Forensic Scientist I, Forensic Scientist II, Forensic Scientist III for Toxicology

Company: City of Mesa
Location: Mesa
Posted on: June 13, 2021

Job Description:

Description/Duties

This recruitment will be used to fill current Forensic Scientist I, II, or III vacancy in the Toxicology Unit. This position will be a project-funded, at-will position.

You will be asked to submit official college transcripts if your application is selected to move forward in the recruitment/testing process.

A Forensic Scientist I at Pay Grade 49 ($52,593.03 - $76,502.40 annually) is responsible for applying the physical sciences to the investigation of crimes by learning to perform laboratory examinations of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. This is a professional entry-level class in the Forensic Scientist series. Incumbents in this class receive training in higher skill level duties and perform examinations under close supervision. An employee in this class reads relevant materials and attends training sessions in all aspects of forensic laboratory practices. Routine work is performed independently, but assignments that are more complex may be performed under direct supervision depending on the level of difficulty. As training progresses, incumbents are expected to exercise independence and good judgment. A Forensic Scientist I may progress by noncompetitive promotion to the classification of Forensic Scientist II after successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan, which include four years of forensic laboratory experience.

A Forensic Scientist II at Pay Grade 52 ($60,890.10 - $88,566.40 annually) performs specialized forensic evaluations and/or complex forensic examinations of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. A Forensic Scientist II is recognized as an expert in at least one area of forensic science, which may include blood alcohol analysis, controlled substance identification, latent print comparison, toxicology, serology/Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), arson, firearms/toolmark examination, or trace evidence analyses. This class is considered a journey-level position in the Police Department Forensic Services Forensic Scientist series. A Forensic Scientist II may conduct field investigations at crime scenes to search for, collect, and preserve evidence for laboratory analysis; and reconstruct situations and physical evidence of a crime in the demonstration of proof of the connection of persons, instruments, or materials with the crime. Employees in this class may receive further training in order to progress by noncompetitive promotion to the classification of Forensic Scientist III upon successful completion of requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan and the requirements of the class.

A Forensic Scientist III at Pay Grade 56 ($74,019.11 - $107,640.00 annually) performs highly specialized forensic evaluations and/or examinations in connection with the identification and comparison of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. Forensic Scientist III is a professional class in the Forensic Scientist series, which involves work in specialized areas of forensic science, such as arson, drug identification, toxicology, blood alcohol, breath alcohol, serology, DNA testing, trace evidence analyses, and/or firearm, toolmark, and impression examination. This position is the highest level in the Forensic Scientist series and may be responsible for the technical work direction and training of subordinate Forensic Scientists in all operations and in evidence processing. An employee in this class provides guidance, training, and technical assistance to less experienced personnel. An employee in this class may conduct field investigations at crime scenes to search for, collect, and preserve evidence for laboratory analysis; and reconstruct situations and physical evidence of a crime in the demonstration of proof of the connection of persons, instruments, or materials with the crime.

Toxicology Unit Assignment: A Forensic Scientist in the Toxicology Unit performs forensic examinations of blood and urine related to police investigations. Duties include: blood volatile analysis using headspace gas chromatography; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening of blood and urine for drugs of abuse; confirmations of drugs of abuse from blood and urine utilizing gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MSMSMS), liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), sample preparation using solid phase extraction (SPE) and associated equipment (positive pressure manifolds and sample concentrators), liquid/liquid extractions, and pipetting and centrifuges; and documentation of quality assurance and controls, maintenance logs, and results entered into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Forensic Scientist I: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. In addition, the following disciplines have specific minimum educational requirements: Toxicology Unit Assignment: Twenty-four (24) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry and/or toxicology completed successfully.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Forensic Scientist II: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. At least four years' experience in a crime laboratory as a Forensic Scientist or equivalent; and acceptance as an expert witness in court in at least one forensic discipline OR successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan for this classification. In addition, the following disciplines have specific minimum educational requirements. Toxicology Unit Assignment:Twenty-four (24) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry and/or toxicology completed successfully.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Forensic Scientist III: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. At least seven years' experience as a Forensic Scientist or equivalent in a recognized laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences; experience testifying in court as an expert witness; and state-of-the-art expertise in a specialized area of forensic science as described in the Distinguishing Features section, OR successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan for this classification: Toxicology Unit Assignment: Twenty-four (24) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry completed successfully.

Special Requirements. Forensic Scientist I, IIand III:Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire date.

Substance Abuse Testing. Forensic Scientist I, IIand III: Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Forensic Scientist I, IIand III: Experience as a Criminalist/Forensic Scientist in an internationally accredited laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences.

Link to Job Description

Forensic Scientist I - apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4609.pdf

Forensic Scientist II - apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4998.pdf

Forensic Scientist III - apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5351.pdf

Keywords: City of Mesa, Mesa , Forensic Scientist I, Forensic Scientist II, Forensic Scientist III for Toxicology, Other , Mesa, Arizona