Chemist Ii

The Forensic Chemist II is a technical position with direct responsibility for the day-to-day batch review and volatiles certification of routine and non-routine assays required by a post-mortem, forensic toxicology laboratory. This position supports the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the State Medical Examiner System through the discovery of primary and secondary causes of unattended, unwitnessed, accidental, suicidal or homicidal deaths. The Forensic Chemist II will focus on isolation of drugs, including novel substances, from biological specimens and pertinent evidence using highly sophisticated analytical instrumentation and review of the resulting data. The testing performed is highly complex and involves postmortem biological specimens. Results of the work are combined with preliminary autopsy findings to render final conclusions as to the cause and manner of death. Decisions may directly affect the safety and health of the public where dangerous and/or toxic substances are identified as a cause of death. In addition, the Forensic Chemist II is responsible for the technical review and interpretation of analytical data including volatiles analysis and color tests as it relates to the particular decedent. The Forensic Chemist II will be assisting with senior staff concerns, such as laboratory accreditation, QA/QC, and best practices.
About the Division of Public Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner:
The NC Division of Public Health (DPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina - Everywhere, Everyday, Everybody.
Please see our website: https://www.ocme.dhhs.nc.gov/
Campus Amenities and Benefits at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner:

• 220,000 square feet campus built in 2012 Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to shopping centers, the state art museum, healthcare providers, and highways (70, 40 and 440)
• Break Rooms with Vending Machines, Ice Machines, Coffee Makers, Magazines, and Commercial Grade Microwave Ovens Patio Dining with Umbrellas
• Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly Wellness Activities
• Fitness Center with Exercise Equipment and Class
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families Monthly and Quarterly Workshop Sessions
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Knowledge of the principles, practice, and current developments in the field of analytical toxicology.
• Knowledge of laboratory protocol, procedure, and techniques associated with medico-legal investigative work and biological specimens.
• Knowledge of the operation of highly sophisticated analytical instrumentation, including mass spectrometry techniques or others (GC/MS, LC-MS/MS, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience with successful sample preparation techniques for biological matrices such as protein precipitation, LLE, or SPE.
• Demonstrated experienced in independently performing and recording complex standardized laboratory tests and procedures and data analysis.
• Ability to express technical information clearly, both orally and in writing, when reporting results or explaining thoughts and ideas to others.

Management Preferences:

• Previous analytical laboratory experience, including experience with Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) instrumentation, is preferred with preference given to those candidates who have worked with a wide variety of analytical instrumentation.
• Experience in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Physical Requirements:
The Chemist II will work in a laboratory and office environment of a moderately physical nature. The work requires long hours in a standing position. There is some occasional lifting, carrying of equipment, and repetitive motion.Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Bachelor's degree in chemistry from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of progressive chemistry laboratory experience;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience.Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time