files.Verifies the correctness of the computer's internal clock. Physically disassembles and examines computers and related hardware components.Identifies evidence of computer crimes such as the theft and sabotage of data; unlawful access of data and systems; fraudulent use of bank, credit, and telecommunications accounts; and the trafficking of pornography. Examines and analyzes text, graphics, multimedia, and digital images. Labels and secures evidence. Prepares and presents reports of examinations and findings. Works with prosecutors and others to prepare cases for trial. Trains and instructs other employees. Provides advice and guidance regarding computer crimes. Gives presentations to community groups. Provides expert opinions/testimony in court. Performs other laboratory activities to support the technical work and the quality assurance program for one or more units of the Forensic Services Section. Prepares evidence for further examination, analysis, and processing. Develops various types of plaster and rubber casts of crime scene evidence. Evaluates prints and photographs. Participates in continuing education and training and completes other administrative and technical tasks in one or more unit of the Forensic Services Section. Transfers evidence. Under close supervision, conducts biological/chemistry analysis and examinations pertaining to law enforcement investigations. Receives and logs evidence from evidence custodians in accordance with rules of chain-of-custody. Prepares standard and special reagents as required. Conducts and assists in conducting biological/chemistry analysis and examinations. Formulates conclusions and prepares investigative reports and charts based on forensic examinations. Prepares exhibits to be used in courts and provides expert testimony in court. Cleans and maintains laboratory facilities and equipment. Assists in the purchase and inventory of laboratory equipment and supplies. Performs other related duties as required. The Forensic Scientists I in the Biology Lab is a trainee position. This position will perform general laboratory duties such as ordering supplies, making solutions, upkeep of equipment records, and complete training in serological and DNA analysis methods.This position also participates in the Quality Assurance program and accreditation activities.. Examples of Other Duties Performs other related duties as required. Attends and participates in seminars and conferences. (NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
On appointment to this classification, an employee must provide a DNA sample to be maintained for quality assurance purposes by way of buccal swab of the inside of the employee’s mouth or current standardized collection procedure to be performed by qualified police department personnel. Provision of the DNA sample is a condition of employment and shall only be used for law enforcement purposes as a forensic laboratory or for purposes of human remains identification and request, but only to the extent that the genetic information is used for analysis of DNA identification markers for quality control to detect sample contamination. It shall be maintained and disclosed only in a manner consistent with law, separate from the employee’s personnel file as a confidential medical record, and will not be used for any other purpose. See 75 Fed. Reg. 68912, 68936 (November 9, 2010), 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1(b)(6), 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(6), as amended. Provision of the DNA sample is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the police department. Failure to provide the DNA sample would prevent performance of an essential job function. Employees in this classification may be assigned to a work shift which includes nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Employees in this classification are subject to call to duty in emergencies, and may be required to work overtime as needed. Character Requirements All applicants must be of good moral character and emotionally stable, as determined by a comprehensive background investigation, polygraph examination, and drug test. Employees are subject to periodic drug testing. Physical and Environmental ConditionsThe work of this classification frequently requires walking and standing, lifting, carrying, or dragging equipment and evidence of various sizes and shapes, traveling between work sites, and exposure to adverse weather conditions, toxic chemicals, bio-medical hazards, such as blood and other body fluids, and other hazardous conditions. Some situations will require climbing ladders, working at heights, or accessing confined spaces. Medical Examination and Employment Background InvestigationApplicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.