This position is located at the State Crime Laboratory in Raleigh, N.C.

State Crime Laboratory - Helping Solve Crimes

The State Crime Laboratory of the Department of Justice maintains a full service forensic science laboratory to assist all law enforcement agencies in North Carolina in the investigation of criminal matters. The Laboratory’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art forensic services in the areas of drug analysis, blood alcohol/drug content, firearms, latent prints, footwear and tire tracks, forensic biology, computer forensics, and trace evidence. The services are provided from a central laboratory in Raleigh, N.C. and regional laboratories located in Edneyville, N.C. and Greensboro, N.C. This position is located in Raleigh N.C.

Learn more about the lab here: https://ncdoj.gov/crime-lab/

The primary purpose of the DNA Database Section, pursuant to Article 13 of Chapter 15A of the NC State General Statutes, is to receive and analyze both blood and cheek cell samples from arrestees and convicted felons to produce a DNA profile to be maintained in a State and National DNA Database. These databases will be used to assist federal, state, and local criminal justice and law enforcement agencies in the identification, detection, and exclusion of individuals who are subjects of criminal investigations.

Meet a DNA Database Scientist

The primary purposes of this position include:

• Analyzing convicted offender and arrestee DNA samples for upload to CODIS.
• Expungement of arrestee samples upon request from District Attorney’s Offices
• CODIS Hit Confirmations
• Maintaining sample inventory forms from Department of Public Safety/Adult Corrections submissions.
• Verification of offense eligibility for database samples.
• Receipt and analysis of blood and cheek cell samples from arrestees and convicted felons.
• Testifying to the laboratory results in court.
• Use of the CODIS system.
• Communication with public officials.

Quality Control Offer

This position is responsible for the Quality Assurance/Control functions of the DNA Database Section and to ensure that all National Standards set for Quality Assurance by the FBI Director (through the DNA advisory board) are met.

Quality Assurance Auditor

This position is responsible for completing the FBI’s QAS Auditor training. The trained auditor will assist the Technical Leader to ensure compliance with QAS standards and conduct QAS audits as needed.

Selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: credit and arrest checks; interviews with associates, personal and business references, past employers and neighbors; verification of education achievement, and urinalysis drug screening and polygraph.

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  In accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 126-1.1( c), effective July 11, 2016, employees who are hired by a State agency, department or university in a sworn law enforcement position or forensic scientist position and who are required to complete a formal training program prior to assuming law enforcement or forensic scientist duties with the hiring agency, department or university shall become career State employees only after being employed by the agency, department or university for 24 continuous months .
• Employees who transfer into forensic scientist positions from other positions within N.C. State government and are currently Career State employees will be required to complete a probationary period of 24 additional months.
• In accordance with Section 17.5 of Senate Bill 402, The Department of Justice shall not hire sworn personnel to fill vacant positions in the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the termination of sworn personnel, but as vacant positions in the State Laboratory are filled, they shall be filled only with non sworn personnel. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect North Carolina State Crime Laboratory personnel who are sworn and employed by the Laboratory as of the effective date of this section and who continue to meet the sworn status retention standards mandated by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission.
  
  The State of North Carolina offers employer paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits.

Working at the State Crime Lab includes:
Easy access to downtown Raleigh, local shopping centers, healthcare providers and highways (70, 40 and 440)
Beautiful grounds with jogging/walking trails
Free parking
Patio dining
Food trucks
Fitness center on site
100% Paid parent leave compensation up to 8 weeks for eligible employees
Annual Flu Shot Clinic
Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
Including on site nutritional visits, wellness activities, therapy dog

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

1. Employees must have a working knowledge of the principles, concepts, theories, reference sources, and laboratory practices involved with the testing of database samples.
2. Employees must have a working knowledge of criminal law and of the rules and regulations regarding the DNA Database.
3. Employees must have a working knowledge of scientific methodology and of laboratory safety practices.
4. Ability to perform and record complex standardized and non-standardized laboratory tests and procedures.
5. Ability to analyze results, interpret methodology, and to understand and solve theoretical problems.
6. Ability to express technical information clearly both orally and in writing when reporting results, testifying, or explaining procedures to others.
7. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
8. Ability to perceive colors normally and make olfactory distinctions.
9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a major in biology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, animal science, zoology, medical technology, forensic science with biology/DNA concentration, or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution including coursework in biochemistry, genetic, molecular biology, statistics and population genetics and four years of experience performing bench level analysis in forensic biology; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirement: Must obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within eighteen months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity.

Management preference - 6 years of related experience.