Criminalist I - Sr-20

Duties Summary

Performs a variety of standard physical, chemical, instrumental, and microscopic analyses of evidences in connection with crime detection and law enforcement work; assists with more complex investigations and studies, and with assigned phases of research projects; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Hawai'i Police Department - Criminal Investigations Division Crime Lab in Hilo.

Special Working Conditions: Irregular hours, shift work, and occasional exposure to obnoxious conditions.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Examples of Duties

• Examines and analyzes a variety of physical and chemical substances, materials, liquids and other evidence in accordance with prescribed standards, methods and techniques.

• Conducts chemical and physical laboratory tests to determine characteristics or composition of solid, liquid, or gaseous materials and substances using standard laboratory equipment and instruments.

• Conducts routine serological tests to determine blood type, origin and chemistry.

• Conducts examinations and analyses of narcotics, drugs, poison.

• Assists with firearm and ammunitions test firings.

• Mounts specimens for comparisons purposes.

• Conducts defaced serial number restorations using a variety of techniques.

• Conducts latent fingerprint examinations and development using a variety of techniques.

• Conducts routine microscopic examinations and comparisons on evidence samples.

• May report to crime scene to recover and preserve evidence; and render assistance to investigating officers.

• Prepares reports of investigations and analyses conducted; and maintains report files.

• Prepares reagents and performs routine laboratory maintenance duties.

• Compiles supply list for reagents and supplies for the laboratory.

• Appears in court to testify as an expert witness regarding evidence processed.

• Keeps abreast of technical developments in the field of forensics and criminalistics.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in chemistry or a related field (scan and attach a copy your official college transcript to your application), and
• one (1) year of laboratory work experience involving a variety of chemical analyses, and
• must be qualified to carry and/or possess firearm or ammunition on accordance with State and Federal laws, e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence conviction, and
• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i driver's license (Class 3) or any other comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire).

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully.Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: the principles of general, inorganic, and analytical chemistry, the methods and techniques of chemical laboratory analysis, laboratory procedures and practices; general principles, techniques and terminology used in physical and chemical diagnoses of substances, narcotics, drugs and poisons, uses and care of laboratory instruments and equipment.

Ability to: conduct standard chemical and microscopic examinations, use of standard laboratory instruments and equipment; analyze and interpret results of examinations and comparisons, learn to analyze a variety of substances including blood, blood stains, human exudates and excretion, drugs and narcotics, learn to process latent prints, learn to take casts of impressions at the scene of a crime, learn to conduct ballistic tests, keep records and prepare reports of laboratory procedures, observations and finding, explain results of tests, testify in court, and understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County employment:The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)

• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.

• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.

• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).

• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.

• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.

• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.

• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.

• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.

• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.

• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.

• Credit Union Membership

• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:

Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.