DNA Laboratory Forensic Chemist

Duties

Examples of Work

• Completes all required Serology and DNA job training.
• Assists members of the DNA Laboratory with case file management and evidence management.
• Assists with intake of evidence.
• Assures quality assurance ensuring safety regulations and standards are followed at all times.
• Joins the proficiency test cycle once trained.
• Conducts serological analysis on physical evidence to identify body fluids and performs Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA analysis on evidence according to established protocols once trained.
• Conducts quality control ensuring appropriate equipment usage and assisting with cleaning the laboratory.
• Assists the CODIS Administrator with matches.
• Testifies in court as required.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned, which may not be specifically listed in the position description, however, are within the general occupational category and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's class of work.

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

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biology, Forensic Science, or other Physical Science including course work totaling twelve (12) semester credit hours covering each of the subject areas of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Population Genetics or Statistics.
• Transcripts must be attached in order to verify eligibility
• In addition to completing a Prince George's County employment application, the applicant MUST provide specific information relative to each of the areas referenced in the statement of the minimum qualifications shown above. The information provided will be used to examine the applicant's qualifications for this position. Also, applicants must submit college transcripts with their application.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or other related field of natural science.
• Experience in how to accurately identify body fluids, extract DNA, conduct DNA Analysis, and perform mixture interpretation.
• Experience testifying in local and/or federal court systems as an expert witness.
• CODIS trained and a current CODIS user.
• Knowledge and experience with EZ1 Advanced XL; QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System; Veriti Thermal Cycler; 3500XL Genetic Analyzer; Globalfiler® PCR Amplification Kit; and STRmix probabilistic genotyping.
• Experience conducting forensic DNA analysis.
• Experience handling evidence in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Work Environment:

• Forensic Chemists complete the majority of their work within laboratories and may also spend time in an administrative/office setting or court room.

Conditions of Employment: Upon selection, the candidate must:

• Pass proficiency tests twice a year.
• Pass a drug screening.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Attend continuing education relevant to forensic DNA analysis.
• Have knowledge of Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Safety Protocol as required by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratory.
• Be willing to work assigned shift work (days/evenings/weekends/holidays).
• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
• Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties, if applicable.
• Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.

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