Title:  Forensic Scientist - Biology

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under limited administrative direction, this position performs technical criminalistics work for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and associated agencies in the Unified Forensic Laboratory (UFL). The work involves performing various tests and analyses on evidence to develop facts pertinent to criminal investigations, including the analysis of biological material from submitted evidence items; generating written technical reports of all examinations or analyses performed, court preparation and giving expert testimony in court proceedings.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required:

• Responsible for the recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of physical evidence pertinent to the investigation of a criminal act.
• Examines evidence items to discover, preserve, collect, photograph, and identify samples for analysis.
• Performs presumptive testing, confirmatory testing and DNA analysis on evidence items.
• Collects trace evidence.
• Interprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of law.
• Prepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedings.
• Prepares, processes and maintains a variety of written reports and records pertaining to lab processes and activities.
• Documents, handles, packages, and receives evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with established forensic practices under state and federal laws.
• Appears in court as an expert witness as required.
• Instructs others in forensics, DNA evidence collection, and provides training seminars, to include outside law enforcement agencies under mutual aid requests.
• May be assigned to train new employees and or act as a trainer to coworkers in specific specialty areas.
• May be asked to evaluate, apply for and/or monitor potential grant related programs and opportunities.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs required by the position.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance.
• Is available and willing to work overtime such as weekends and holidays as the Sheriff's Office or UMFCL Management determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• May perform duties both in the office and in the field.
• Interacts effectively with others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of modern forensic laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of the work flow of a forensic crime lab.
• Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidence.
• Must meet the education requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.
• Knowledge of DNA QAS documents and ISO 17025:2017 standards.
• Knowledge and use of the CODIS database systems.
• Knowledge of forensic DNA statistical calculations.
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by position.
• Ability to give professional expert testimony in courts of law.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Ability to get along well with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of experience in performing laboratory duties associated with the processing of in biological and DNA evidence in a law enforcement agency.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff’s Office.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: None

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:  Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE:  Three (3) to five (5) years of experience performing DNA Analyses in an accredited forensic laboratory. Experience with grant research, writing, and application.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• This position is subject to call for assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays as deemed necessary by the Sheriff’s Office and/or the management of the UMFCL.
• Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing or walking while in the field or office.
• Must possess sufficient strength to lift and carry equipment and/or evidence up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently pushes, pulls, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, reaches, handles and feels while in the field and office.
• Constantly uses oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the two way radio, intercom system and telephone.
• Constantly uses visual and fine/gross motor skills enabling the use of office and field equipment.
• Occasionally uses visual and fine/gross motor skills enabling the safe operation of a vehicle during normal, and hazardous weather situations.
• Frequently uses visual capacity, including color vision in order to distinguish color/descriptions of evidence items.
• Frequently uses olfactory sensory capabilities to detect hazardous situations.

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Personal contacts with individuals occur on a daily basis. Contacts include interaction with supervisors, subordinates, co-workers, other law enforcement/judicial personnel and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment includes primarily indoor locations, but may also include outdoor locations. Exposure to inclement weather and the elements may exist during crime scene examinations and analyses. Other hazards may include exposure to harmful chemicals, carcinogenic substances and fumes, although safeguards are provided.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".