Forensic Scientist I, II, III (Forensic Chemistry Unit), Grade 20, 22, 25

This position may be underfilled at the Forensic Scientist I level, grade 20 (salary 62,872.00 – 99,710.00); or at the Forensic Scientist II level, grade 22 (salary 68,350.00 - $108,935.00); or at the Forensic Scientist III level, grade 25 (salary 77,629.00 – 124,575.00).

The employee in this role will be responsible for adhering to quality procedures; analyzing and identifying evidence for the presence of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) using analytical procedures; maintaining chain of custody requirements; preparing analytical reports; testifying in court as an expert witness; and performing other related duties as required.

An employee conducts examinations using the following techniques: macro and microscopic examinations; color tests; weighing samples; GC/MS, FT-IR, and LC/MS/MS.

Personal contacts include investigative officers to give and receive information; State's Attorneys and defense attorneys to discuss expert court testimony concerning the analysis of CDS evidence; laboratory personnel regarding matters regarding the collection, processing, and preserving of evidence; local, state, and Federal law enforcement representatives to articulate scientific concepts and technical information; as well as community engagement for education.

The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out assignments and has full technical responsibility for the work. Due to the sensitive legal nature of the work, the employee is required to apply complex technical procedures to make critical and accurate conclusions. Performance of the work at this position involves occasional exposure to harmful chemicals and occasional biohazardous materials on evidence.

The work requires strict observance of safety precautions and procedures in utilizing chemicals to perform various techniques applicable to CDS analysis. Performance of the work involves occasional periods of standing while conducting examinations at laboratory benchtops, and the lifting and carrying of evidence weighing up to fifty pounds.

Employee(s) selected for hire will be required to provide a buccal sample and fingerprints for elimination purposes.

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Minimum Qualifications:
Forensic Scientist Series: This position will be filled within the range of Forensic Scientist I through Forensic Scientist III based on prior experience and training. Subsequent promotions within the series are non-competitive and are based on experience.

Experience:

If filled at Forensic Scientist I - This is an entry-level position as a Forensic Scientist trainee. The incumbent for this level is not expected to be a qualified scientist.

If filled at Forensic Scientist II - Two (2) years of full-time professional experience conducting examinations of CDS.

If filled at Forensic Scientist III - Four (4) years of full-time professional experience conducting examinations of CDS.

Other specific Federal- of State-mandated experience shall apply as required.

All Level Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a natural, physical, or forensic science.

Candidates for forensic chemistry may also have a degree in medical technology, pharmacy, or pharmacology and must have coursework in organic chemistry and instrumental analysis

All Level Equivalency:

An equivalent combination of scientific education and forensic science experience may be substituted as permitted by applicable Federal and/or State mandates and certifying bodies.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Specialist Requirements:

Possession and maintenance of all times of a valid Class “C” (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence when required for job-related duties.

Certification by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (COMAR 10.10.09.01) to analyze CDS as a Certified Chemist must be obtained after the training period.

Must maintain compliance with any certification and training requirements mandated by law and/or certifying organization.

Note: There will be no substitutions for this section.

Preferred Criteria for Forensic Scientist I:

• Experience working within the Forensic Sciences in an accredited forensic laboratory

Preferred Criteria for Forensic Scientist II:

• Experience as a qualified expert in the field of CDS analysis in court
• Experience using GC/MS and FTIR instrumentation
• Experience interpreting results of analysis and writing conclusive reports in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Preferred Criteria for Forensic Scientist III:

• Experience as a qualified expert in the field of CDS analysis in court
• Experience using GC/MS, FTIR, and LC/MS/MS instrumentation

• Experience interpreting results of analysis and writing conclusive reports in an accredited forensic laboratory
• Experience assisting with project development and/or validation.