DPS - CLD - Forensic Scientist I-III, Seized Drugs - 6052-6054

***This is a Grant Funded Position***

***Copies of Official Transcripts indicating conferred degree are Required (Applications without copies of Official Transcripts indicating conferred degree attached will be subject to rejection)***

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIC) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please got to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment must provide documentation from a physician of:
1. Visual acuity,
2. Color vision acuity,
All acuity testing must have occurred prior to and within six (6) months of the start date.

**Current employees, with no acuity testing on file, must provide documentation from a physician, before starting in new position. **

Must be able to obtain a forensic analyst license from the Texas Forensic Science Commission in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure Title 1 Chapter 38.01, within one hundred eighty (180) days of starting employment.

A college-level statistics course is required for new hire licensing. If the applicant has not passed a college-level statistics course, he/she must be able to take, pass and provide official transcripts of a college-level statistics course from an accredited university or a program approve by the Forensic Science Commission (FSC), at personal expense, within one hundred eighty (180) days of starting employment.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Forensic Scientist I, Seized Drugs-
Performs (entry-level) training on laboratory tests, analyses, classifications, comparisons and identifications/associations of all types of physical evidence from crime scenes with emphasis and specific recognized expertise in an option or specialty area identified above. Training involves interpreting analytical and instrumental results and preparing written opinion reports. Trains on testimony as an expert witness in court as to results of analyses. Works under close supervision, with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Forensic Scientist II, Seized Drugs-
Performs routine (journey-level) forensic science work. Work involves conducting laboratory tests, conducting analyses, and identifying all types of physical evidence from crime scenes with emphasis and specific recognized expertise in an option or specialty area identified above. Work involves interpreting analytical and instrumental results; establishing and maintaining records; preparing technical reports; and testifying as an expert witness in court. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Forensic Scientist III, Seized Drugs-
Performs moderately complex (journey-level) forensic science work. Work involves conducting laboratory analyses on database samples or physical evidence from crime scenes with emphasis and specific recognized expertise in an option or specialty area identified above. Work involves interpreting analytical and instrumental results; establishing and maintaining records; preparing technical reports; and testifying as an expert witness in court. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_PublicSafety.pdf
Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

Forensic Scientist I:

1. Develops communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively with our agencies and other customers regarding sensitive information related to the offense and/or analyses being done.

2. Learns how to use the laboratory information management system (LIMS) for purposes of evidentiary documentation, chain of custody, analysis, and other metrics within the laboratory.

3. Learns how to prepare reports concerning the preliminary and final results of each analyses performed.

4. Learns how to represent the discipline and the results of analysis in testimony and may serve as an expert witness in court.

5. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with the agency leave and attendance policies

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

7. Receives instruction on the operating of complex analytical instrumentation used in the analysis of seized drug evidence.

8. Reads required training materials and demonstrates understanding of procedures through analysis of competency test samples provided.

9. Learns and performs analysis of suspected seized drug materials.

10. Learns theory behind clandestine drug manufacturing processes and how to properly test evidence.

11. Maintains awareness of current research within the seized drug discipline.

Forensic Scientist II:

1. Receives and returns evidence items and completes proper forms according to strict transfer procedures to guarantee and maintain the integrity of accepted chain of evidence for each item.

2. Contacts various law enforcement officials and others to obtain and/or provide information related to offense to which provided evidence items are relevant.

3. Prepares preliminary and final reports concerning results of each analysis performed.

4. Serves as an expert witness in court.

5. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

7. Operates complex analytical instrumentation used in the analysis of controlled substances.

8. Performs analysis of plant substance and other drug-containing materials.

9. Completes technical review proficiency tests as required.

10. Maintains awareness of current research within the seized drugs discipline.

Forensic Scientist III:

1. Receives and returns evidence items and completes proper forms according to strict transfer procedures to guarantee and maintain the integrity of accepted chain of evidence for each item or handles individual characteristic database samples following relevant procedures.

2. Contacts various law enforcement officials, and others to obtain and/or provide information related to offense to which provided evidence items are relevant.

3. Prepares preliminary and/or final reports concerning results of each analysis performed.

4. Serves as an expert witness in court.

5. Researches forensic science field and studies current material in scientific journals regarding new advances and techniques in forensic examinations.

6. Lectures to or instructs law enforcement groups, schools, and others at the discretion of, or, in absence of supervisor.

7. Represents the Department at conferences and meetings.

8. Maintains professional contact with nationwide forensic examiners.

9. Performs more exacting and intricate examinations in most difficult cases and assists and teaches other examiners in the more difficult examinations.

10. Attends work regularly and observes approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

11. Performs other duties as assigned.

12. Operates complex analytical instrumentation used in the analysis of controlled substances.

13. Performs analysis of plant substance and other drug-containing materials.

14. Completes technical review proficiency tests as required.

15. Maintains awareness of current research within the seized drugs discipline.

Salary : $58,066 - $78,318