Lead Forensic Scientist

Lead Forensic Scientist

Job Number: 419408

This is the technical specialist, lead classification in the series. Positions in this class title will be assigned to a specialized unit(s) within the Chicago Police Department's Forensic Laboratory (e.g., latent print development/examination, evidence examination, firearms and ballistics, or other related forensic disciplines). This class title supervises and participates in scientific examinations of the nature, origin, and significance of physical evidence in crime investigations;

and performs related duties as required.

Essential duties include overseeing the receipt, collection, and preservation of physical evidence submitted to the Forensic laboratory associated with criminal investigations; distributing and monitoring staff work assignments for completeness and accuracy; writing and drafting discipline specific policies, procedures, and methods; performing independent casework and evaluations in a primary forensic discipline; performing complex evaluations and testing by applying scientific principles to identify and classify items received in the laboratory;

conducting and overseeing the chemical analyses of evidentiary materials; analyzing chemical and physical substances, materials, liquids, or other physical evidence and preparing chemical reagents within assigned forensic discipline; identifying and reaching scientific conclusions supported by data and observations; overseeing and preparing reports or presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions and preparing results for court of other formal hearings;

maintaining compliance with accreditation standards, laboratory and departmental protocol and procedures; preparing reports for inclusion in grant applications; training Forensic Scientists in a specialized forensic discipline including procedures, practices, and methods; evaluating and recommending new equipment and laboratory processes; testifying as an expert witness in court on evidence and crime laboratory techniques at the local, state and federal levels; performing audits of evidence storage and chain of custody for evidence in the laboratory and of chemicals, equipment, and laboratory supplies;

generating statistical, activity, and performance reports and metrics; evaluating, identifying, recommending and ordering new equipment and laboratory supplies; staying abreast of advancements in the field; overseeing and participating in the maintenance of the laboratory instruments; developing research studies, design and conduct validation studies and participating in research and outreach, as assigned; assisting in grant writing for needs specific to a specialized forensic unit.

Location:

3340 W Filmore, Chicago, Il 60624 Days:
Monday through Friday

Hours:

6:00AM to 2:00PM OR 2:00PM-10:00PM

Minimum qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field of science, plus four (4) years of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science, OR Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field, plus three (3) years of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science.

Selection requirements:
This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview will be selected.