DNA Forensic Scientist IV - Police Crime Lab

About This Position

Are you ready to make a difference in your community and Rise to Serve? Join us in making a positive impact to ensure safety, uphold justice, and become a proud member of the Phoenix Police Department family! The mission of the Phoenix Police Department is to build and foster strong relationships with the community through outreach and engagement while adhering to the highest standards and traditions of the Phoenix Police Department.

The Phoenix Police Crime Lab is seeking a Forensic Scientist IV. Provides technical assistance and training, evaluates and analyzes evidence, interprets results and provides expert testimony related to the full spectrum of physical evidence recovered from crime scenes,. Some of the scientific procedures utilized by the laboratory have the potential for linking a suspect to a crime, victim, or a scene.

The Forensic Scientist IV classification applies physical sciences to the investigation of crimes by performing laboratory analyses on physical evidence collected from crime scenes in the areas of Evidence Screening, Latent Prints, Forensic Biology, Controlled Substances, Trace/Arson, Toxicology, and Firearms. This position must be qualified to provide expert witness testimony in court regarding various facets of the classification as requested. Forensic Scientist IV may assist the Section Supervisor with planning day-to-day operations of their assigned section, serve as a lead scientist responsible for supervising, leading and managing a team of Forensic Scientists and Laboratory Technicians assigned to the Laboratory Services Bureau and will report directly to a Section Supervisor.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Strong work ethic, good communication skills, the ability to work within a team.
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.
• Familiarity with CODIS and CODIS eligibility requirements.
• Ability to adapt quickly and effectively to new circumstances.
• Proficient in planning, organizing, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Capable of working autonomously with little supervision while also being a collaborative team player.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, materials, equipment, and current techniques used in Forensic DNA analysis.
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills including teamwork, leadership, conflict management, active listening, empathy, and the ability to motivate others.
  
  
  

SALARY

Hiring Range: $84,469 to $124,800 annually.

Pay Range: $84,469 to $107,806 annually.

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
  
  
  

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
  
  
  

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a closely related field (must include a minimum of 24 credit hours in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) related coursework) from an accredited college or university.
• Completion of two years of experience at the Forensic Scientist III level, or equivalent (6 years experience minimum), and has demonstrated competence, per accreditation requirements and/or national standards in assigned specialized forensic discipline
• Upon request, must provide documentation such as unofficial transcripts.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum qualifications may be substituted.
• FORENSIC DNA SPECIALTY REQUIRES min of 9 credit hours college coursework in biochem, genetics, and molecular biology. Statistics & population genetics required. Extensive casework in lab analysis/interpretation of biological specimens for DNA analysis.
• The City job description can be found here .
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here .
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Competent in the principles, analytical procedures, and techniques of complex analytical instrumentation used in the analysis of biological specimens for DNA analysis.
• Experience with:
• STRmix software.
• Supervising others.
• Qiagen and ABI chemistries/instruments.
• Planning, organizing and managing multiple tasks at once.
• Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) administration/usagor.
  

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes June 10, 2024. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list.This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

How To Apply

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700 .
  
  
  

REFERENCE

Forensic Scientist IV, JC:62940, ID# 53628, 5/2/2024, USM, SA, Benefits: 007.

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Salary : $84,469 - $124,800