Forensics Case Manager

Job ID: 30252
Agency: Health
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $27.49-$34.36 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: J
Closing Date: 01/31/2025

About Us:
The South Dakota Department of Health's programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live, work and play; provide education to help people make good health decisions; prepare for, respond to, and prevent public health threats; and support efforts to enhance quality and accessibility of healthcare. Our services touch the lives of every person in South Dakota.

We recognize that employees are our most valuable resource, and we are committed to promoting a culture of excellence in the Department of Health. We trust our employees to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions. We are interested in employing a culturally diverse and skilled workforce that exhibits the values of leadership, accountability, communication, integrity, and teamwork. Public health is a diverse and growing field that offers many career options for people from a variety of educational backgrounds. Imagine yourself as part of a winning team that is making the lives of South Dakotans healthier and safer.

Please visit our website at https://doh.sd.gov/ for further information about the Department of Health.

Job Summary:
Are you detail-oriented? We are currently seeking a skilled and organized technician to join our team. In this position, you will be the primary contact for Forensic submitters and play a crucial role in the preparation, processing, and management of evidence submitted for analysis or held for criminal action. Your responsibilities will include assisting chemists in evidence preparation, managing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database, inventorying evidence, and ensuring compliance with laboratory policies and state statutes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Evidence Preparation: Assist chemists in preparing evidence for analysis by organizing glassware, evidence, and paperwork required for examination.
• Customer Correspondence: Serve as the leader of the Forensic Section's customer correspondence, responding to inquiries via email, phone calls, and in-person requests. Provide routine information and route inquiries to appropriate staff members when necessary.
• Training: Train agency staff and law enforcement officials on proper procedures for evidence submission, handling, and disposal.
• Chain of Custody Maintenance: Maintain the integrity and security of evidence by tracking its movement through the laboratory and during judicial proceedings. Respond to court orders concerning evidence storage or disposal.
• Evidence Disposal: Prepare evidence for disposal and conduct periodic evidence destruction following agency procedures. Ensure compliance with laboratory policies and state statutes regarding evidence handling and disposition.
• Evidence Processing: Process incoming and outgoing evidence, determine missing information required for examination, and contact submitting law enforcement agencies. Ensure proper packaging and labeling of evidence for receipt, transfer, or returning to submitter.
• Database Management: Enter case information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database and keep laboratory personnel informed of examination time frames.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• two year degree in the science field preferred;
• exemplary interpersonal communication skills;
• valid driver’s license.

Knowledge of:

• agency rules and regulations, policies, and procedures;
• applicable federal and state statutes;
• effective methods of administration;
• communities and groups receiving services;
• the specific technical area assigned;
• procedures and techniques used in policy research, policy and program analysis, planning, contract review, and/or grant administration;
• Filing and organizational systems;
• Microsoft Office Suite.

Skill to:

• maintain a clean and organized working area;
• interact collaboratively with the SDPHL Forensic team and clients;
• prioritize work requests.

Ability to:

• gather, interpret, report, and use information concerning specified area of assignment;
• interpret and follow agency policies and procedures;
• assess program effectiveness and recommend changes or alternatives;
• train and provide guidance to staff;
• communicate information clearly and concisely;
• write grant proposals, preliminary budget requests, and related reports;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=10P
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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