Idaho State Police Forensic Scientist 2 - DNA Casework Discipline

Forensic Scientist DNA Casework Discipline

ISP Forensic Scientist 2

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

This announcement is being used to fill a Forensic Scientist 2 (FS2). If you are interested in being considered for this position you must apply under this announcement.

Rate of pay: $30.75 to $46.00 per hour. This position does not come with benefits.

Location: Remote

Training will occur on-site at the Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratory in Meridian, Idaho. Duration of training dependent on prior training and experience.

SPECIAL NOTIFICATION: This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

This is a grant funded position through the US Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. The DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) and DNA Laboratory Efficiency Improvement and Capacity Enhancement Grant Programs funding is anticipated for two years. If a state funded position becomes allocated, candidates will need to apply and compete through the State of Idaho recruitment process.

This selected candidate will be hired by a staffing agency for this position to work within ISP under the direction of ISP Forensic Services.

DESCRIPTION:

FS2: To perform a broad range of complex scientific analyses of evidence samples and/or individual characteristic database samples per current laboratory protocol; maintain the integrity of evidence; testify as an expert witness; provide training for members of law enforcement, attorneys and medical personnel as applicable; perform routine quality control duties as assigned.

All Idaho State Police Forensic Laboratories are accredited to the ISO 17025 Standard. State police Forensic Laboratories serve state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies; state and county prosecutors; and public defenders.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES ISP Forensic Scientist 2:

Training

• Complete any required training on new techniques or instrumentation
• Train Forensic Scientists 1 in the utilization of analytical techniques and methods of scientific analyses utilized in the specific discipline
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence
• Provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, and general public

Communication/courtroom testimony

• All duties of the Forensic Scientist 1
• Interpret findings for prosecutors and defense attorneys
• Prepare attorneys for presentation of expert's findings
• Testify as an expert witness in trials and other criminal hearings
• Qualified to offer opinions and answer hypothetical questions
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence; provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, medical personnel and general public as assigned

Administrative Duties

• Respond to supervisors, technical leaders and headquarters staff for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits
• Provide statistical information
• Create goals, objectives, and employee development plan

Biology/DNA Casework

• Performs biological screening and/or DNA analyses on forensic samples
• Performs mixture interpretation and uses mixture interpretation software
• Interprets DNA profiles and makes comparisons of DNA profiles
• Authors reports on forensic biology screening and/or forensic DNA analysis
• Performs technical review of screening and DNA reports
• Testifies in court about forensic biology screening and DNA analysis
• Imports casework samples into CODIS and evaluates potential matches.
  (COmbined DNA Index System) and evaluates potential matches.

Minimum qualifications ISP Forensic Scientist 2:

Education:

• A Forensic Scientist 2 must meet the education/skills requirements for the discipline(s) in which they are required to work
• The education of each employee required to possess a secondary degree shall be verified prior to being hired by Forensic Services
• Applicants with education obtained at a foreign institution must, at their expense, have credential evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., Milwaukee, WI; International Education Research Foundation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; or World Education Services, Inc., New York, NY. Reports must be sent directly to ISP Human Resources by the evaluating organization. These degrees may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, in lieu of a US or Canadian degree, upon review of the evaluation report.
• When performing DNA analysis and where applicable, analysts shall meet the educational requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories per the Federal DNA Identification Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. §14132{b})

Experience:

A Forensic Scientist 2 must have at least two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the specified discipline. Qualifying work experience includes:

• Working independently, planning, managing, and prioritizing caseloads or individual characteristic database samples (as applicable), successfully engaging in independent research, evaluation, and validation activities
• Performing and documenting a range of examinations regarding forensic evidence
• Providing training and consultation services to professional criminal justice and scientific audiences
• Testifying as an expert regarding the forensic examinations performed in the specified discipline
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing forensic biology screening and/or DNA casework
• Will be required to obtain specialty certification by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) in Forensic DNA or ABC equivalent certification within three (3) years of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 2 position

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Incumbents are expected to meet requirements and successfully undergo routine proficiency testing and certification specific to their discipline as outlined below. Incumbents routinely handle toxic/carcinogenic chemicals and biological hazards and may be exposed to graphic or disturbing images. Circumstances may require physical exertion and the ability to lift heavy objects. Must pass extensive background investigation and polygraph test. They may be required to pass a physical examination. This may include periodic biological and medical testing.

PLEASE NOTE: The successful applicant will be required to complete a background investigation and polygraph examination, which includes drug screening. Please review the ISP Professional Standards prior to applying for this position.

The candidate selected for hire will be required to submit a DNA sample after starting work. The DNA profile generated from the sample will be entered into the Idaho State Police Forensic Services staff DNA elimination database. This DNA database is used to identify any instances of contamination of evidence by staff members.

Desirable Qualifications:

The following are not requirements for the DNA FS2 position. However, if you do have qualifications/experience in any of these areas include that information in your CV:

• Graduate degree in biological science
• Qualifying work experience in forensic biology screening and/or DNA analysis (preference will be given to those with 10 or more years of DNA casework experience)
• Certification with the American Board of Criminalistics
• Member of related professional organization(s)
• Experience performing audits under the FBI's DNA quality assurance standards and/or ISO 17025 standards
• Experience using automation as it applies to the analysis of DNA samples in a forensic laboratory
• Experience using CODIS as an analyst or administrator and knowledge of the NDIS operation procedures as it applies to DNA eligibility requirements
• Experience with the Promega Corporation chemistries
• Experience using STRmix or other probabilistic genotyping software

How to Apply: Create one email with the subject line FS2 DNA Remote Casework, attach your detailed CV and an unofficial copy of your transcripts. Send this to jobs@isp.idaho.gov no later than March 4, 2026. CV’s received without accompanying transcripts will not be considered. If a candidate receives a conditional offer of employment, sealed transcripts will then be required.

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.