AddressResponsibilities
About the Position: The Forensic Scientist 4 is responsible for ensuring that all applicable quality assurance measures are employed on both an individual and laboratory level.
The Forensic Scientist 4 is crucial to maintaining the quality of forensic casework through direct involvement in training, ensuring that quality measures are employed on the front line, and providing technical expertise to all members of the Division so that competent casework can be completed in a timely fashion.
About the Division: The Washington State Patrol Toxicology Laboratory Division’s (TLD) mission is to provide competent forensic science services and training for the agencies within Washington’s criminal justice community. The TLD is focused on providing the highest quality forensic services which ultimately enhance public safety for the citizens of Washington.
About the Agency: The WSP actively supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in the workplace, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The WSP strives to create and foster an inclusive culture inspiring everyone to be their authentic selves, speak openly, and be courageous. The WSP continues to focus on equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices and policies through innovative recruitment and retention solutions. Partnering with our communities helps the WSP provide the best in public safety services now and into the future.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Prepare QC and competency samples for scientists; prepare standard materials used in testing; track QC/test method performance and respond to issues; assist with proficiency test assignment and tracking/reporting; assist with test method development and validation; assist with training of current and new scientists.
- Perform analytical testing for volatiles, drugs and/or other toxins on biological evidence submitted to the toxicology lab.
- Provide expert opinions and explains the role that drugs and alcohol may play.
- Coordinate and assist with maintenance of instruments/equipment.
- Maintain expertise on instrument usage and troubleshooting; provide training to others in usage, maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Assist and participate in scheduled Toxicology Laboratory Division and Breath Test Program audits covering evidence processing, adherence to policies and procedures and accreditation requirements; assist with the annual review of all technical, operational, quality and training manuals and related documents; assists with the preparation for external assessments/audits.
- Assist with collating public disclosure records.
- Attend and provide relevant training.
- Schedule (i.e., hours and days): 40 hours/week, options for daily schedule (8 hr. day, 9/80 or 4/10).
Travel Requirements: Travel required for court testimony, off-site audits, or travel between laboratory locations.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver's License or able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
- Must be willing and able to work on cases involving traumatic events.
- Bachelor’s degree in a natural science, forensic science or closely related field, including 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of chemistry coursework. AND
- A minimum of three years of forensic experience in a forensic toxicology laboratory.
Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of a pre-employment polygraph examination and background investigation.
- Provide an oral DNA sample to be used in the CODIS Elimination Profile Index.
- You must submit a current resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts (high school/ GED and/ or college) when you apply.
Compensation
In addition to the salary, this position will also receive a 5% King County pay.
Salary: $80,112.00 - $107,712.00 Annually
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits: Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation: State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security: All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays: Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave): Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non-overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave: Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave: Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave: Leave Sharing, Parental Leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Leave Without Pay .
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
How to apply
Apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4417461-0/forensic-scientist-4-federal-way.
You must submit a current resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts (high school/ GED and/ or college) when you apply.
Supplemental Information
- This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
- For more information regarding how to apply for this position, please click here (Download PDF reader).
- Applicants claiming veterans preference must attach a copy of their DD214 (SSN must be blacked out). If you do not provide the required documentation, the veterans preference will not be awarded. Please click here to determine your eligibility.
- WSP Policy 1.04.020 - WSP does not engage in, or assist with, civil immigration enforcement, therefore; In no stage of the hiring process will the immigration status of family members of the candidate be investigated by the Washington State Patrol.
- Questions? Please contact Monica Simpson at monica.simpson@wsp.wa.gov .
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