FORENSIC SCIENTIST IV8139C3 Pay Grade: DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is specialized administrative and professional work in managing a statewide forensic laboratory program. Work involves directing, planning and organizing major laboratory forensic scientific investigations, applied research efforts, or analytical operations and includes professional leadership to solve complicated technical issues. Work also involves responsibility for directing laboratory programs which require the highest level of technical knowledge and professional experience. Work involves directing the investigation, modification and development of laboratory analytical systems and procedures. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL E: "Under administrative direction…" At this level, employees are free to plan, develop and organize all phases of the work necessary for its completion within program guidance. Generally, they can develop and utilize any procedures and methods which do not conflict with major policies. Supervision is generally exercised over them through staff conference-type discussions and a review of progress reports. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level exercise a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. Work may be reviewed by occasional conferences or reports to superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As a "first line supervisor", the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Forensic Scientist III class where the incumbents have responsibility for supervising a specialized unit of a laboratory section; or for performing complex and specialized scientific forensic laboratory tests and applied research. Differs from the Forensic Laboratory Director class in which the incumbents perform managerial work in directing the operation of all state-wide forensic laboratory programs. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Provides professional supervision and direction of complex forensic science laboratory programs. Solves advanced analytical problems, develops operation protocols and monitors the use of personnel, including staffing, facilities, equipment and materials. Coordinates and evaluates specialized laboratory operations. Develops budget projections, analyzes the need for laboratory improvements and recommends modifications in capability or approach in keeping with state-of-the-art technology. Develops agency purchasing specifications. Develops, implements and/or monitors laboratory safety programs to ensure staff protection and prevent laboratory accidents. Provides consultation to public and private professionals, other agency staff, hospitals, physicians, other state agencies and all law enforcement agencies regarding complex sampling procedures and the interpretation of laboratory results. Designs and directs an extensive quality assurance program to ensure the production of technically and legally defensible data. Directs the training of lower-level forensic scientists in specialized forensic laboratory techniques, policies and procedures; reads, approves and correlates all laboratory reports in the department in order to ensure proper submission to law enforcement officers and courts. Attends seminars and training sessions in order to learn and/or lecture about new developments and in the field of forensic science. Conducts forensic examinations in unusual, sensitive, and controversial cases; verifies results obtained by lower-level forensic scientists and assists in interpreting difficult tests in order to facilitate laboratory operations; and over sees crime scene investigative work. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the practices and procedures pertaining to collecting, preserving and analyzing a specific category of physical crime evidence, such as firearms, blood, documents, latent fingerprints, and trace elements. *Knowledge of scientific principles, theories and laboratory practices of the forensic examination of evidence. *Knowledge of current laboratory methods, instrumentation, and procedures for the detection and identification of evidence in criminal investigations. *Knowledge of journals, textbooks, and other information resources and their application to a specific analysis. *Knowledge of the proper collection procedures and documentation methods to be used at a crime scene. *Knowledge of the methods used to illustrate information for use in reports and to support testimony in criminal investigations. *Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Abilities *Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with laboratory staff, agency program staff and with the public. *Ability to supervise. *Ability to analyze scientific data, draw logical conclusions, and complete comprehensive technical reports. *Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. *Ability to maintain composure while under cross-examination in a court of law regarding scientific results and professional qualifications. *Ability to plan, coordinate, and control the activities of a large staff of a major forensic laboratory program. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor's degree relevant to the field of work and three years relevant work experience. Experience may be substituted for education as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/93 |