ISP FORENSIC SCIENTIST 3 Discipline Lead - Crime Scene Latent Discipline

Description

Idaho State Police Job Opportunity
Idaho State Police Forensic Scientist 3 Discipline Lead - Crime Scene

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

Summary:
A Forensic Scientist 3 Discipline Lead position is the third level in a series of increasingly technical forensic science positions, possessing expertise in one or more forensic science specialty areas. Incumbents are expected to meet requirements and successfully undergo routine proficiency testing and certification specific to their discipline. Incumbents routinely handle toxic/carcinogenic chemicals and biological hazards. Circumstances may require physical exertion and the ability to lift heavy objects. This may include periodic biological and medical testing.

The Forensic Scientist 3 (FS3) Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) Crime Scene Discipline Lead is an experienced scientist who serves as the ISPFS Crime Scene discipline lead with ISP Forensic Services. This position manages and directs the technical aspects of the ISPFS crime scene discipline. The scientist will perform field work, examinations and complete reports following the Idaho State Police Forensic Services approved methods and procedures in the crime scene discipline. Additionally, this position will work in one of the following laboratory disciplines and must meet the minimum educational criteria for a Forensic Scientist 2 in that discipline: Latent Prints, Chemistry, DNA, DNA Database, Toxicology, Firearms or Alcohol; the discipline will be chosen by the Laboratory System Director based on casework needs. An experienced scientist who meets the minimum qualifications and *qualifying work experience of the FS3 Crime Scene Discipline Lead must successfully complete a six-month promotion probationary period of 1,040 hours.

At this time, the focused discipline is Latent Prints.

You must also submit a copy of your official transcripts to the Idaho State Police for verification by attaching them to your application. Applications without supporting transcripts will not be accepted and deemed incomplete.

All Idaho State Police Forensic Laboratories are accredited by A2LA and to the ISO17025:2017 Standard. State Police Forensic Laboratories serve state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies; state and county prosecutors; and public defenders. PLEASE NOTE: The successful applicant will be required to complete a background investigation and polygraph examination, which includes drug screening. Please review ISP Professional Qualifications for more information.

Responsibilities:

Discipline Lead

• Develop and maintain analytical methods for performing examinations
• Develop and maintain training plans
• Mentor, oversee, and evaluate training of new analysts
• Assume a role in case planning, development, and work flow/management
• Consult with quality manager on proficiency test scheduling and evaluation
• Review and evaluate requests for deviations from analytical methods Review, and create validation plans, maintain validation and performance verification records
• Develop yearly training objectives for the analysts working in the discipline
• Keep current on quality standards related to the discipline and inform management of changes
• Evaluate and monitor uncertainty budgets (as applicable)
• Collaborate as requested on corrective and preventive actions
• Evaluate supplies and services for the discipline
• Perform technical audits and/or evaluate the results of technical audits
• Work with the quality manager to obtain and maintain accreditation
• Maintain an ISP training program in crime scene for ISP and ISPFS staff
• All duties of the Forensic Scientist 1, and 2

Scientific Analyses

• Conduct complex examinations of evidence and/or individual characteristic database samples
• Respond to crime scenes and autopsies to provide assistance, knowledge and expertise; this may include assistance with recognizing, documenting, and collecting evidence/samples

Training

• Complete any required training on new techniques or instrumentation in approved discipline(s)
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence
• Provide background information and training for police officers, attorneys, and the general public
• May give public relations or other public presentations

Communication/Courtroom Testimony

• Interpret findings for prosecutors and defense attorneys in approved discipline(s)
• Prepare attorneys for presentation of expert's findings in approved discipline(s)
• Testify as an expert witness in trials and other criminal hearings in approved discipline(s)
• Qualified to offer opinions and answer hypothetical questions in approved discipline(s)
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence; provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, medical personnel and general public as assigned
• Supervise the courtroom testimony training of new analysts

Administrative Duties

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

Crime Scene

• Provides assistance as requested with crime scene processing up to and including processing of the entire scene and/or identification of chemicals and interpretation of manufacturing methods at clandestine laboratories. Assistance will typically include scene documentation, photography, latent print processing and/or chemical testing, as well as identification, collection and packaging of evidence
• Collects evidence at crime scenes
• Authors reports on crime scene work
• Performs technical review of crime scene reports
• Testifies in court about crime scene work

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• A Forensic Scientist 3 Discipline Lead must meet the minimum education/skills requirements for the discipline(s) in which they are hired to work

• The education of each employee required to possess a secondary degree shall be verified prior to being hired by Forensic Services
• A copy of the college transcript (including specific required coursework) and proof of graduation for all personnel with education requirements listed in the MQ Specialties section must be provided to ISPFS.
• 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.

Experience:

Three (3) years of qualifying work experience in approved discipline(s). 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 three (3) years’ experience performing independent crime scene processing or acting as a lead of the on-site crime scene processing team
• Will be required to obtain International Association for Identification crime scene certification (Certified Crime Scene Investigator, Certified Crime Scene Analyst or Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst) within one (1) year of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 3 Discipline Lead position
• Depending on workload and the needs of the laboratory may be required to train in and perform independent casework in another discipline. This may additionally require obtaining and maintaining the required certification for that discipline

Desirable Qualifications

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

• Experience as a discipline lead in an accredited forensic laboratory
• Formal training and/or experience as a supervisor or manager
• Certification as a Crime Scene Investigator, Certified Crime Scene Analyst or Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst
• Experience performing audits under ISO 17025 standards

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

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.

ISP has a salary plan called Project CHOICE (Creating Hope, Opportunity, and Incentive for Career Employment) designed to provide incentives for recruitment and retention. The Project CHOICE plan distributes pay increases to employees for the attainment of certificates and other achievements relevant to their job class and the ISP mission. The purpose of Project CHOICE is to attract potential applicants to the ISP workforce, retain the workforce already in place, and reward employees who take on additional duties or tasks, and who work to better themselves in academic and professional settings. Forensic scientists and lab management personnel earn CHOICE pay increases for a variety of discipline specific achievements related to skill acquisition. Some of these points include:

• Bachelor Degree - $1.25/hour
• Master Degree - $1.75/hour
• Doctorate - $2.25/hour (only the highest college degree attained is awarded)
• Completion of Probation - $1.00/hour
• Proficiency Test in two Disciplines - $.30/hour
• Clan Lab/Crime Scene - $.45/hour
• Serve as an ISO 17025 Assessor - $.30/hour
• Forensics Specialty Areas: $.50/hour for up to 2 areas of expertise:
• • American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Diplomate
  • ABC Fellow in a Specialty
  • International Association for Identification (IAI) Latent Fingerprint Analysis
  • Association of Firearm & Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) Firearms Examiner or equivalent
  • American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or equivalent
  • IAI Footwear Examiner
• CODIS Administrator - $.30/hour
• Lab Safety Officer - $.30/hour
• Deputy Quality Manager - $.30/hour

Please make sure your resume and personal information contained in your profile supports your answers to the questions.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit State of Idaho benefits.

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.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

• Benefits may not be applicable for temporary or seasonal positions.