Forensic Scientist (Controlled Substances)

Salary : Depends on Qualifications

Location : Henderson, NV

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 1022APR24-P-TNB

Department : Police

Opening Date : 04 / 29 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Position Overview

• This is an open and continuous recruitment which will remain open for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days and close without notice once a sufficient pool of highly-qualified candidates has been created.

The City of Henderson announces an examination to create an eligibility list and to fill one (1) vacancy for the classification of Forensic Scientist (Controlled Substances) in the Police Department. The eligibility list may be utilized to fill vacancies for this classification for up to one (1) year.

Forensic Scientist I :

Under general supervision, performs a variety of scientific laboratory examinations and analyses on physical evidence for one or more Forensic science disciplines including Controlled Substances , Toxicology, Latent Print Examination, Trace Chemistry-Flammables, Firearms and Toolmarks, Questioned Documents, and Biology / DNA; and performs related duties as assigned.

Forensic Scientist II :

Under general supervision, performs a variety of scientific laboratory examinations and analyses on physical evidence in a discipline of the Forensic Laboratory, (including Controlled Substances , Toxicology, Latent Print Examination, Trace Chemistry-Flammables, Firearms and Toolmarks, Questioned Documents, and Biology / DNA); interprets test results, formulates conclusions, and prepare reports; provides scientific assistance to external parties and testifies in court as an expert witness; and performs related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidates for Forensic Scientist (Controlled Substances) will possess the following :

Experience determining proper scientific testing techniques and performing chemical, instrumental, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative laboratory tests on suspected controlled substances and illicit drugs

Experience isolating and separating analytes (qualitatively) from various matrices, including solid dose samples

Knowledge and experience in preparing and validating standards

Experience with Liquid Chromatograph / Mass Spectrometer (LC / MS), Gas Chromatograph / Mass Spectrometer (GC / MS) instruments, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

Knowledge of controlled substances and seized drugs

Courtroom testimony experience

Why come work for the City of Henderson Police Department?

A new state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory Facility is scheduled to be opened by the summer of 2024

Each scientist in our Laboratory is Board Certified in their respective disciplines

Henderson is ranked the 2nd safest large City in the United States

Salary and Benefits :

Base Wage increase upon successful completion of Initial Probationary or Qualifying Period

Pay for Performance Base Wage Increase or Lump Sum Bonus

Work-Life Balance

Four (4)-Day, 38 hour workweek (Monday to Thursday)

Leave and Holidays Policy

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Long Term Disability (LTD)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Policy

Retirement Benefits

Nevada PERS (Public Employees' Retirement System)

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) Account

Deferred Compensation - 457(b) and 401(a) Plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PLSF) through the Federal Government

Program, and much more!

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) :

Spec ial Note :

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a natural or applied science.

Three (3) years of full-time professional work experience related to a particular laboratory discipline, as a forensic scientist or equivalent, in a forensic laboratory conducting scientific laboratory analyses.

Must pass a nationwide fingerprint-based record check, and a wants / warrants check.

Must complete Security Awareness and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) certification within six months of hire / transfer and be recertified every two years. Must maintain certifications in NCIC / NCJIS as a condition of continued employment.

Must possess and maintain a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with science courses.

Six (6) years of full-time professional work experience related to the particular laboratory discipline, as a forensic scientist or equivalent, in a forensic laboratory conducting scientific laboratory analyses.

Must possess and maintain a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483.

Must pass a nationwide fingerprint-based record check, and a wants / warrants check.

Must complete Security Awareness and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) certification within six months of hire / transfer and be recertified every two years. Must maintain certifications in NCIC / NCJIS as a condition of continued employment.

Controlled Substances, Toxicology, or Trace Evidence / Trace Chemistry-Flammables, and Biology / DNA disciplines : Must be certified in one of the following areas within three years of employment or promotion to this position :

Certified Diplomate, Fellow, or Technical Specialist from the American Board of Criminalists

Certified Diplomate or Certified Fellow from the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)

Certification(s) in drug chemistry or toxicology from other recognized and accepted forensic certifying organizations

Required Documents / Assessment Information

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION :

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Supplemental Questionnaire

ASSESSMENT DATES :

Scored Supplemental Question Assessment

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this classification)

Selection Interview (Weighted 100%) - Date to be Determined

Best Qualified Candidates)

All applicants will be notified by email or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates / times / locations after the closing date of this announcement.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS :

If you are invited to participate in the assessment process, you will be required to self-schedule through the City of Henderson online application system. Please check your email and / or text messages on a regular basis after submitting your application for complete instructions, which include where and when to report.

The assessment and selection process for this position will take place on the dates listed above. All candidates who wish to be considered for this position will need to be in Henderson, Nevada, and make themselves available to participate in the testing process at any time on any of the dates listed above.

Selection Process

The selection process will entail Subject Matter Experts reading and scoring your responses to supplemental questions 11-15 and your answers will be the sole determining factor for placement on the eligibility list for this classification.

Subject Matter Experts will NOT have access to any information besides the answers to questions 11-15. This means that they will not have access to applications, resumes or any other identifying information when scoring. Candidates who have been placed on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview.

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best-qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. It is the responsibility of the candidate requiring accommodation to contact the Human Resources Department (preferably in writing) at the time of application.

IMPORTANT : Appointment is subject to the successful and timely completion of a post-offer pre-employment background investigation, polygraph examination, medical / physical examination, drug and alcohol test. Please see the job description to view the physical requirements of the job. As part of the background investigation, all claims of education and experience made in the employment application process, as well as other information submitted, will be verified.

NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. The selection process should be completed within four (4) months of the closing date. Candidates may reapply when there is a vacancy and a posting to establish an eligibility list. Some candidates may be disqualified indefinitely due to the results of their background investigation.

City of Henderson, Nevada

Non-Represented : FLSA Non-Exempt Employees

Benefits Summary

HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE

Employer paid Long Term Disability - Up to 60% of Base Wage, if approved

Employer paid Term Life Insurance / AD&D - $50,000 or 1X annual salary, whichever is greater

Employee Assistance Program - 6 Free Visits Per Issue Per Year for Employee and Family Members in the Household, and Access to Work / Life Wellness Resources

Medicare - Employee and City each pay 1.45%

RETIREMENT

No Social Security tax on employee's wages

Retirement Health Savings (RHS) program

Service based retiree health insurance premium subsidy after 15 years participating in this program

PAID TIME OFF (PTO)

From date of hire, new employee are credited with a minimum of 18 days

Second year through fifth calendar years of service - 17.42 hours per month

Sixth year through twelfth calendar years of service - 20.59 hours per month

Thirteenth calendar year of service and beyond - 23.75 hours per month

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

HOLIDAYS

Two (2) floating holidays per year (one in first year if hired on or after July 1st)

The ability to bank holidays, up to 152 hours, that fall on an employee's regularly scheduled day off

WORK WEEK

Four-day, 10-hour workday, 40-hour work week for Police PERS positions

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

IRC 401a Deferred Compensation Plan - new / hire employees only

IRC125 Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) - Medical and Dependent Care

Supplemental Insurance : Cancer / Catastrophic Illness, Accident, Short Term Disability, and Hospital Indemnity

Auto and Home Insurance

529 College Savings Plan

Supplemental Term Life Insurance

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Identity and Credit Protection

PerkSpot Employee Discounts Program

Long Term Care Life Insurance

NOTE : Benefits subject to change based on future administrative policy changes, changes to any applicable legislation, changes to elements of the City's voluntary benefits program, and at the discretion of the City Manager or City Council

Revised 03 / 24

For my application to be considered it must be fully complete, accurate and truthful, including :

Not completing the application as directed, unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process.

I have read and understand the above instructions regarding completing my application.

Do you currently possess a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license or the ability to obtain one upon hire as defined by NRS 483?

Which best describes your highest level of completed education from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural, physical, or applied science or a closely related field?

Please list your degree type and area of study. If none, please enter N / A.

Please list the dates of initial certification, expiration dates, and certifying body for all certifications you possess relevant to this field.

How many years of full-time professional level experience related to the particular laboratory discipline of Controlled Substances, as a forensic scientist or equivalent, in a forensic laboratory conducting scientific laboratory analyses do you possess? Your answer will be compared to the work history information on your application to determine if you meet minimum qualifications. 1 year of full-time experience = 1976 hours

If selected to move forward, do you acknowledge and understand that you must pass a nationwide fingerprint-based record check, and a wants / warrants check as a condition of continued employment?

If selected to move forward, do you acknowledge and understand that you must complete Security Awareness and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) / Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) certification within six (6) months of hire / transfer and be recertified every two (2) years as a condition of continued employment?

I understand that if I move forward to the background phase of this recruitment process, I must submit to an extensive Police Department background check which includes, but is not limited to, a polygraph which will include questions about my criminal history, employment history, drug use, tattoos, piercings, etc.

Supplemental Question Examination : I have read and understand that Questions 11-15 will serve as the assessment for this recruitment. I understand that my responses to these questions will be read and scored by Subject Matter Experts and my answers to these questions will determine if my qualifications support placement on the eligibility list for this classification.I understand the Subject Matter Experts who will NOT have access to any information besides my answers to these questions and they will not have access to my application, resume or any other information identifying me.

Please detail your education and training as it relates to this postion.

Please describe in detail your work or in-lab experience as it relates to this position.

Please detail your experience using any / all these systems : Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), LC / MS, GC / MS, and FTIR.

Explain in detail any courtroom testimony and / or testimony training you possess.

Explain your experience in handling and testing illicit and controlled substances in a workplace or lab environment.

Required Question

Salary : $1,000 - $50,000