Forensic Lab Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Compensation Range$48.29 - $61.17

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Job Description SummaryThe Forensic Scientist III is a civilian employee of the Weld County Sheriff's Office who functions as a senior level scientist with significant experience, technical knowledge and technical skills related to lab disciplines: Chemistry, Firearms, Digital Multimedia, Latent Print, or Biology. This position can be assigned a supervisory role as a section supervisor, technical lead-worker, technical trainer for a section, or an analyst knowledgeable and skilled in more than one lab discipline.
They are responsible for performing complex analyses on physical evidence in criminal cases submitted to the forensic laboratory, interpreting analytical results, preparing written opinion reports, and testifying as experts in courts of law. This position focuses on maintaining the laboratory's quality processes and ensuring operational compliance with all certifications, accreditation, and legal standards and requirements. This position has the authority to stop casework processes if a problem occurs and the accountability for quality of casework product, compliance documentation, validation of new technology and methods, validation of new personnel beginning in casework, and investigation of casework errors and implementation of corrective measures.
If supervisory duties are assigned, they may include the following:
Section supervisor; supervise forensic scientists/examiners in a specific discipline(s)
Technical lead position; maintain control over the technical operations of a specific discipline(s)
Technical trainer; maintain training records for other examiners within the discipline, training program design and research.
Criminalist II:
$45.97- $58.23
Criminalist III:
$48.29- $61.17

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Job Description

Criminalist II:

Essential duties and responsibilities - 80%

• Documents and protects evidence according to laboratory procedures, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained.
• In an assigned forensic science discipline, examines and analyzes evidence in complex case requests where interpretations could lead to less definitive weighted conclusion, selecting appropriate methods, techniques, and instruments.
• Prepares detailed investigation and laboratory reports; assembles and organizes statements, evidence and exhibits for presentation in court and before grand jury; and attends court and grand jury proceedings and presents evidence and provides testimony effectively based on expert opinion of findings.
• Provides peer review and participates in proficiency testing to maintain expertise.
• Utilizes computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet and/or file maintenance programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information as requested or otherwise necessary and summarizes data in preparation of standardized reports. May utilize a specialized computer database for evidence comparisons.
• Trains law enforcement personnel and community groups in proper techniques and procedures of recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence and general Criminalistics. Prepares and conducts classroom and field instruction and demonstrations.
• Assists the District Attorney's office in preparation of specialized diagrams or other displays for use in trials resulting from activities at major crime scenes or in the course of analysis of casework.

Important duties and responsibilities - 20%

• May assist with the identification, collection, and acquisition of evidence at crime scenes, as assigned.
• May perform scientific research.
• May be assigned to supervise lower-level staff in setting up workload schedules or "rush" case assignments.
• Must successfully complete all laboratory training requirements for assigned discipline.
• May assist with training newer staff members.

Criminalist III:

Essential duties and responsibilities - 80%

• Provides technical leadership to analysts working in a specific discipline (or disciplines) within the forensic laboratory.
• Assists with the training of new personnel, monitoring their progress, and facilitating consistency in training programs.
• Assists the Lab Director with documenting and maintaining section compliance with all certifications, accreditation, and legal standards and requirements.
• Provides detailed reports and recommendations regarding technical problems, errors, and discrepancies in casework.
• Documents and protects evidence according to laboratory procedures, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained.
• In an assigned forensic science discipline, independently examines and analyzes evidence in complex case requests where interpretations could lead to less definitive weighted conclusion, selecting appropriate methods, techniques, and instruments.
• Prepares detailed investigation and laboratory reports; assembles and organizes statements, evidence and exhibits for presentation in court and before grand jury; and attends court and grand jury proceedings and presents evidence and provides testimony effectively based on expert opinion of findings.
• Provides peer review and participates in proficiency testing to maintain expertise.
• Utilizes computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet and/or file maintenance programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information as requested or otherwise necessary and summarizes data in preparation of standardized reports. May utilize a specialized computer database for evidence comparisons.
• Trains law enforcement personnel and community groups in proper techniques and procedures of recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence and general Criminalistics. Prepares and conducts classroom and field instruction and demonstrations.
• Reviews professional journals and current bulletins and maintains knowledge of trends and developments in forensic investigation methods and techniques.
• Assists with the annual budget proposals in coordination with the Laboratory Director, including analyzing past and future expenditures to determine resource needs.
• Assists in maintaining adequate stock of consumables and reagents and helps perform routine maintenance of instrumentation and equipment within section. Maintains a clean, professional workspace, and helps prioritize caseload.
• Ensures quality of all lab work and maintains records of all actions.

Important duties and responsibilities - 20%

• May assist with the identification, collection, and acquisition of evidence at crime scenes, as assigned.
• May perform scientific research.
• Serves on committees as assigned.
• Must successfully complete all laboratory training requirements for assigned discipline.

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Required Qualifications

Criminalist II:

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminalistics, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Physics, Forensic Science, Computer Science, or a field related to the work assignment. Examples of related fields, including but not limited to, are pharmacology, medical technology, genetics, analytical chemistry, clinical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, or toxicology. Chemistry - successful completion of at least 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of chemistry and 5 semester or 8 quarter hours of physics.Specific academic coursework requires evaluation and formal approval from the Chemistry Technical Leader. Biology (DNA) - successful completion of undergraduate or graduate level coursework totaling at least nine cumulative semester credit hours (or equivalent) in the following subjects: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and statistics. coursework or training in statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis. The DNA Program Manager must evaluate and approve these specific classes.

Experience Qualifications

• 2 years authorized technical experience in a forensic science laboratory performing analyses of physical evidence, which includes testifying as an expert witness in courts of law in one or more of the listed forensic disciplines.

Skills and Abilities

• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Must possess normal color vision and be able to distinguish color variations accurately.
• Ability to pass a standard color vision test (such as Ishihara) may be required.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; and the ability to count, sort, and categorize inventory items.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables, in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to operate telephones, computer terminal, keyboard, photocopier, printer/scanning instrumentation, and specialized equipment specific to the assigned discipline.
• Candidates must pass a criminal background check prior to employment start date.
• Candidate must pass criminal background check prior to employment start date.

Licenses and Certifications

• DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State Valid state-issued driver's license (Required)
• Latent print examiners must be currently certified by IAI as a Latent Print Examiner. (Required)
• Firearms examiners must be AFTE members and authorized to perform independent casework in firearm examinations. (Required)
• Digital Multimedia examiners must be IACIS certified. (Required)
• Forensic Biologist must be authorized in serology and/or forensic biology certified by the American Board of Criminalistics. (Required)
• Pre-employment substance screening is required for this position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening in accordance with Weld County policy.

Criminalist III:

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree From an accredited college or university in Criminalistics, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Physics, Forensic Science, Computer Science, or a field related to the work assignment. Examples of related fields, including but not limited to, are pharmacology, medical technology, genetics, analytical chemistry, clinical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, or toxicology.

Experience Qualifications

• 5 years Technical experience in a forensic science laboratory performing analyses of physical evidence, which includes testifying as an expert witness in courts of law.
  Chemistry - successful completion of at least 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of chemistry and 5 semester or 8 quarter hours of physics.
  Biology (DNA) - successful completion of undergraduate or graduate level coursework totaling at least nine cumulative semester credit hours (or equivalent) in the following subjects: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and statistics and/or population genetics.

Skills and Abilities

• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; and the ability to count, sort, and categorize inventory items.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables, in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to operate telephones, computer terminal, keyboard, photocopier, printer/scanning instrumentation, and specialized equipment specific to the assigned discipline.
• Candidate must pass criminal background check prior to employment start date.

Licenses and Certifications

• DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State Valid state-issued driver's license (Required)
• Latent print examiners must have a current IAI Latent Print Certification and knowledge in a second discipline (serology, shoe and tire track, or DME) to meet the minimum requirements for Criminalist III position. (Required)
• Firearms examiners must be AFTE certified and have knowledge and skills (serology, latent print, DME) in a second discipline to meet the minimum requirement for Criminal III (Required)
• Discipline specific certifications are required. Certification expenses will be paid for by the employer. (Required)
• Forensic Biologist must be certified by the American Board of Criminalistics.
• Pre-employment substance screening is required for this position.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening in accordance with Weld County policy.

This position is non-exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay.
As an applicant for this position, you should be aware of Senate Bill 19-085, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The act requires employers to announce the pay range for job openings.

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Use the link below to get a closer look at the generous benefits offered:

https://www.weld.gov/Government/County-Information/Join-Our-Team/Employee-Benefits

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Weld County is an equal employment opportunity employer. We ensure that all employment practices are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Weld County pledges to uphold a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, promoting fairness and dignity for all employees. We actively take affirmative action to comply with nondiscrimination policies and invite qualified individuals in need of reasonable accommodations to contact our Human Resources Department athumanresources@weld.govor(970) 400-4234.