What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sheriff's Forensic Scientist position at Hennepin County, MN?
Salary : $72,332.54 - $108,498.82 Annually
Location : Downtown Minneapolis
Job Type : Full-time
Job Number : 24SHRF7450FM380
Department : Sheriff's Office
Division : Forensic Sciences
Opening Date : 01 / 30 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 6 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central
Description
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office's is seeking a Sheriff's Forensic Scientist for its Forensic Science Laboratory. The Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory is an ANAB ISO / IEC 17025 accredited forensic testing laboratory that provides forensic services to 36 law enforcement agencies, the Minnesota State Patrol, and multiple federal law enforcement agencies.
All Forensic Science Laboratory personnel are required to have a buccal sample collected for the purpose of generating a DNA profile to be included in the laboratory DNA contamination database.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit thepage.
Location and hours :
This position is at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory located at 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 in downtown Minneapolis. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. Based on current requirements hires must live in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About the position type :
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Sheriff's Forensic Scientist.
Click here to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will :
- Perform serological and forensic DNA analysis on biological evidence using current validated methodologies.
- Perform technical reviews of biology section casework to ensure both procedural and substantive compliance with applicable standards.
- Research, recommend, and validate new techniques, procedures, methods, and equipment used in the biology section of the laboratory.
- Ensure that evidence integrity and proper chain of custody protocols are followed.
- Assist with training new laboratory employees and law enforcement personnel.
- Maintain communication with other members of the criminal justice community regarding case status.
- Perform quality control procedures.
- Prepare written reports and other documents and prepare evidence for court presentations.
- Represent the laboratory at professional conferences, meetings, training sessions, and public events.
- Testify in court regarding test methods, test results, and laboratory operations.
Need to have :
Five years or more of experience as an examiner / scientist in an accredited forensic laboratory.
Nice to have :
Examining physical evidence using analytical instruments and forensic science techniques.
Apply scientific principles to the examination and testing of physical evidence.
About the department : The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office serves the county's 1.2 million residents. State law mandates most of the sheriff's office duties, including managing the county jail, providing security to the district court, and patrolling the waterways in the county.
The Sheriff's Office also runs specialized initiatives like Criminal Information Sharing and Analysis (CISA), Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Investigation, Community Outreach and Employee Wellness. The mission of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is : Providing quality professional services while building meaningful relationships that are sustainable within our communities, and with our partners, to ensure justice and safety for all.
About Hennepin County :
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that reduce disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
Invitations to interview will be based on an assessment of education and experience. Applicants must have no felony convictions and must successfully complete an extensive background investigation that includes criminal, employment and financial checks, psychological assessment and drug testing during the six-month probationary period.
If you have any questions, please contact :
Tanisha Foster
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including :
By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more : bridge.hennepin.us / eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation / Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and / or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
This position is located at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory located at 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 in downtown Minneapolis. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. Based on current requirements hires must live in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
In which of the following fields have you earned a degree? Check all that apply.
What is the highest degree you have earned in the field(s) you indicated above?
Describe your relevant education, referencing to area(s) of study, school(s) attended and credits / certificate(s) / degree(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
In which of the following areas of study do you have three or more undergraduate or graduate semester credits? Check all that apply.
In which of the following areas of study do you have coursework? Check all that apply.
How many years of experience do you have performing DNA analysis in a forensic science laboratory environment?
Briefly describe your experience performing DNA analysis in a forensic science laboratory environment, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
Do you have any experience designing, executing, and implementing validations of new forensic methods or technology?
Describe your experience in designing, executing, and implementing forensic validations, listing specific methodologies and technologies, referencing jobs listed on your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
Select the disciplines in which you have been qualified to perform unsupervised casework. Check all that apply.
Do you have experience presenting forensic evidence in court?
Describe your experience presenting evidence in court, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
Do you have work experience where you had responsibility for preserving evidence integrity or maintaining chain of custody for evidence?
Describe your work experience preserving evidence integrity or maintaining chain of custody, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
Do you have experience using specialized laboratory equipment, computers, and computer software to evaluate, compare and identify, and document evidence?
Describe your experience using specialized laboratory equipment, computers, and computer software to evaluate, compare and identify, and document evidence, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
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Required Question
Salary : $72,333 - $108,499
