Assistant DNA Technical Leader (Forensic Scientist IV) - Police Crime Lab

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The mission of the Phoenix Police Department is to build and foster strong relationships with the community through our outreach and engagement, while adhering to the highest standards and traditions of the department. The Phoenix Police Department is committed to the Guiding Values of our P.R.I.D.E. Statement: Protection, Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication and Employee Excellence.

This Forensic Scientist IV position is for an Assistant DNA Technical Leader. This position will assist the DNA Technical Leader with implementingthe FBI's Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. The incumbent will assist with quality assurance monitoring and application, validation and implementation of new technologies and methodologies, training of Forensic DNA trainees, and internal audits and will act as the DNA Technical Leader when the current TL is out of the office.

The Forensic Scientist IV role provides:

• Technical assistance and training, evaluates and analyzes evidence, interprets results, and provides expert testimony related to the DNA analysis of evidence recovered from crime scenes.

• The scientific procedures utilized by the laboratory have the potential for linking a suspect to a crime, victim, or a scene.

• Must be qualified to provide expert witness testimony in court regarding DNA analysis as requested.

• May assist the Section Supervisor with planning day-to-day operations of their assigned section, serve as a lead scientist responsible for supervising, leading and managing a team of Forensic Scientists, and Laboratory Technicians assigned to the Laboratory Services Bureau and will report directly to a Section Supervisor.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Strong work ethic, good communication skills, abd the ability to work within a team.

• Interpersonal skills (projects, customer-facing experience, coaching).

• Ability to:

• Apply the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories

• Perform audits.

• Perform validations.

• Train and/or teach others.

SALARY

Pay and Hiring Range: $84,468.80 to $124,800 annually.

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.

• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

BENEFITS

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.

• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.

• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.

• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.

• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.

• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.

• Employer paid long-term disability.

• Free Bus/light rail pass.

• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.

• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.

• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.

• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, or a closely related field (must include a minimum of 24 credit hours in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) related coursework) from an accredited college or university.

• Minimum of 12 credit hours in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics and college coursework in statistics and/or population genetics; at least one of four courses for a minimum of 3 or more hours must be at the graduate level.

• Completion of two years of experience at the Forensic Scientist III level, or equivalent (6 years experience minimum), and has demonstrated competence, per accreditation requirements and/or national standards in assigned specialized forensic discipline.

• Upon request, must provide documentation such as unofficial transcripts.

• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.

• FORENSIC DNA SPECIALTY REQUIRES min of 9 credit hours college coursework in biochem, genetics, and molecular biology. Statistics & population genetics required. Extensive casework in lab analysis/interpretation of biological specimens for DNA analysis.

• The City job description can be found here.

• Positions in the Police Department must meet the background standards that are appropriate to non-sworn positions. The general factors for disqualification are listed here.

• Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any records returned will be reviewed to determine the candidate's suitability for the job.

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.

• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Master's degree in biology, chemistry, FS, or closely related field.

• Experience with/in:

• Quality assurance/quality control.

• Qiagen extraction chemistries.

• Planning, organizing, and managing multiple tasks.

• Automation/robotics for Forensic DNA.

• Applied Biosystems Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification chemistries.

• A lead/or supervisory role.

• STRmix or other probabilistic genotyping software.

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes May 21, 2024. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700.

REFERENCE

Forensic Scientist IV, JC:62940, ID# 54216, 5/8/2024, USM, BL, Benefits: 007.

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.