Requisition No: 828692 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: CRIME LABORATORY TECHNICIAN - 71001550

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 71001550 

Salary: $38,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 05/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CRIME LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

INVESTIGATIONS AND FORENSIC SCIENCE

TAMPA BAY REGIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER

REGIONAL CRIME LAB/EVIDENCE INTAKE

**Open-Competitive Opportunity**

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is within the laboratory and is located in the Evidence section. This is a full-time position that works closely with other members within the laboratory as well as external contributors to complete the mission of the Evidence section. The main duties of this position are to receive, secure and distribute evidence submitted to the laboratory for the purpose of forensic investigation and to maintain the evidence vault and section. This position requires attention to detail, professionalism, and excellent customer service skills.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include:

• Complying with laboratory practices required by the Forensic Science Quality Manual (FSQM), Laboratory Administrative Procedures Manual (LAPM), section work instructions, and accreditation requirements;
• Receiving, securing, distributing, and returning evidence submitted to the laboratory by maintaining the chain of custody records of evidence;
• Assigning computerized bar-code labels to evidence as appropriate;
• Advising law enforcement personnel on the disposition of evidence submitted to the crime laboratory;
• Maintaining a high level of quality in internal and external customer service;
• Utilizing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to prepare data for input into the system, generating inventory and control reports and assisting in the maintenance of the management and evidence information system;
• Assigning computerized bar code labels to evidence and inputting data into the LIMS system;
• Maintaining the evidence vault in a neat and orderly manner;
• Participating in the laboratory quality assurance program;
• Maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies used for packaging and preserving various types of physical evidence;
• Maintaining administrative compliance through review of all appropriate administrative policies and procedures and completing all administrative paperwork by established deadlines; and
• Performing other duties as required by the supervisor or Chief of Forensic Services.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A high school diploma or its equivalent and two years of work experience.

Note: College credit hours from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours for each year of the required experience.

The applicant must possess a valid driver license, must be able to work on grated flooring, must be able to climb stairs, have the ability to utilize ladders or step stools, and lift items weighing up to 40 pounds.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of correct procedures for handling evidence;
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems;
• Knowledge of laboratory terminology;
• Knowledge in the use of computerized keyboards and basic computer operations;
• Ability to give testimony in court regarding chain of custody;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
•  Skill in communicating procedures to others;
•  Skill in operating multifunction automated systems equipment;
• Ability to interpret and follow technical instructions; and
• Knowledge of FDLE’s Policies and Procedures, LAPM, FSQM, and section Work Instructions.

Note: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

BASE SALARY:

• $38,000.00

HOW YOU WILL GROW:

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE’s pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program;
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
• Paid maternity leave and parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options; and
• Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 1,900 members statewide – either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Our mission is topromote public safety and strengthen domestic security. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

HIRING PROCESS:

You will be evaluated for this job based on your previous knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. Your qualifications will be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities and other elements relevant to this position supported by the information in your application. Qualifying questions will only be credited if verifiable by the information provided on your application including specifically required software/computer skills. You may be contacted to participate in a selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, interviews, drug screen and fingerprinting. You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant’s immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment and education verifications (which includes official transcript(s)), drug screen and fingerprinting. This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

NOTES:

Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed at least six months of the probationary period for their current position.

REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
2. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.