Forensic Scientist I

Pay Range: $20.58hr - $25.58hr

Job Overview:

The Forensic Scientist I works within the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory and cooperates with leadership to achieve work objectives. This position reports to and is evaluated by the Department Supervisor. The candidate is responsible for all aspects of confirmation testing of donor specimens, including specimen preparation, specimen extraction, and instrument operation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This position works within the toxicology laboratory environment. The candidate is generally responsible for the following duties:

• Maintain chain of custody of forensic specimens and follow approved sample handling procedures, when applicable.
• Maintain competency in departmental SOPs, prepare and verify performance of all new reagents, and ensure required calibrators and quality control samples are included in each batch.
• Demonstrate good analytical technique with minimal errors, perform routine maintenance of equipment, operate applicable instruments for sample analysis, and perform basic data review.
• Maintain legible and complete documentation.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Perform and document checks of temperature-dependent equipment.
• Participate in the completion of method and instrument validation studies to quality standards.
• Participate in the validation of new calibrators, controls, and new or modified analytical procedures.
• Maintain acceptable productivity and quality levels, and notify leadership of equipment or production problems.
• Complete assigned continuing education activities and competency verification checks.
• Follow leadership direction and adhere to all organization policies.
• Complete all required quality control and quality assurance documentation related to job functions.
• Follow the defined work schedule.
• Maintain a professional work environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, or Medical Technology. Alternative major: Bachelor’s degree in another field with a minimum of 16 semester hours in Chemistry (including at least 6 semester hours in inorganic chemistry), 16 semester hours in Biology pertinent to medical sciences, and 3 semester hours of Mathematics.
• Minimum of 1 years of laboratory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of laboratory methods and procedures preferred.

Physical Requirements(Due to nature of job, The candidate must have):

• Ability to perform routine and repetitive motions, such as pipetting.
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.