What are the responsibilities and job description for the Criminalist - Firearms position at State of Iowa - Executive Branch?
Job Description
This is not a remote position.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety DCI Crime Lab is seeking to fill a Criminalist position that will specialize as a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner.
Organization Background
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a statewide law enforcement agency committed to serving the people of Iowa with leadership, integrity, and professionalism. We uphold the core values of courtesy, service, and protection, and collaborate with federal, state, and local jurisdictions within the criminal justice community to provide for the safety of people living in or traveling through the State of Iowa.
DPS Is Comprised Of The Following Divisions:
The Iowa DCI Crime Lab is seeking a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner. Experience is preferred but not required. This position involves comparing evidence, such as bullets and cartridge cases, side-by-side with those that have been test-fired in firearms submitted to the laboratory. The examinations are based on firearms identification, which entails determining whether a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition component was fired from a specific firearm.
Additionally, examiners may conduct tests in the following areas: determining the caliber and general rifling characteristics of bullets, assessing the proper function and safe operation of firearms, and restoring obliterated serial numbers.
**If inexperienced, applicants must be willing to participate in a year-long training program sponsored by an independent provider that may require up to 6 months attendance at an off-site training academy located outside the state of Iowa, if accepted to the program.**
Functions And Skills
At the State of Iowa, we value our employees’ talents and backgrounds, and we are committed to your well-being beyond the paycheck. As a valued team member, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Paid Time Off:
Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs
To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage: Benefits at a Glance | Iowa Department of Administrative Services
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or a closely related physical or natural laboratory science;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of experience in a crime laboratory performing firearms identification, latent print identification, document examination, trace evidence, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, forensic photography, or crime scene investigation and forensic training, for one year (thirty semester hours) of the required education.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Qualification Requirements
All applicants for this class must be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation.
Applicants must be available to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.
This is not a remote position.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety DCI Crime Lab is seeking to fill a Criminalist position that will specialize as a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner.
Organization Background
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a statewide law enforcement agency committed to serving the people of Iowa with leadership, integrity, and professionalism. We uphold the core values of courtesy, service, and protection, and collaborate with federal, state, and local jurisdictions within the criminal justice community to provide for the safety of people living in or traveling through the State of Iowa.
DPS Is Comprised Of The Following Divisions:
- Iowa State Patrol
- Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
- Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement
- Iowa State Fire Marshal
- Division of Professional Development and Support Services
- Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center
- Administrative Services Division
The Iowa DCI Crime Lab is seeking a Firearm and Toolmark Examiner. Experience is preferred but not required. This position involves comparing evidence, such as bullets and cartridge cases, side-by-side with those that have been test-fired in firearms submitted to the laboratory. The examinations are based on firearms identification, which entails determining whether a bullet, cartridge case, or other ammunition component was fired from a specific firearm.
Additionally, examiners may conduct tests in the following areas: determining the caliber and general rifling characteristics of bullets, assessing the proper function and safe operation of firearms, and restoring obliterated serial numbers.
**If inexperienced, applicants must be willing to participate in a year-long training program sponsored by an independent provider that may require up to 6 months attendance at an off-site training academy located outside the state of Iowa, if accepted to the program.**
Functions And Skills
- Examining and comparing evidence related items in the form of bullets, cartridge cases, and other ammunition components
- Perform caliber and general rifling characteristics determinations on bullets
- Test for firearm function and safe operations
- Restore obliterated serial numbers
- Enter and correlate cases in the IBIS system
- Preparing court worthy reports and visual aids
- Testifying in various courts of law
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing with scientific and non-scientific personnel
- Ability to attend out-of-state training for extended periods of time
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle
- Ability to operate/maintain laboratory equipment
- Ability to properly handle numerous biological and chemical hazards
- Ability to comprehend, perform, and comply with QA/QC requirements
- Ability to perform complex scientific procedures following Crime Laboratory Procedural Manuals
- Ability to adhere to established policies and procedures
- Must have successfully graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree (natural science degree preferred)
- Must possess a valid driver's license
- Must pass a visual acuity test
- Trainees must complete an authorized training program and successfully pass a competency test upon completion
- Trained analysts must pass proficiency tests
- Must be a US citizen and be at least 21 years of age
- Candidates must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety investigators before a final letter of employment offer is delivered.
- Applicants are encouraged to either upload to the NEOGOV site or send a resume, cover letter and unofficial college transcripts to Firearm Supervisor Kristin Hart at khart@dps.state.ia.us.
- The State of Iowa is an E-Verify Employer.
- This is not a remote position.
At the State of Iowa, we value our employees’ talents and backgrounds, and we are committed to your well-being beyond the paycheck. As a valued team member, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Paid Time Off:
- Vacation accruals that begin on day one and rollover on a yearly basis
- Unlimited sick leave accrual
- Nine (9) paid holidays per year
- Health – Affordable plans with the state paying more than 90% of premiums
- Dental – Dental - Free for single coverage and affordable family coverage with access to a vision discount program
- Life* – $20,000 in life insurance free, with an option to purchase additional coverage (*depending upon Collective Bargaining Agreements)
- Long-Term Disability Insurance – Available at no cost
- IPERS Retirement package offering a lifetime monthly financial benefit for vested employees. For every $1 an employee contributes, the state matches with $1.50
- Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) offering a voluntary savings program including a State match of up to $75/month
Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs
To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage: Benefits at a Glance | Iowa Department of Administrative Services
E-Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or a closely related physical or natural laboratory science;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of experience in a crime laboratory performing firearms identification, latent print identification, document examination, trace evidence, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, forensic photography, or crime scene investigation and forensic training, for one year (thirty semester hours) of the required education.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Qualification Requirements
All applicants for this class must be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation.
Applicants must be available to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.