Forensic Scientist III

Agency Dept of Justice Division State Crime Lab Investigation Job Classification Title Forensic Scientist III (S) Position Number 60010647 Grade NC18

The primary purpose of the Drug Chemistry Section is to provide the North Carolina Criminal Justice System with trained and experienced forensic scientists who analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations. The forensic services provided include laboratory analysis and expert witness testimony in the areas of controlled substances, drug dilution, drug tampering, and clandestine drug laboratories. The primary purpose of this Forensic Scientist III is to perform casework at all levels – an equitable share of the analyses performed by the Section, prepare written reports of the results of the analyses; provide expert testimony in court on the results of the analyses. CASE WORK and REPORT WRITING The Forensic Scientist III performs casework on various types of evidence seized by Law Enforcement officers in the course of drug investigations, including clandestine laboratory evidence, drug tempering/dilution evidence, and cases that involve tempering of food products. COLLATERAL DUTIES Forensic Scientists help to maintain the laboratory equipment and instrumentation and may perform repairs. Forensic Scientists, using current SOPs, prepare chemical reagents, solvents, and perform and document quality control tests on chemical reagents, solvents, equipment, and instrumentation. The Forensic Scientist in this position will be responsible for collateral duties as assigned. PEER REVIEW OF CASEWORK This position is responsible for the technical review of their peer’s laboratory reports to ensure they meet laboratory standards for quality assurance prior to issuance. It is the reviewer’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed, and that there are no administrative errors in the case’s report or supporting documentation. This position will review reports related to drug investigations, including clandestine laboratory evidence, drug tempering/dilution evidence and cases that involve tampering of food products. COURT TESTIMONY and COMMUNICATION The Forensic Scientist must testify in state and federal courts as to his/her analysis of the evidence. The Forensic Scientist participates in competency and proficiency testing. Some travel, including some occasional overnight stays are required. The selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: polygraph credit and arrest checks interviews with associates to include personal and business references, past employers, and neighbors verification of education achievement fingerprinting urinalysis drug screening Out of state applicants: After the initial interview, this may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense to undergo the background investigation process. The State Crime Laboratory of the Department of Justice maintains a full-service forensic science laboratory to assist all law enforcement agencies in North Carolina in the investigation of criminal matters. The Laboratory’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art forensic services in the areas of drug analysis, blood alcohol/drug content, firearms, latent prints, footwear and tire tracks, forensic biology, computer forensics, and trace evidence. The services are provided from a central laboratory in Raleigh, N.C. and regional laboratories located in Edneyville, N.C. and Greensboro, N.C. Learn more about the lab here:https://ncdoj.gov/crime-lab/ Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Five years or more of forensic laboratory experience, to include the use of GCMS and FTIR instrumentation. Experience with Forensic Advantage (Laboratory Information Management System). Certification with the American Board of Criminalistics in Drug Analysis and Seized Drug Analysis Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry, toxicology, pharmaceutical science with chemistry concentration (organic, inorganic, analytical or physical), forensic science (with concentration in chemistry or toxicology), biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience performing bench level analysis in drug chemistry / toxicology; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Necessary Special Requirement: Must obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within eighteen months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity. The North Carolina Department of Justice, includes the North Carolina State Crime Lab, the North Carolina Justice Academy, and the Sheriffs’and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Divisions. The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits. Supplemental Information: Resumes and cover letters: To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. This information is used to determine if you meet the requirements of the position, and if you are selected, it is used to determine a salary offer. Using the terms "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will not be accepted, and your application will be rejected as incomplete. Cover letters are highly encouraged but not required. Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application. Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.

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