Forensic Scientist - Biology

4/25/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

The purpose and mission of the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is to serve the Marion County Community and supports the needs of the Criminal Justice System by providing services in Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Document Examinations, Latent Print Processing and Examination, Blood Alcohol Analysis, Fire Debris Analysis, Seized Drugs Analysis, Firearms Examinations and NIBIN, DNA and Serology Analysis and Forensic Evidence Technician (Morgue Liaison) services. The agency cultivates a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Position is responsible for providing scientific analysis of criminal evidence to include expert court testimony; assists in developing and implementing scientific programs and training requirements; confers with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate work activities. Compiles statistical data and ensures that total work product meets all appropriate scientific and legal requirements. Acts as Forensic Scientist Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor, when needed. The Forensic Scientist is guided in judgment by Laboratory Policy and Standard Operating Procedures and all tenets of applicable law. Must have the ability to make detailed notes describing evidence received; processes used; and triaging requests for forensic analysis. Overall laboratory operation and safety procedures, proper reporting of accidents, and the ability to learn new skills to accommodate changes in techniques. The Forensic Scientist will be held to the highest standard by upper management for independent judgments rendered when faced with a situation where a decision is needed, and there are no clearcut standard operating procedures or laws. Position reports to the Forensic Scientist Supervisor.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

• Recommends modification of current practices and requirements for operation of the section
• Ensures that appropriate quality assurance and quality control methodologies are employed throughout their section of the laboratory
• Prepares formal technical written reports on the results of examinations, statistical analysis, and research projects
• Serves as an expert and is responsible for providing technical consultation, advice to scientific personnel, conducting tours, briefs, training and provides expert testimony in court
• Participates in improvement measures for laboratory analysis with the Supervisor to develop technical guidance for analyses within the laboratory section, to include quality assurance and quality control; implements newly developed forensic technologies, testing methodologies, programs, procedures, databases; etc.
• Conducts training for local agencies to include basic evidence technical courses and specialized forensic applications courses
• Acts as Forensic Scientist Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor when required in their absence
• Evaluates and reviews statistical data to ensure compliance with appropriate scientific, legal and government regulations
• Demonstrates proficiency in the techniques, instrumentation, and technology taught via various examinations in specialty areas and provides input to Forensic Scientist Supervisor for the section’s operational and training planning process
• Attend seminars, meetings, and conferences to incorporate new developments into laboratory case work
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time
• Serves as liaison between Director, IMCFSA and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and personnel IMPD, MCSO, MCPO, MCCO, FBI, ATF, DEA, courts, etc. to ensure that scientific and administrative support is provided
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times
• Responsible for performing a wide variety of fully skilled professional scientific analysis on criminal evidence to include the examination, comparison, evaluation and result determination on physical evidence, upon completion of specific forensic training ranging from minimum of 6-months and maximum of 48-months
• Presents results of laboratory research at conferences and/or publish the results in scientific journals

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses. Discipline-specific course requirements may apply, as defined by the laboratory. Must complete specific forensic training in a minimum 6-months and maximum of 48-months. Incumbent shall maintain proficiency through annual proficiency testing. Incumbent must be willing and capable of completing additional internal/external training determined by the Forensic Scientist Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Program, and capable of completing specialized training, as required or available, from Federal, State, Local agencies and other organizations. Must have knowledge of the criminal justice system and familiarity with the sensitive and confidential nature of evidence managing and examination. Must be able to establish and set priorities according to time sensitive information in order to have continued success in this position. Must be able to communicate effectively in oral, verbal, and written formats.

Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications

Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses, including minimum qualification listed.

All rates are bi-weekly.

2023 Rate Sheet - To view our rate sheet, please copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://media.graphassets.com/fXBSN1Q7SQu0d2T9mmrA

Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month):

Basic: Employer Paid

Optional Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month)

Additional:

<25-29 $0.053

30-34 $0.075

35-39 $0.090

40-44 $0.120

45-49 $0.203

50-54 $0.330

55-59 $0.545

60-64 $0.723

65-69 $1.208

70 + $1.867

IMPORTANT PERF UPDATE:

• For more information on eligibility options, refer to Proposal 21-288 https://bit.ly/3exq8yR

1. All employees hired/rehired after 1/1/2022 have a choice to select the PERF Hybrid plan (3% + Pension) or the INPRS My Choice: Retirement Savings plan (3% + 1% Contribution). The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the member's age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

2. Employees hired/rehired by the City and County between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2021 will be automatically enrolled in the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan. This plan is an annuity savings account (ASA) only plan and does not have a pension component. Any service that an employee has in the My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan will not count toward the service time requirements for pension eligibility in the Hybrid Plan.

With the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan, the ASA is split up into two parts:

Part one - This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Part two - This consists of an additional variable rate contribution paid by the City toward your ASA. This variable rate contribution is currently 1% of your gross wages. Vesting in the value of the variable rate employer contribution will vary by length of participation. You are:

• 60 percent vested after 3 full years of participation
• 40 percent vested after 2 full years of participation
• 20 percent vested after 1 full year of participation
• 100 percent vested after 5 full years of participation
• 80 percent vested after 4 full years of participation

3. All employees hired/rehired prior to 1/1/2017 are grandfathered into PERF Hybrid plan. The Hybrid plan consists of two components:

Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. You're always vested in your ASA portion - it's always yours.

Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employee's career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the member's age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.

4. City Employees hired/rehired between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/21 that are members of the City AFSCME labor union can choose to enroll in either the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan or the PERF Hybrid plan. Both plans are described above. Employees have 60 days to choose which option they want, and by state law this cannot be changed. If no choice is made, the employee will then be automatically added to the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings plan.

The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a provision that allows public employees to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory three percent (3%) contributions. Employees may contribute up to an additional ten- percent (10%) of their compensation per pay period to the annuity savings account. This means that the maximum level of contributions to the annuity savings account under this new provision is thirteen percent (13%) of an employee's compensation per pay period.

Employees who separate from the city within their first ten (10) years of employment need to contact INPRS - PERF regarding their ASA account.

Questions relating to PERF may be directed to INPRS - PERF at:

Indiana Public Retirement System

Public Employees' Retirement Fund

One North Capitol, Suite 001

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

(888) 236-3544