Lab/Chemist Analyst

Job Summary:

The Forensic Analyst is a position in which the employee performs technical work in the scientific analysis of biological and non-biological samples. The employee in this position participates in both formal and on-the-job training programs. The Forensic Analyst shall be a person who has the appropriate education and experience to assume the required organizational, educational and administrative responsibilities required to analyze and process specimens and data in human performance and postmortem toxicology casework.

• Performs forensic evaluations of evidentiary items including; the identification, confirmation and quantitation of poisons, drugs and other xenobiotics in forensic biological and non-biological specimens. Possible exposure to blood borne pathogens and chemicals.
• Familiar with or ability to learn Microsoft word, excel and smart sheet
• Performs maintenance and operation of LC-MS/MS, GC-MS and GC-FID instrumentation, batch sequencing, data processing and troubleshooting.
• Must understand the importance of, and comply with, laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Chain of Custody (COC) documentation
• Requires collaboration and communication with supervisors, co-workers, and the Laboratory Director.
• Record findings and prepares technical laboratory records and supplies batches of test results for review and reviews co-workers batch data.
• Ensures that analyses are completed, and batch results are reported in a timely manner and data generated conforms to quality control standards and maintaining the controlled legal chain of custody requirements.
• Participates in proficiency tests in order to comply with national and state quality assurance standards; attends training classes.
• Follows safety protocol to ensure that proper safety practices are used within the laboratory and helps to maintain inventory by alerting the Laboratory Director when supplies are low.
• May testify in court to report laboratory methods of analyses and/or on chain of custody issues in order to support the laboratory findings.
• Performs related and ancillary duties as assigned.
• Teamwork, customer focus, achieving results, strong ethics, good communication skills, organization, strong mathematical skills, a strong desire to learn, attention to detail, appreciate the importance of being discreet with sensitive information, follow standard operating procedure, ability to dress in business attire for court appearance, and confidence in their work product.

Education: Bachelor's degree in a chemical or biological discipline. Possession of, or eligibility for, certification by the State of California Department of Public Health as a Title 17 Forensic Alcohol Analyst or Forensic Alcohol Analyst Trainee. Preferred - Bachelor's degree in forensic toxicology or forensics from an institution accredited in forensic science or forensic toxicology. Prior experience performing similar duties in an accredited forensic toxicology laboratory. Current recognition as a Forensic Alcohol Analyst under Title 17.

Chemistry background preferred; we will provide on the job training and will begin with simpler tasks working towards more complex tasks as competencies are achieved.