Employment Opportunity
Forensic Seized Drug Chemist
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Augusta, Maine
Salary: $51,688.00- $72,467.20 per year
Final Filing Date: December 19, 2024
The Maine CDC Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) Forensic Chemistry section provides seized drug and forensic toxicology testing services to the citizens of Maine.
This position will perform complex analytical procedures to determine the presence of suspected controlled substances from evidence submitted by law enforcement, interpret and evaluate analytical results for reporting purposes, review and evaluate case contents to ensure work is scientifically valid and meets all laboratory requirements, and prepare written reports and testify as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Additionally, the position will assist with maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing specialized instrumentation including GC/MS, FTIR, and LC-QTOF. The position will also assist with validations of new methods and instrumentation, QA tasks including weekly and monthly maintenance on instruments, inventory of chemicals and standards, internal audits, document and procedure review, safety risk evaluations, and scheduling instruments for service.
Duties
Core Responsibilities:- Maintain care, custody and control of evidence to meet laboratory, legal, and accreditation standards
- Select specimens for testing and determine a sampling plan based on the evidence available
- Prepare and document the preparation of reagents and standards
- Perform basic statistical analyses on results
- Prepare analytical reports that summarize your findings
- Participate in staff meetings
- Provide support to law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys
- Participate in Proficiency Testing and other Quality Control Programs
- Provide testimony in a court of law for criminal proceedings
- Serve as back up evidence technician as needed
- Participate in method and instrument validations
- Assist in maintaining laboratory accreditation (ISO 17025) as needed
Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications: (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).- A Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related laboratory science and two (2) years professional level experience in analytical chemistry.
- Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
- At least 24 semester hours of Chemistry, which includes at least 8 semester hours of Analytical Chemistry
- The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners
- Previous experience examining evidence in a forensic lab for the presence of controlled substances and testifying in a court of law
- Previous experience signing / issuing final case reports
- Experience working in an ISO 17025 Accredited laboratory
- Experience working with Quality Assurance and Control practices and procedures
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills
- Experience performing validations
- Experience using advanced analytical instrumentation, including GC/MS, FTIR, LC, and LC-QTOF
- Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, a LIMS system, and instrumentation software
Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!
How to apply: Apply online 
Posted: December 7, 2024
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