Lead Forensic Scientist

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Job Description - LEAD FORENSIC SCIENTIST (419408)

Job Description

LEAD FORENSIC SCIENTIST

Description

JOB/BID ANNOUNCEMENT

LEAD FORENSIC SCIENTIST-LATENT FINGERPRINTS

CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bureau of Detectives/ Forensic Services Division/Latent Print Examination Section

Number of Positions: 2 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”

2. Enter your employee  (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under general supervision, 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

• Oversees the receipt, collection, and preservation of physical evidence submitted to the Forensic laboratory associated with criminal investigations
• Distributes and monitors staff work assignments for completeness and accuracy
• Writes and drafts discipline specific policies, procedures, and methods
• Performs independent casework and evaluations in a primary forensic discipline
• Performs complex evaluations and testing by applying scientific principles to identify and classify items received in the laboratory (e.g., hair, skin, tissues, blood, bones, bullets, shells, weapons, etc.)
• Conducts and oversees the chemical analyses of evidentiary materials (e.g., blood, fibers, tool marks, body fluids, etc.)
• Analyzes chemical and physical substances, materials, liquids, or other physical evidence and prepares chemical reagents within assigned forensic discipline
• Identifies and reaches scientific conclusions supported by data and observations
• Oversees and prepares reports or presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions and prepares results for court or other formal hearings
• Maintains compliance with accreditation standards, laboratory and departmental protocol and procedures
• Prepares reports for inclusion in grant applications
• Trains Forensic Scientists in a specialized forensic discipline including procedures, practices, and methods (e.g., develops and administers competency and proficiency tests, evaluates work performance; and develops individualized training programs, identifies corrective and preventive action plans)
• Evaluates and recommends new equipment and laboratory processes
• Testifies as an expert witness in court on evidence and crime laboratory techniques at the local, state and federal levels
• Performs audits of evidence storage and chain of custody for evidence in the laboratory and of chemicals, equipment, and laboratory supplies
• Generates statistical, activity, and performance reports and metrics
• Evaluates, identifies, recommends and orders new equipment and laboratory supplies
• Stays abreast of advancements in the field (e.g., attending…