Forensic Scientist III; DNA

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity, and providing vital support to the state of Arizona and its citizens. Visit our website ps.gov

Salary: $93,292.78 Annually

To apply, you must go to the DPS website.  and follow the instructions to submit your online application.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as a Forensic Scientist specializing in the DNA discipline. Utilizes chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques and instrumentation to examine, identify and evaluate physical evidence which may include: controlled dangerous substances; blood, urine, and other biological specimens; firearms; questioned documents; latent prints; trace evidence; and other items of evidentiary value.

Prepares technical reports; provides expert testimony in court; provides technical advice and guidance to and trains other forensic scientists; recommends revisions to analytical methodology and purchase of scientific equipment; serves as an experienced casework analyst working complex cases within the discipline and performs related tasks as required. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eighteen-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies in the Phoenix area.

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with either a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in chemistry or a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry with completed coursework in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry; a minimum of seven (7) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory;

demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline; and court or professional presentation experience applicable to forensics. Additional forensic scientist experience, beyond the required seven (7) years, may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours). Up to three (3) years of the required experience may be substituted with professional experience obtained in a clinical or research laboratory, provided the experience involved analytical or technical laboratory work applicable to forensic laboratory testing and reporting.

Progression to the next classification in the Forensic Scientist series requires an overall performance rating of at least "Standard" in the last 12 months.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

Applicants must complete an examination process. A polygraph and background investigation are required for successful applicants. DPS supports a drug-free work environment through pre-employment drug testing.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply Driver’s License Requirements. All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to benefit-eligible employees in cooperation with the State of Arizona.

• Accrued vacation pay and sick days
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Top-ranked retirement plans
• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance plans
• Employee Assistance, Peer and Family Support Programs
• Bus Cards (Subsidized partially by the State)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year of paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement…