Forensic Scientist 1/2/3 - DNA (12-4417) at State of Alaska, AK

About the Department

The recruitment is exempt from the hiring freeze (Administrative Order 358).

This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet 

Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

Forensic Scientist I is the first training level in the series whereby incumbents develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic analysis on Sexual Assault Kit evidence submitted to the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory.

A Forensic Scientist II is required to maintain and demonstrate proficiency in the processing of Sexual Assault Kit evidence and swab only cases. Working independently on routine cases, the incumbent will identify and test stains for the presence of blood and semen, collect and retain stains and perform analytical techniques to generate DNA profiles. The incumbent also prepares laboratory reports and provides expert witness testimony in judicial proceedings.

 A Forensic Scientist III is the journeyman or expert class and may be assigned to act as a discipline lead for Forensic Scientists I and II, or Forensic Scientists III training in that discipline. In addition to swabs and Sexual Assault Kit evidence, the incumbent processes a variety of evidence types, generates and interprets DNA profiles, prepares laboratory reports and provides expert witness testimony in judicial proceedings.

OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: 

We provide scientific support to the criminal justice system to help create a safer Alaska. All of our work is justifiable and transparent. We strive to be understandable or provide guidance where not understood. We work to standardized procedures within a robust quality assurance system. We are accountable to our stakeholders and the State of Alaska. We work diligently, reliably, and with the utmost integrity. This position will contribute to the mission of the laboratory by performing forensic casework, outreach and training to support the criminal justice system and the peoples of Alaska.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM:

The Forensic staff are a group of high-level thinkers engaged in continual innovative advancement aimed to improve the services provided to the Alaskan justice system.  We value an inclusive culture of transparency and freedom to express all ideas, continuous growth and wellness. 

THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT:

Primary location at the State Crime Lab in Anchorage. This position will involve laboratory and office work while interacting closely with management and other staff in the completion of forensic case work in the Forensic Biology Discipline Section of the laboratory.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

A Forensic Scientist II is required to maintain and demonstrate proficiency in the processing of sexual assault kit evidence as well as cases that involve swabs only. Applicants shall have successfully completed a training program that led to being qualified as a forensic DNA analyst as defined by the FBI Quality Assurance Standard for Forensic Testing Laboratories. The incumbent should possess working knowledge of biology, genetics, chemistry, and probability and statistical methods, and knowledge of forensic analysis and standard laboratory testing and principles, practices and techniques. The ability to speak and write clearly and effectively and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals is critical. 

Position Duties

FORENSIC SCIENTIST 1 - DNA:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related course of study, which includes the following three courses (9 semester/12 quarter lecture and/or laboratory hours): biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, in addition to coursework in statistics or population genetics. Other closely related courses may qualify.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST 2 - DNA:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related course of study, which includes the following three courses (9 semester/12 quarter lecture and/or laboratory hours): biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, in addition to coursework in statistics or population genetics. Other closely related courses may qualify.
And
Coursework in statistics as it relates to DNA analysis.
And
The successful completion of the State of Alaska flexible staffing plan for the DNA discipline.
And
One year of experience as a Forensic Scientist 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

The experience and flex plan may be earned concurrently.

OR SUBSTITUTION:
One additional year of Forensic Scientist 1 experience in the DNA discipline will substitute for the flex plan training.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST 3 - DNA:

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related course of study, which includes the following three courses (9 semester/12 quarter lecture and/or laboratory hours): biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, in addition to coursework in statistics or population genetics. Other closely related courses may qualify.
And
Coursework in statistics as it relates to DNA analysis.
And
The successful completion of the State of Alaska Forensic Scientist 2 flexible staffing plan for the DNA discipline.
And
Two years of experience as a Forensic Scientist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer.

The experience and flex plan training may be earned concurrently.

SUBSTITUTION:
One year of additional Forensic Scientist 2 experience in the DNA discipline will substitute for the flex plan training.

Special Note:
“Other closely related courses” should contain the following integral components:

• “Biochemistry”: structure, function, and interaction of biological macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, enzymes and chemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, signal transduction, metabolism, and/or cell membrane transport.
• “Genetics”: laws and patterns of inheritance, basic structure and function of genes and chromosomes, mutation, mitosis/Meiosis, recombination, and/or gene expression.
• “Molecular Biology”: prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome structure and function, interrelationship of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, transcription, translation, replication, gene expression and regulation, recombinant DNA techniques, PCR, and/or DNA sequencing.
• “Population Genetics”: estimation and testing of measures of allelic association within and between loci (Hardy-Weinberg principle); Description and estimation of measures of relatedness at the individual and population level (population structure); genetic drift, mutation, and/or migration and selection.
• “Statistics”: descriptive statistics, sampling uncertainty and sampling distributions, confidence limits and intervals, discrete and continuous variables, estimation and hypothesis testing to include the use of likelihoods, laws of probability and independence, and/or Bayes’ Theorem.

Employees will be expected to successfully pass multiple proficiency/competency tests annually.

Appointments to positions in the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory are subject to background requirements per ASCLD/LAB and the Department of Public Safety. A criminal background investigation, including fingerprinting, is required.

Minimum Qualifications

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is NOT required for this position.Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

AT TIME OF INTERVIEW:

• At the time of interview, we will need a resume, at least 3 professional references.
• Driver's License.

SPECIAL NOTE: 

• Requires testifying as an expert witness in a court of law.

• If using education to meet minimum qualifications, you must provide copies of official academic transcripts.

BACKGROUND CHECK

This position requires the incumbent to submit to a fingerprint based criminal history background check.  Due to the sensitive nature of this position, and required access to APSIN, an applicant with criminal convictions will not move forward in the selection process.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED- Combined posting (1/2/3)

This position is flexibly staffed. It may be filled at the 1, 2, or 3 level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at a lower level, promotion to the higher level will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
The successful candidate will be required to read, understand, and agree to via signature, an agreement of confidentiality concerning the work commonly encountered within the Department of Public Safety to qualify for this position.

EDUCATION 

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met.   Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package.  Please include the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time.  Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES 

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

 

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

 

NOTICE

If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘govermentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [email protected]

Other Qualifications

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Kyle Klopfer

Administrative Assistant 3

Phone: 907-269-5535

[email protected]

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