Chemistry Technician Ii, Trace Evidence (60010678)

Description of Work

**Not sure you meet all listed requirements? Let our team take a look. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply. **

State Crime Laboratory - Helping Solve Crimes

The State Crime Laboratory of the Department of Justice maintains a full service forensic science laboratory to assist all law enforcement agencies in North Carolina in the investigation of criminal matters. The Laboratory’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art forensic services in the areas of drug analysis, blood alcohol/drug content, firearms, latent prints, footwear and tire tracks, forensic biology, computer forensics, and trace evidence. The services are provided from a central laboratory in Raleigh, N.C. and regional laboratories located in Edneyville, N.C. and Greensboro, N.C.

Read more about the lab here:
https://ncdoj.gov/crime-lab/

The primary purpose of the Trace Evidence Section is to provide the North Carolina Criminal Justice System with trained and experienced forensic scientists who analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations. The forensic services provided include laboratory analysis, expert witness testimony and training on evidence collection/handling in the areas of hair, fiber, paint, tape, glass, fire debris, bulb filaments, gunshot residue, and physical fit analysis.

Primary Purpose of the Position
This position provides technical support for a wide variety of disciplines within the Trace Evidence Section. Responsibilities include performing instrument calibrations and quality control checks, troubleshooting instrument problems, preparing chemicals and reference standards, managing the Section’s evidence vault, and performing monthly safety inspections.

LABORATORY TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The Employee in this position will be the technical support for the daily operations of the Trace Evidence Section.

Employee will maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation by performing repairs, monthly calibration checks, and keeping logs for each instrument. Some of these instruments require the employee to manipulate small specimen sizes. The employee will also be responsible for maintaining detailed and accurate records of all calibrations, performance checks, maintenance and repairs.

Employee will prepare chemical reagents, instrumental reference standard solutions, and quality control test samples and maintain detailed logs referencing these. Employee will also maintain chemical and biological hazardous waste storage areas.

Employee will perform monthly safety inspections.

The laboratory is a participant in the Paint Data Query (PDQ) international database. Employee will be responsible for acquiring, analyzing, and submitting the required number of paint samples annually.

EVIDENCE PROCESSING AND STORAGE
Employee properly stores and handles evidence to ensure the integrity of the chain of custody.

Employee will store evidence in the correct storage location and conduct periodic inventory of evidence within the Evidence Vault of the Trace Evidence Section. The employee will ensure that all case records are present and that the evidence is properly identified and sealed.

COURT ROOM TESTIMONY AND COMMUNICATION
Employee conducts consultations and participates in pretrial conferences with prosecutors and defense attorneys and testifies in both state and federal court in a professional, unbiased manner while conveying a clear knowledge of the subject matter and specific details of the case.

Employee communicates with the criminal justice community, management and other administrative personnel.

• Out of state applicants: This may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense after the initial interview, in order to undergo the background investigation process.
• Selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: credit and arrest checks; interviews with associates, personal and business references, past employers and neighbors; verification of education achievement, and urinalysis drug screening and polygraph.
• Transcripts are required at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency to be provided at the time of application.**

This position requires travel to testify in court.

The salary grade for this position is NC07. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. Please detail ALL work history including non-state service experience. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY or MAY NOT result.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR A NEW HIRE TO THESE POSITIONS IS LIMITED TO THE RECRUITMENT RANGE OF $40.474 to $46,865. Salary offers are based upon the candidate's education and experience related to the positions, as well as departmental budget and equity considerations.

The North Carolina Department of Justice, led by the Attorney General of North Carolina, represents the State of North Carolina in court and provides legal advice and representation to most state government departments, agencies, officers, and commissions. The Department also represents the State in criminal appeals from state trial courts, and brings legal actions on behalf of the state and its citizens when the public interest is at stake.

Working at the State Crime Lab includes:
Easy access to downtown Raleigh, local shopping centers, healthcare providers and highways (70, 40 and 440)
Beautiful grounds with jogging/walking trails
Free parking
Patio dining
Food trucks
100% Paid parent leave compensation up to 8 weeks for eligible employees
Annual Flu Shot Clinic
Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
Including on site nutritional visits, wellness activities, therapy dog

The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

1. A working knowledge of the principles, concepts, theories, reference materials, and laboratory applications of chemistry and other related sciences.
2. A working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis procedures, including the
instrumentation used. Working knowledge of chemical laboratory safety procedures.
Ability to independently perform and record standardized laboratory procedures.
3. The ability to express technical information clearly, both orally and in writing, when reporting results of analysis, testifying as an expert witness in criminal courts, or explaining procedures to others.
4. The ability to perform mathematics and statistical analysis, to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
5. A working knowledge of the criminal laws of North Carolina.
6. A working knowledge of the policies and procedures of the State of North Carolina,
Department of Justice, State Crime Laboratory, and the Trace Evidence Section.
7. The ability to establish and maintain favorable working relationships with law enforcement agencies and the Criminal Justice System.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution;

or Associate's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related chemistry laboratory experience;

or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The NC Department of Justice accomplishes our goals through our DOJ Organizational Values of Public Service, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, and Innovation. We encourage all qualified candidates who are committed to these values and want to make a difference in the lives of our citizens to apply for this opportunity.

Please be sure to complete the application in full.

Note the following: If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date

Resumes and cover letters: To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. This information is used to determine if you meet the requirements of the position, and if you are selected, it is used to determine a salary offer.

Using the terms "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will not be accepted and your application will be rejected as incomplete. Cover letters are highly encouraged but not required.

Transcripts: Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. A copy of your transcripts indicating the degree received can be uploaded with your application.

If a transcript has been requested, your application will be considered incomplete if you do not provide one. Using a photograph of your diploma is not acceptable.

Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application. Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.

Any licenses or certificates must be included in the appropriate section of the application form.

Veterans Preference: Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 or discharge orders.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if you are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If you are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, you must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

Application status: To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks. All applicants will be notified by email once a position is filled.

NeoGov Help Line: If you are having technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the NC DOJ Human Resources office.

The NC Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The NC Department of Justice uses Merit-Based Recruitment to select from among the most qualified applicants to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
NC Department of Justice
Human Resources Office
Lisa Sasser, Recruitment Specialist
114 W. Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-716-6490