Criminalist II; Molecular Genetics

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility, or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

• Commitment:
  Dedicated to the mission at all times.
• Accountability:
  Responsible to each other and the community.
• Resilience:
  Adapt in the face of adversity.
• Excellence:
  Achieve and maintain the highest quality.
• Service:
  Innovate to meet evolving needs.

The OCME Molecular Genetics Laboratory is the first and only laboratory based in a medical examiner’s office nationwide that helps medical examiners investigate sudden unexpected natural deaths in apparently healthy individuals. The laboratory provides postmortem molecular diagnostic testing to identify and interpret gene changes that may explain sudden deaths, and to alert surviving family members so that loved ones at high risk for inherited disease can be tested and treated.

Under the general direction of the Director of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, the selected candidate will be responsible for assisting in conducting scientific analyses and quality control tasks performed on biological specimens brought to the Laboratory of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York. The most eligible candidate will possess the technical skills listed and also the potential to exemplify this agency’s core values of “Commitment, Accountability, Resilience, Excellence, and Service”.

Typical tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Participates in casework rotation and performs sample accession and processing and case sign‑in and intake database reviews; performs sample cutting and extraction, DNA quantitation and DNA sample preparation; performs Sanger and next‑generation sequencing procedures and data analysis; performs administrative review of case reports.
• Participates in quality control rotation and performs instrument maintenance and performance check; conducts laboratory cleaning and reagents/supplies inventory and preparation. Participates in validation rotation and conducts validation projects and provides validation plan and summary.
• Participates in the training and competency assessment program; other duties as assigned.

Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.

This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24‑hour availability.

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

*** Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position. FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.***

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
• For Assignment to Assignment Level I
  - B.

In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements For All Assignment Levels" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level I‑B individuals must have at least one year of satisfactory full‑time experience in criminalistics, forensic science or analytic chemistry, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.

• To be assigned to Assignment Level II, individuals must have one of the following:
  • One year of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I‑B.
  • One additional year of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of two years of such experience.
  • A satisfactory…