Serology/Dna Operations Technician

Position Description

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Serology/DNA Operations Technician Overview:

Under the direction of the Forensic Genetics Director, the employee will perform scientific examination and analysis of biological evidence collected in connection with death and criminal investigations. Testing may include screening for the presence of biological fluids and DNA analysis using PCR/STR based methods. Analyst may be required to testify regarding analysis in a court of law as an expert witness. The employee must follow all established protocols and procedures and may be assigned other tasks as deemed necessary by the Forensic Genetics Director.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct scientific laboratory examinations and analyses of specimens submitted by forensic pathologists and law enforcement officers from medico-legal and criminal cases.

• May prepare written reports that support the analytical findings and provide testimony as an expert witness in legal proceedings.

• Maintain at least a minimum level of productivity as determined by Forensic Genetics Laboratory Director.

• Participate in training, competency testing, and proficiency testing according to established protocols.

• Successfully complete proficiency testing requirements.

• Operate and maintain laboratory instruments.

• Train new lab employees as delegated by the Forensic Genetics Director.

• Participate in peer review of cases.

• Assist in ensuring the laboratory remains in compliance with the ANAB accreditation standards and the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.

• Maintain American Board of Criminalistics certification and meet ANAB standards and the FBI Quality Assurance Standards by attending continuing education/training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional meetings.

• Follow rigorously all Safety, Method Manual, and Quality Assurance / Quality Control protocols.

• Trace Evidence DNA Collection Team duties as applicable.

• Other duties as assigned by the Forensic Genetics Director or the Crime Laboratory Director.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a related field of physical science.

• Successful completion of a minimum of nine semester hours (or equivalent) of coursework in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.

• College coursework in the subject areas of statistics and/or population genetics.

Experience:

• One year of laboratory experience.

• A graduate level degree can substitute for the required laboratory experience.

Certification & Licensure:

• American Board of Criminalistics certification is required within two years of hire date.

• Must maintain a valid driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• The job requires work with laboratory chemicals and various biological fluids - potential exposure to blood borne pathogens

• Upon employment, the employee shall take and pass the licensure examination provided by the Texas Forensic Science Commission. Refer to Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 15, Chapter 651, Subchapter C, Rule §651.207 for additional licensure requirements.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Master of Science degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a related field of physical science with successful completion of a minimum of nine semester hours (or equivalent) of coursework in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.

Experience:

• Experience with evidence screening, DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification of STR fragments, and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer and/or ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of forensic DNA principles, laboratory techniques and technology.

• Knowledge of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, and capillary electrophoresis methods.

• Knowledge of biological evidence collection and preservation techniques, rules of evidence, forensic serology, basic human anatomy and physiology, and basic laboratory safety.

• Computer literacy in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) and familiarity with database applications such as JusticeTrax LIMS and CODIS.

• Membership in one or more professional forensic organizations and certification in a related area from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC).

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | 40 hours per week

• May include night, weekend, or evening shift work

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences

• Forensic Genetics Laboratory

• 2450 Holcombe Blvd., Suite 7 Houston, TX 77021

Work Environment:

• Office / laboratory setting

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. and sit or stand for long periods.

• Must have visual acuity sufficient to perceive minute differences and details and to withstand the strain of continued close work.

• Must successfully pass a test for colorblindness.

• Must have manual dexterity sufficient to conduct laboratory tasks as determined by the Forensic Genetics Director.

• Must provide a DNA sample to be maintained by the Forensic Genetics Laboratory for quality assurance purposes.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Wellness Plan

• Life Insurance

• Long-term disability

• Employee Assistance Program

• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

• Accrual rates increase based on years of service

• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or higher

• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Forensic Science

• Other Physical Science Related Field

• Unrelated Field

• N/A; No Degree

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Do you have successful completion of a minimum of nine semester hours (or equivalent) of coursework in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology?

• Yes

• No

05

Which of the following best describes your verifiable laboratory experience? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than one (1) year

• One (1) year but less than two (2) years

• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years

• Three (3) years or more

• I do not have this experience

06

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working in a laboratory. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: "January 2020 - December 2023" If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space provided.

07

Do you have experience with evidence screening, DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification of STR fragments, and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer and/or ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer?

• Yes

• No

08

Please provide details about your verifiable experience with evidence screening, DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification of STR fragments, and ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer and/or ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

09

Do you have a membership in one or more professional forensic organizations and/or a certification in a related area from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)?

• Yes

• No

10

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced

• Intermediate

• Basic

• Entry Level

• Not proficient

11

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License

• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date

• No, I'm not interested

12

An unofficial copy of your college transcript is required along with your application. (Please scan your transcripts and attach to this application before submitting).

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my complete transcripts.

• No, I have not attached the required transcript. I understand that this may result in disqualification from the employment process.

• N/A (not applicable)

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx