Forensic Scientist - Controlled Substances

Duties

Forensic Scientist I ($59,401.47 - $88,572.85 annually)

• A Forensic Scientist I is responsible for applying the physical sciences to the investigation of crimes by learning to perform laboratory examinations of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. An employee in this class receives extensive training under direct supervision. A Forensic Scientist I writes scientific examination reports, prepares findings for court presentation, testifies in court, and discusses laboratory results with officers and attorneys. Personnel in this job classification work under close supervision from more experienced personnel and subject matter experts. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
• This is a professional entry-level class in the Forensic Scientist series. Incumbents in this class receive training in higher skill level duties and perform examinations under close supervision. An employee in this class reads relevant materials and attends training sessions in all aspects of forensic laboratory practices. Routine work is performed independently, but assignments that are more complex may be performed under direct supervision depending on the level of difficulty. A Forensic Scientist I is distinguished from the Forensic Scientist II class by the latter's competence/expertise in more areas of forensic science and recognition as an expert witness in court. All work is performed in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures, federal/state guidelines, and accreditation standards. Employees in this class work with chemicals and other hazardous materials. As training progresses, incumbents are expected to exercise independence and good judgment. A Forensic Scientist I may progress by noncompetitive promotion to the classification of Forensic Scientist II after successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan, which include four years of forensic laboratory experience. This class is supervised by a Forensic Scientist Supervisor who reviews work in progress and through reports, meetings, and results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt-professional.

Forensic Scientist II ($68,754.19 - $102,518.83 annually)

• A Forensic Scientist II performs specialized forensic evaluations and/or complex forensic examinations of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. A Forensic Scientist II is recognized as an expert in at least one area of forensic science, which may include blood alcohol analysis, controlled substance identification, latent print comparison, toxicology, serology, DNA testing, arson, firearms/toolmark examination, or trace evidence analyses. A Forensic Scientist II writes scientific examination reports, prepares findings for court presentation, testifies in court, and discusses laboratory results with officers and attorneys. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
• This class is considered a journey-level position in the Police Department Forensic Services Forensic Scientist series. Incumbents in this class have progressed by non-competitive criteria-based promotion through successful completion of all stipulated requirements or meet the education and experience requirements prior to being hired by the City of Mesa Police Department. Employees in this class may receive further training in order to progress by non-competitive promotion to the classification of Forensic Scientist III upon successful completion of requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan and the requirements of the class. A Forensic Scientist II may conduct field investigations at crime scenes to search for, collect, and preserve evidence for laboratory analysis; and reconstruct situations and physical evidence of a crime in the demonstration of proof of the connection of persons, instruments, or materials with the crime. The Forensic Scientist II class is distinguished from the Forensic Scientist III class by the latter's state of the art expertise and years of laboratory experience. A Forensic Scientist II is supervised by a Forensic Scientist Supervisor through on-the-job observations, reports, meetings, and results achieved. All work is performed in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures, federal/state guidelines, and accreditation standards. A Forensic Scientist II works with chemicals and other hazardous materials. This class is FLSA exempt-professional.

Forensic Scientist III ($83,566.91 - $124,603.65 annually)

• A Forensic Scientist III performs highly specialized forensic evaluations and/or examinations in connection with the identification and comparison of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Forensic Services. A Forensic Scientist III operates, maintains, programs, and interprets data from highly technical and/or computerized instrumentation, such as an automated blood alcohol analysis system, a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, or DNA-related equipment, depending on assignment. Further responsibilities include: preparing and conducting officer training; assisting with the development and monitoring of a quality assurance program; conducting field investigations at crime scenes; troubleshooting; maintenance and validation of instrumentation; method development and validation; consulting and coordinating with experts, police officers, and attorneys; writing technical, scientific reports; and providing expert testimony in court. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
• Forensic Scientist III is a professional class in the Forensic Scientist series which involves work in specialized areas of forensic science, such as arson, drug identification, toxicology, blood alcohol, breath alcohol, serology, DNA testing, trace evidence analyses, and/or firearm, tool mark, and impression examination. This position is the highest level in the Forensic Scientist series and may be responsible for the technical work direction and training of subordinate Forensic Scientists in all operations and in evidence processing. An employee in this class provides guidance, training, and technical assistance to less experienced personnel. Incumbents in this class have progressed by non-competitive promotion through successful completion of all stipulated requirements in the criteria-based promotion plan or meet the education and experience requirements prior to being hired by the City of Mesa Police Department. An employee in this class may conduct field investigations at crime scenes to search for, collect, and preserve evidence for laboratory analysis; and reconstruct situations and physical evidence of a crime in the demonstration of proof of the connection of persons, instruments, or materials with the crime.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Forensic Scientist I:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. In addition, the following disciplines have specific minimum educational requirements: Controlled Substances Unit Assignment: Twenty (20) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry completed successfully.

Forensic Scientist II:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. At least four years' experience in a crime laboratory as a Forensic Scientist or equivalent; and acceptance as an expert witness in court in at least one forensic discipline OR successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan for this classification. In addition, the following disciplines have specific minimum educational requirements: Controlled Substances Unit Assignment: Twenty (20) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry completed successfully.

Forensic Scientist III:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or closely related natural science. Job related experience may substitute for the degree requirements on a year-for-year basis. At least seven years' experience as a Forensic Scientist or equivalent in a recognized laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences; experience testifying in court as an expert witness; and state-of-the-art expertise in a specialized area of forensic science as described in the Distinguishing Features section, OR successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the criteria-based promotion plan for this classification. In addition, the following disciplines have specific minimum educational requirements: Controlled Substances Unit Assignment: Twenty (20) credit hours of college coursework in chemistry completed successfully.

Special Requirements. Forensic Scientist I, II, and III:

• Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation examination is required. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date.

Substance Abuse Testing. Forensic Scientist I, II, and III:

• Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications. Forensic Scientist I, II, and III:

• Experience as a Criminalist/Forensic Scientist in an internationally accredited laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences.

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