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Police Forensic Scientist II/III - DNA

City of Scottsdale Police Department
Email

Salary

$67,683.20 - $113,921.60 Annually

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Closing Date

10/21/2023 11:59 PM Arizona

This recruitment will be utilized to fill Forensic Scientist position that has been designated as a DNA specialty position in the Police Department.  Please refer to the Minimum Qualification section of this posting to identify the different requirements for each specific level.  Successful candidates will be identified for the specific level of Forensic Scientist based upon the qualifications listed on the application. 

The annual salary ranges for the specific levels are as follows:
     Forensic Scientist II:   $67,683.20 - $98,446.40 Annually 
     Forensic Scientist III:  $78,353.60 - $113,921.60 Annually   

About The Position
Performs highly specialized professional forensic science evaluations in connection with the identification and comparison of physical evidence submitted to the Crime Laboratory for forensic analysis.

NOTE: Transcripts MUST be submitted with the application to be considered for this recruitment. PLEASE REVIEW THE SPECIFIC CLASSES LISTED IN THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS BELOW AND HIGHLIGHT THE REQUIRED COURSEWORK . 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Forensic Scientist II: 

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, or related physical or natural science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related coursework* from an accredited educational institution.
  • Four years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
  • Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.

Forensic Scientist III: 

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or related physical or natural science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours of chemistry related coursework* from an accredited educational institution.
  • Eight years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
  • Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Discipline – Examines evidence collected from crime scenes for the presence of biological substances, Isolates DNA and compares that to known individuals.

  • Must have completed successfully at least nine semester or equivalent credit hours in college course work or classes covering the subject areas of: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology.*
  • College coursework in statistics and/or population genetics* as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

  • Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 39 months prior to the start date.  The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona.
  • Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

* In order to satisfy this requirement, college/university transcripts MUST be attached to the application.

Essential Functions

Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

Forensic Scientist II

  • Examines, identifies, interprets and evaluates suspected evidence which includes narcotics, dangerous drugs and toxicology, serology, DNA, trace, firearms, latent print processing and comparison, AFIS entry and searches and arson samples.
  • Compares analytical findings with known standards.
  • Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
  • Provides expert testimony in court.
  • Comprehends and follows detailed, highly technical, oral and written instructions to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports and records.  Prepares and presents detailed reports.
  • Prioritize own casework load.
  • Distinguishes visually the full range of the color spectrum to perform forensic examinations.

Forensic Scientist III

  • Examines, identifies, interprets and evaluates suspected evidence.
  • Compares analytical findings with known standards.
  • Discusses laboratory test results with other lab professionals, officers and attorneys.
  • Provides expert testimony in court.
  • Comprehends and follows detailed, highly technical, oral and written instructions to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive reports and records.  Prepares and presents detailed reports.
  • Prioritizes own casework load.
  • Conducts research and analyzes data to perform scientific examinations.
  • Distinguishes visually the full range of the color spectrum to perform forensic examinations.

 

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Work with chemicals and other hazardous materials using specialized non-routine, protective equipment to perform laboratory analyses.
  • Use specialized protective equipment to perform laboratory analyses.
  • May be exposed to fumes or dust, bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals or materials that transmit infectious disease (e.g., Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), (Hepatitis B) are corrosive, carcinogenic or explosive.
  • Safely work with various chemicals and powders.
  • Visually distinguishes the full range of the color.
  • Work is performed in a City office environment, laboratory, and in the field.
  • Lift and move materials weighing up to 30 pounds.
  • Visual and muscular dexterity to operate equipment, computer and two-way radio and use common hand tools such as a screwdriver and various instrument maintenance tools to maintain, set up, and clean the laboratory instruments.
  • Visual and muscular dexterity to operate office and laboratory equipment, microscope, computer and two-way radio and use common hand tools such as a screwdriver and various instrument maintenance tools to maintain, set up, and clean the laboratory instruments.
  • Operate a City vehicle in order to perform forensic examinations in the field.
  • Travel to/from meetings and various locations.

To view the full job description, work environment and physical demands, click on the following links.

Click here to review the entire job description for Forensic Scientist II.
Click here to review the entire job description for Forensic Scientist III.


Located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale, Arizona is bordered by Phoenix to the west and the McDowell Mountains on the east.  Scottsdale is annually rated among the nation's most desirable communities to live in, visit and do business in. Check out more about Scottsdale.

Benefits Highlights:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
  • Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
  • Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
  • Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
  • City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
  • Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12.29% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
  • Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457
  • Pet Insurance
  • Bilingual pay compensation

Please visit the Benefits Information page for more information.


Selection Process:
The application and supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state “See Resume” in lieu of answering. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.  
 
Applicants whose education, training and experience most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process to include a panel interview and an assessment exercise. Final selection is contingent upon a background investigation to include:

  • Fingerprinting
  • Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
  • Polygraph

Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment:

  • Drug Screening
  • Medical Examination
  • Psychological Examination

 The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.
 
PLEASE NOTE:Years of experience are based on a work schedule of 2,080 hours per year for full-time positions and 1,040 hours per year for part-time positions, and while work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, depending upon the job classification, education may not be substituted for work experience.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When advised, reasonable accommodations will be made in order for an "otherwise qualified applicant" with a disability to participate in any phase of the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491. Requests should be made 24 hours in advance or as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. For TTY users, the Arizona Relay Service (1-800-367-8939) may contact HR Receptionist at (480) 312-2491.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.