Job Description

Full job description

Definition

The Columbus (Ohio) Department of Public Safety, Division of Police seeks highly qualified applicants for a Forensic Scientist II position in the Firearms section of the Police Crime Laboratory.



Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Examine firearms for operability and collect test fires for use in NIBIN database
• Conduct microscopic comparisons of firearms-related evidence
• Conduct verifications of comparisons completed by other Forensic Scientists
• Write laboratory reports
• Complete technical and administrative reviews of casework completed by others
• Administrative duties including logging laboratory requests and transferring evidence
• Communicate with detectives and prosecutors about case information
• Provide courtroom testimony as an expert witness
• Train other forensic scientists
• Serve as project leader for laboratory projects

Note to Applicants

• Due to the sensitive nature of this position, candidates receiving consideration after a successful interview will be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation, fingerprinting, and a polygraph examination conducted by the Columbus Division of Police. This process may take one month or more to complete.
• All offers of employment are conditional until the selected applicant successfully passes a pre-employment drug screening.
• As a condition of employment, the hired individual will be required to submit a DNA swab for entry into the Crime Laboratory’s local database.
• As a condition of employment, pursuant to federal law and/or the collective bargaining agreements, the hired individual may be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing at unannounced times and dates.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the assigned forensic specialization(s) and related foundational sciences; considerable knowledge of crime laboratory equipment, instrumentation, hardware, software applications, operating systems, and procedures; considerable knowledge of laboratory safety; general knowledge of applicable accreditation standards in forensics; ability to perform, analyze, and interpret results of laboratory tests with minimal supervision; ability to think analytically and apply critical thinking in the analysis and interpretation of evidence and results; ability to write clear, concise reports and maintain accurate records; proficiency in public speaking; ability to identify and utilize personal protective equipment; ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to instruct and lead the work of others; ability to maintain confidentiality.

Under direction, is responsible for performing fully - skilled professional scientific analyses to examine, identify, and evaluate physical and/or digital evidence; performs related duties as required.

Examples of Work

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Analyzes evidence and prepares technical reports on findings within the assigned forensic specialization (s), such as forensic biology (DNA), drug chemistry, firearms, questioned documents, and digital evidence;

Examines and analyzes evidence samples using a variety of techniques including microscopy, chemical color testing, extraction, infrared spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry to identify the presence of controlled substances or for other purposes;

Performs appropriate separation and extraction procedures to obtain material suitable for analysis;

Examines physical evidence for biological fluids, such as blood and semen, and performs DNA analyses;

Examines and compares firearms, bullets, and cartridges to identify similarities among and between crime scene evidence and other obtained samples;

Examines and compares handwriting, typewriting, and printed matter with known writing and material to determine forgery from genuineness;

Analyzes digital and electronic evidence, including cell phones, computers, tablet computers, communication devices, social media websites, vehicle infotainment systems, home gaming systems, partially damaged or intact disks, and memory cards;

Analyzes videotapes and photographic images in analog and digital formats;

Testifies as expert witness in court;

Handles physical evidence according to chain of custody and laboratory procedures;

Formulates and implements training activities concerning laboratory procedures and analytical methods to police officers, prosecutors , and community groups;

Reviews scientific literature, researches analytical methods, and implements improvements to testing procedures as required;

Performs, documents, and records required laboratory activities such as activities related to case analyses, reagent preparation and tracking, or maintenance, service, or calibration of instrumentations;

Performs related miscellaneous laboratory duties; maintains work areas;

May train other forensic scientists in the proper performance of professional scientific analyses;

May serve as a project leader by providing guidance and planning and reviewing work products.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor's degree with significant coursework (twenty-one (21) semester or thirty-two (32) quarter hours) in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field AND three (3) years of forensic laboratory or digital forensic analysis experience.


Substitution(s): A master’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience. A doctorate degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, computer science, computer forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.


Specific knowledge, skills, or abilities related to the specialization(s) for which appointment is being made may be required for some positions and will be incorporated in the job postings, as appropriate.

Test/Job Contact Information

Recruitment #: 24-1912-V1
Employment Type: Full-Time (Regular)


Should you have questions regarding this vacancy, please contact:


Heather Voege
Department of Public Safety
Division of Police
120 Marconi Blvd/ Room 716
Columbus, Ohio 43215
P: (614) 645-4964
E: hsvoege@columbuspolice.org

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Tags

Full time, Local area,

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