Forensic Scientist II – Drug ID Section (Vacancy)

Definition

The Columbus (Ohio) Department of Public Safety, Division of Police seeks highly qualified applicants for a Forensic Scientist II position in the Drug Identification Section of the Police Crime Laboratory. The selected candidate will join the Drug Identification team with an authorized strength of ten Forensic Scientists.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Examines and processes submitted evidence for the presence of controlled substances, structural analogs, and other select substances of interest using a combination of techniques including GC/MS, FTIR/ATR, GC/IR, DART TOF MS, and weight determination.
• Analyzes and interprets generated data using various software programs.
• Prepares and reviews technical reports based on results and conclusions.
• Communicates with law enforcement, court representatives, and other stakeholders through email, telephone, testimony, training opportunities, presentations, and laboratory tours
• Serves as project leader/trainer/committee member within the laboratory and/or forensic community.
• Performs instrument quality checks, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs.
• Completes continuing education to expand their knowledge of emerging drug trends, analytical procedures, and advancements in the forensic science field.

All duties shall be performed in accordance with the Crime Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Manual, Drug Identification Technical and Training Manuals, and Safety Manual.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher with at least twenty-one (21) semesters or thirty-two (32) quarter hours in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field
• Three (3) years of recent forensic laboratory experience with authorization to perform Qualitative Determination and Weight Measurement in the Seized Drugs discipline. A master’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. A doctorate in any of those fields may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Note to Applicants

• Due to the sensitive nature of this position, candidates receiving consideration after a successful interview will be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation, fingerprinting, and a polygraph examination conducted by the Columbus Division of Police. This process may take one month or more to complete.
• All offers of employment are conditional until the selected applicant successfully passes a pre-employment drug screening.
• As a condition of employment, the hired individual will be required to submit a DNA swab for entry into the Crime Laboratory’s local database.
• As a condition of employment, pursuant to federal law and/or the collective bargaining agreement, the hired individual will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing at unannounced times and dates.

Under direction, is responsible for performing fully–skilled professional scientific analyses to examine, identify, and evaluate physical and/or digital evidence; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the assigned forensic specialization(s) and related foundational sciences; considerable knowledge of crime laboratory equipment, instrumentation, hardware, software applications, operating systems, and procedures; considerable knowledge of laboratory safety; general knowledge of applicable accreditation standards in forensics; ability to perform, analyze, and interpret results of laboratory tests with minimal supervision; ability to think analytically and apply critical thinking in the analysis and interpretation of evidence and results; ability to write clear, concise reports and maintain accurate records; proficiency in public speaking; ability to identify and utilize personal protective equipment; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to instruct and lead the work of others; ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Examples of Work

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Analyzes evidence and prepares technical reports on findings within the assigned forensic specialization (s), such as forensic biology (DNA), drug chemistry, firearms, questioned documents, and digital evidence;

Examines and analyzes evidence samples using a variety of techniques including microscopy, chemical color testing, extraction, infrared spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry to identify the presence of controlled substances or for other purposes;

Performs appropriate separation and extraction procedures to obtain material suitable for analysis;

Examines physical evidence for biological fluids, such as blood and semen, and performs DNA analyses;

Examines and compares firearms, bullets, and cartridges to identify similarities among and between crime scene evidence and other obtained samples;

Examines and compares handwriting, typewriting, and printed matter with known writing and material to determine forgery from genuineness;

Analyzes digital and electronic evidence, including cell phones, computers, tablet computers, communication devices, social media websites, vehicle infotainment systems, home gaming systems, partially damaged or intact disks, and memory cards;

Analyzes videotapes and photographic images in analog and digital formats;

Testifies as expert witness in court;

Handles physical evidence according to chain of custody and laboratory procedures;

Formulates and implements training activities concerning laboratory procedures and analytical methods to police officers, prosecutors, and community groups;

Reviews scientific literature, researches analytical methods, and implements improvements to testing procedures as required;

Performs, documents, and records required laboratory activities such as activities related to case analyses, reagent preparation and tracking, or maintenance, service, or calibration of instrumentations;

Performs related miscellaneous laboratory duties; maintains work areas;

May train other forensic scientists in the proper performance of professional scientific analyses;

May serve as a project leader by providing guidance and planning and reviewing work products.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor’s degree with significant coursework (twenty-one (21) semester or thirty-two (32) quarter hours) in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field AND three (3) years of forensic laboratory or digital forensic analysis experience.

Substitution(s): A master’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience. A doctorate degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

Specific knowledge, skills, or abilities related to the specialization(s) for which appointment is being made may be required for some positions and will be incorporated in the job postings, as appropriate.

Test/Job Contact Information

Recruitment #: 24-1912-V3

Employment Type: Full-Time (Regular)

Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:

Heather Voege

Department of Public Safety

120 Marconi Blvd

Columbus, Ohio 43215

P: (614) 645-4753

E: HSVoege@columbuspolice.org

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

The City of Columbus seeks to promote compensation strategies that maximize the recruitment, performance, development, and retention of quality employees in support of the City’s Covenant and strategic plan. In addition to a competitive pay plan, the City offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes the following:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Short-term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Specifics about these benefit opportunities and eligibility can be discussed with one of the City’s human resources professionals at the time of your interview or by contacting the Department of Human Resources, Labor Relations Office at (614)645-7206 for further information.

Read Full Description