About Our Job
TheDenver Police Department Crime Laboratoryis seeking applicants for a Forensic Scientist Associate positionwithin the Forensic Biology/DNA Unit.This is a permanent position.
This position performs forensic casework on evidentiary materials, including the evaluation and testing of evidence, DNA analysis, interpretation of analytical results, preparation of case reports, and expert witness testimony in courts of law. This individual will serve as a peer reviewer for forensic biology/DNA casework, as well as actively participate in the laboratory's ISO/IEC 17025 quality assurance/quality control program.
The Denver Crime Laboratory , as part of the Criminal Investigations Division, strives to aid victims through excellence in criminal investigation. The Crime Laboratory employs a variety of men and women career service employees to augment the investigation of criminal acts to make Denver a safer place to live.
Job responsibilities include:
- Conducts independent chemical and biochemicalanalysesof evidence to identify and confirm biological materials and interpret results for use in criminal investigations.
- Maintains chain-of-custody for evidence by recording descriptions of evidence, laboratory identification numbers, dates, times, tests performed, techniques used, and other pertinent information.
- Prepares a detailed, technical report for each case which records findings and interpretation of results. Consults with colleagues, investigators, and attorneys about findings and interpretation of results.
- Prepares court testimony that links findings with conclusions to withstand scrutiny by adversarial experts, assists with the establishment the scientific soundness of analytical methods, and communicates cases effectively to jurors.
- Trains law enforcement personnel, subordinates, colleagues, medical personnel, and interns in the collection, handling, and examination of evidence, the theory of laboratory instrumentation, techniques to link evidence with other findings, and in the principles of effective courtroom presentation.
- Operates and performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs on state-of-the-art laboratory and analytical instruments and equipment.
- Performs independent research to develop and implement new techniques and recommends acquisition of state-of-the-art instrumentation.
- By position, visits crime scenes as needed to independently identify, collect, and preserve physical evidence.
- By position, develops or modifies work plans, methods, and procedures, determines work priorities, and plans work schedule to meet testing deadlines.
- Provides work instruction and assists employees with difficult and/or unusual assignments.
- Resolves problems encountered during daily operations and determines appropriate solutions.
- Responds orally to informal grievances and relays information to the supervisor.
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- Three years of experience as a case working forensic scientist in an accredited laboratory.
We realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you donot have at least the following required minimum qualifications:
Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of professional criminalist and forensic analysis experience in toxicology, forensic biology/DNA, drug chemistry, trace-evidence, or other forensic discipline including a demonstrated competence in using job specific analytical instrumentation.
Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
License/Certifications: By position, requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
By position, possession of Certification by the International Association of Identification (IAI). Certified Latent Print Examiner is preferred and if not received at time of employment must be obtained within the twenty four (24) months of employment as a forensic scientist II in the Latent Print Unit.
The Denver Crime Laboratory is an ISO 17025: 2005 accredited laboratory system.
Condition of Employment:
It is a condition of employment that theDenverPolice Forensics & Evidence Division form for consent for collection of a DNA sample be completed at the time of hire.
About Everything Else
Job Profile
CE0412 Forensic Scientist Associate
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here .
Position Type
Unlimited
Position Salary Range
$72,887.00 - $120,264.00
Starting Pay
Based on education and experience
Agency
Denver Police Department
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.
