Forensic Scientist DNA Casework Discipline - Forensic Scientist 1

Rate of pay: $22.97 per hour. In addition, you may be provided a stipend of $5.75 per hour for you to obtain benefits as this position provides no benefits.  

SPECIAL NOTIFICATION:  This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission.

This recruitment is being used to fill a full-time Forensic Scientist 1 (FS1) with Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS). The FS1 is an entry-level position that works under the direct supervision of a more experienced Forensic Scientist. The FS1 position could be converted to a Forensic Scientist 2 (FS2) position upon successful completion of a specified training program and approximately two (2) years in an FS1 position per ISP approval.

This is a grant funded position through the US Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. The DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) and DNA Laboratory Efficiency Improvement and Capacity Enhancement Grant Programs funding is anticipated for two years. If a state funded position becomes allocated, candidates will need to apply and compete through the State of Idaho recruitment process.

All Idaho State Police Forensic Laboratories are accredited by A2LA and to the ISO 17025:2005 Standard. State Police Forensic Laboratories serve state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies; state and county prosecutors; and public defenders.

Note: Preference will be given to experienced Scientists who meet the minimum qualifications and qualifying work experience* of the DNA Casework FS2. A candidate meeting at the higher level could be certified to a FS2 position upon completion of a qualifying examination and approved by ISP.

*Qualifying work experience for the DNA Forensic Scientist 2 includes a minimum of two (2) years working independently, planning, managing, and prioritizing forensic biology/DNA caseloads or offender database samples; successfully engaging in independent research, evaluation, and validation activities associated with forensic biology/DNA; performing and documenting a range of examinations regarding human DNA (preferably STR) analysis of casework and/or DNA database samples; providing training and consultation services to professional criminal justice and scientific audiences; and testifying as an expert regarding forensic/database DNA examinations, as applicable.

The successful candidate must meet ISP's Drug Policy, that can be viewed at https://isp.idaho.gov/hr/trooper_info/drug.html and will be required to complete a criminal history background investigation and polygraph, which includes drug screening. Employment is dependent upon satisfactory results of the investigation and polygraph. Please see the Idaho State Police Drug Policy at the end of this recruitment flyer.

Learn more about a career of a lifetime with the Idaho State Police at http://www.isp.idaho.gov/ and how the State of Idaho can be your forever home at http://www.visitidaho.org/.

Minimum Qualifications: A baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field. Analysts working in the Forensic Biology discipline must have successfully completed a minimum of seventeen (17) semester (or 26 quarter) units of chemistry or biology related college level coursework. 

Coursework must include at least one course each in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology totaling 9 semester (or 14 quarter) units. Additionally, coursework in statistics or population genetics is required. When performing DNA analysis and where applicable, analysts shall meet the educational requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.

Applicants will list the applicable course work and SU (semester units) or QU (quarter units) with each course. If the title for the required courses is different from the names listed above, applicants must include an attachment with the university course description, syllabus, or a letter from the professor demonstrating the core course component.

Note: ISPFS analyst and management applicant’s baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree must be in a physical or biological science from an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution. Degrees for Biology/DNA applicants must be in biology or chemistry related science. Acceptable institutions are those accredited by or those which have pertinent educational programs accredited by commissions or agencies recognized by the U.S. Office of Education. Preference will be given to applicants who have at least one scientific degree B.S. or above in Biological Science. Applicants with education obtained at a foreign institution must, at their expense, have credentials evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., Milwaukee, WI; International Education Research Foundation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; or world Education Services, Inc., New York, NY. Reports must be sent directly to ISP Human Resources.

Note: The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate technical competence by obtaining ABC certification if promoted to an FS2 position. This certification shall be obtained within the first three years after being selected/promoted for the position of Forensic Scientist 2.

How to Apply: Email your detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and an unofficial copy of your transcripts by December 26, 2018 to jobs@isp.idaho.gov with the subject line of: FS1 DNA Casework. CV’s received without accompanying transcripts will not be considered. If a candidate receives a conditional offer of employment, sealed transcripts will then be required. If you have any experience in these areas, please include it within your CV:

· Used or possessed within the 5 year period immediately preceding application for ISP employment: LSD, PCP, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or designer drugs (e.g. ecstasy, synthetic cathinones, their chemical derivatives and synthetic equivalents, etc.); if use was prior to 5 years preceding application for employment, the following factors will be considered:

(1) the frequency of the behavior;

(2) the quantity of drugs involved; and

(3) the type of drug;

· Used or possessed within the 3 year period immediately preceding application of ISP employment: marijuana, inhalants (huffing), anabolic steroids, hallucinogens (psilocybin mushrooms), or synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. spice, K2, etc.);

· On any occasion illegally manufactured or delivered a controlled substance; Used any illegal drug while employed in any law enforcement or prosecutorial agency;

· Been found guilty by a court or jury of driving under the influence of intoxicants within the 5 year period preceding application for ISP employment;

· Abused prescription drugs (case by case analysis).

 

Other involvement with illegal drugs may be a disqualifier. The Colonel of the Idaho State Police has the authority to make all final hiring decisions.

  

ISP's procedure states that visible tattoos on the head, neck, or hands are prohibited and must either be removed or covered by an acceptable means that does not deter from the professional image.

 Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. For assistance with this recruitment, please contact an ISP Recruiter at jobs@isp.idaho.gov or 208-884-7018.