Forensic Scientist II; Firearms

Arizona Department of Public Safety - Forensic Scientist II (Firearms)

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as a Forensic Scientist II specializing in the Firearms discipline.

This role utilizes chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques and instrumentation to examine, identify, and evaluate physical evidence which may include controlled dangerous substances; blood, urine, and other biological specimens; firearms; questioned documents; latent prints; trace evidence; and other items of evidentiary value.

The candidate will prepare technical reports, provide expert testimony in court, provide technical advice and guidance to and train other forensic scientists, recommend revisions to analytical methodology and purchase of scientific equipment, serve as an experienced casework analyst for complex cases within the discipline, and perform related tasks as required. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist. This may be a competitive or a progressive classification.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eighteen-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies in the Phoenix area. Recruitment may close without notice.

Must successfully complete the examination process.  for details regarding the exam process.

Written Examination PASS/FAIL

Qualifications Appraisal Board (QAB) 100%

NOTE:

Transcript copies (official or unofficial) are required with your application.

If you have a disability which may require an accommodation, please notify human resources in writing prior to the test date.

• Examine, identify, and evaluate suspected evidence including blood, semen, hair, fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, questioned documents, fire accelerants, soils, firearms, latent prints, drugs, poisons, alcoholic beverages, etc. Utilizes physical, chemical, microscopic, photographic, comparative, classification, computer, molecular biology, chromatographic and visualization techniques and instrumentation which may include gas chromatography, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, infrared spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray, variable wavelength forensic light sources, spectrofluorimetry, and immunoassay.
• Prepares technical written reports to document scientific analyses and results.
• Attends pre-trial conferences, prepares exhibits for courtroom use, and provides expert testimony in courts throughout the state.
• Discusses laboratory test results and evidence collection with officers and attorneys.
• Remains current on scientific advancements in the forensic field through technical publications, presentations and training in order to apply appropriate methodologies.
• Responds to crime scene incidents to gather, preserve and move items of evidence to crime lab for further analysis.
• Researches problems associated with routine methods of analyses.
• Provides general scientific information in response to questions from Department staff, other agencies and the public.
• Provides technical advice and guidance to other forensic scientists with difficult analyses.
• Trains new forensic scientists in laboratory methodology and in skills required to attain courtroom qualification.

• Principles and analytical procedures of chemistry, biology (including molecular biology), toxicology, criminalistics, fingerprints, questioned documents, or related sciences.
• Basic uses and effects of controlled substances.
• Hazards and toxicity of chemicals.
• Statutes and case law applicable to assigned forensic discipline and use of physical evidence in court.
• Rules of criminal procedure concerning time limits, discovery, evidence and expert witnesses.
• Crime scene procedures.
• Techniques for processing items of evidence at crime scenes.
• Mathematics related to analyzing scientific data.
• Coaching and training techniques to provide technical advice, guidance and training.

• Operating laboratory instruments, equipment and computer systems related to areas of responsibility.

• Define problems, establish facts, interpret information and…