Job Description
Duties and Requirements Click to read more
Duties
Duties
- Responsible for the recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of physical evidence pertinent to the investigation of a criminal act.
- Examines evidence items to discover, preserve, collect, photograph, and identify samples for analysis.
- Performs presumptive testing, confirmatory testing and DNA analysis on evidence items.
- Collects trace evidence.
- Interprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of law.
- Prepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedings.
- Prepares, processes and maintains a variety of written reports and records pertaining to lab processes and activities.
- Documents, handles, packages, and receives evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with established forensic practices under state and federal laws.
- Appears in court as an expert witness as required.
- Instructs others in forensics, DNA evidence collection, and provides training seminars, to include outside law enforcement agencies under mutual aid requests.
- May be assigned to train new employees and or act as a trainer to coworkers in specific specialty areas.
- May be asked to evaluate, apply for and/or monitor potential grant related programs and opportunities.
- Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs, as required by the position.
- Maintains regular and acceptable attendance.
- Is available and willing to work overtime such as weekends and holidays as the Sheriff’s Office or UFL Management determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
- May perform duties both in the office and in the field.
- Interacts effectively with others.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Extensive knowledge of modern forensic laboratory equipment and procedures.
- Extensive knowledge of the workflow of a forensic crime lab.
- Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidence.
- Must meet the education requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.
- Knowledge of DNA QAS documents and ISO 17025:2017 standards.
- Knowledge and use of the CODIS database systems.
- Knowledge of forensic DNA statistical calculations.
- Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
- Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment, as required by the position.
- Ability to give professional expert testimony in courts of law.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.
- Ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
- Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
- Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
- Ability to get along well with others.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a closely related field.
EXPERIENCE:
- Two (2) years of experience in performing laboratory duties associated with the processing of biological and DNA evidence in a law enforcement agency.
OR - Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff’s Office.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- EDUCATION: Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, or a closely related field.
- EXPERIENCE: Three (3) to five (5) years of experience performing DNA Analyses in an accredited forensic laboratory. Experience with grant research, writing, and application.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period.
- Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
- This position is subject to call for assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays as deemed necessary by the Sheriff’s Office and/or the management of the UFL.
- Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.
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Job Tags
Holiday work, Night shift, Weekend work,