Forensic DNA Analyst

Job Descriptionthe

salary range for this position is $76, 796.80 - $95,996.00 annually.

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 19th, 2024. Initial review of submitted applications will commence on Monday, April 22nd, 2024. However, it is subject to close at any time without prior notice once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

The Unified Forensic Forensic Laboratory, located in Englewood , Colorado, is an ISO/IEB 170025:2017 accredited regional laboratory serving the citizens of Araphoe County, Douglas County, and the City of Aurora. As a "Gateway to the Rockies", the area is a bustling metropolitan area surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. Colorado offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities with friendly locals and plenty of room. With anything you could want in a state, Colorado offers vast amenities such as golf courses, museums, sporting events, hiking and biking trails, winter sports, making it a great place to live. Located just south Denver at 8555 Double Helix Ct. Englewood, CO 80112. The UFL is a mid-sized laboratory serving Colorado’s 18th Judicial District serving a population of over one million citizens. Individuals serving in this position are employed by the Aurora Police Department, but report to the UFL for their daily operations.Using state-of-art equipment including hands-free robotic DNA processing systems; this DNA expansion position operates independently under limited supervision. Assigned to the Forensic Biology Unit of the Unified Forensic Laboratory (UFL), this position performs technical criminalistics work in both serology and DNA analysis for the Aurora Police Department and associated agencies of the UFL. The work involves performing various forensic biology and DNA testing on evidence under ISO/IEC 17025 and the FBI DNA Quality Assurance Standards developing facts pertinent to criminal investigations.

Duties include analysis of biological material on evidence items, collecting samples for DNA processing, generating DNA results, authorizing written technical reports of all examinations, court preparation, and providing expert witness testimony in court proceedings.

Come join the UFL as we continue to expand our team and fill our Forensic DNA Analyst position!Under limited administrative direction, this position performs technical DNA work for the Aurora Police Department and associated agencies in the Unified Forensic Laboratory (UFL). The work involves performing various tests and analyses on evidence in order to develop facts pertinent to criminal investigations including the analysis of biological material from submitted evidence items; generating written technical reports of all examinations or analyses performed, court preparation and giving expert testimony in court proceedings

The Following Duty Statements Are Illustrative Of The

essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal

duties that may be required:Responsible for the recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of physical evidence pertinent to the investigation of a criminal actExamines evidence items to discover, preserve, collect, photograph, and identify samples for analysis.Performs presumptive testing, confirmatory testing and DNA analysis on evidence itemsCollects trace evidenceInterprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of lawPrepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedingsPrepares, processes and maintains a variety of written reports and records pertaining to lab processes and activitiesDocuments, handles, packages, and receives evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with established forensic practices under state and federal lawsAppears in court as an expert witness as requiredInstructs others in forensics, DNA evidence collection, and provides training seminars, to include outside law enforcement agencies under mutual aid requestsMay be assigned to train new employees and or act as a trainer to coworkers in specific specialty areas.Operates computers and standard office equipment including commonly used computer software programs required by the positionMaintains regular and acceptable attendanceMay perform

duties both in the office and in the fieldInteracts effectively with othersPerforms other

duties as assigned

Minimum

Qualifications & Working Conditions

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a closely related field

Experience: Two years of

experience in performing laboratory

duties associated with the processing of biological and DNA evidence in a law enforcement agency

Preferred

Experience: Master’s Degree in Forensic Science, Natural Science, Criminalistics, or a closely related fieldThree to five years of

experience performing DNA Analyses in a law enforcement agency

An Equivalent Combination Of

education,

experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge,

skills, abilities to perform the

duties of this position will be considered.

Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of modern forensic laboratory equipment and proceduresExtensive knowledge of the work flow of a forensic crime labConsiderable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidenceMust meet the

education

requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing LaboratoriesKnowledge of DNA QAS documents and ISO 17025:2017 standardsKnowledge and use of the CODIS database systemsKnowledge of forensic DNA statistical calculationsKnowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs

Abilities: Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by positionAbility to give professional expert testimony in courts of lawAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnelAbility to communicate effectively in verbal and written English, to include public speakingAbility to apply sound reasoning and decision-makingAbility to interact in a professional manner with all staffAbility to get along well with others

Skills: Strong analytical and communication

skills

Skills in the use of standard office equipment as well as commonly used software programs utilized the in the Crime Lab

Licenses, Certificates, and/or Equipment Required: Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.

WORKING CONDITIONS:Physical Demands:The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing or walking while in the field or officeMust possess sufficient strength to lift and carry equipment and/or evidence up to 50 lbs. with or without assistanceFrequently pushes, pulls, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, reaches, handles and feels while in the field and officeConstantly uses oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the two way radio, intercom system and telephoneConstantly uses visual and fine/gross motor

skills enabling the use of office and field equipment. Occasionally uses visual and fine/gross motor

skills enabling the safe operation of a vehicle during normal, and hazardous weather situationsFrequently uses visual capacity including color vision in order to distinguish color/descriptions of evidence itemsFrequently uses olfactory sensory capabilities to detect hazardous situations

Work Environment:Work environment includes primarily indoor

locations, but may also include outdoor

locations. Exposure to inclement weather and the elements may exist during crime scene examinations and analyses. Other hazards may include exposure to harmful chemicals, carcinogenic substances and fumes, although safeguards are provided. This position is subject to call for assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays as deemed necessary*This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to “bio-hazards” associated with blood-borne pathogens; HIV (aids), HBV (hepatitis B), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a “bio-hazard” may result in severe illness or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent or treat exposures to “bio-hazards”.

Equipment Used: Use of standard office equipment that includes a computer systemUse of required laboratory equipment