AddressResponsibilities
The Seattle Toxicology Laboratory is hiring 2 Forensic Scientist 5 positions. Employees will receive a 5% King County pay In addition to their salary.
About the Position: This position supports that mission by proving expert forensic analysis of toxicology evidence involved in criminal and death investigations. The position provides the critical public safety link between the commission of crime and its subsequent investigation and prosecution of the persons responsible. Maintaining compliance with strict quality standards is critical to the mission of the Division and Agency because it allows our public leaders, criminal justice system and citizens to have trust and confidence in the Division’s forensic services; enables the Division’s work product to withstand rigorous legal challenges; aids in the determination of cause and manner of death; enhances public safety by helping remove offenders from the communities; and it preserves justice and protects civil rights through the exoneration of persons falsely accused.
The Forensic Scientist 5 (FS5) is crucial to maintaining the quality of forensic casework in their discipline through their direct involvement in training of staff, ensuring that quality measures are employed on the front line, and providing administrative and technical reviews on all casework.
The FS5 interacts with other laboratory management (Supervisors, Managers, Division Commander, State Toxicologist), the Technical Leads and all other technical and/or administrative personnel. The FS5 interacts with management to gain understanding of current goals, policies and procedures and to suggest improvements or mitigate non-conformities. They direct and review the work of technical personnel (FS1-3) and interact with Administrative staff and Property & Evidence Custodians to ensure smooth operations.
The FS5 also engages with personnel from other laboratories or sections within the Bureau, at functional area meetings, the Agency’s Strategic Advancement Forum, and in technical seminars and training events, when required.
This position is considered critical in the event of Washington State Patrols Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Designation – For Disaster or Emergency Recovery. This position supports the COOP by having the ability to asses and allocate resources for laboratory operations.
About the Division: The mission of the WSP Toxicology Laboratory Division (TLD) is to provide high quality, innovative, and comprehensive toxicology services in support of public health and safety in our community.
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:
- Supervises Forensic Scientists to include training staff, peer-reviews casework, and batch analysis; ensures evaluations are completed on time; addresses personnel issues; communicates effectively and consistently to all staff; ensures staff have resources; ensures staff adhere to all relevant Agency, Bureau and Division policies and procedures and addresses non-compliances.
- Testifies in court; interprets casework and toxicology-related issues.
- Participates in short- and long-term planning for the laboratory; assists with writing and updating technical, quality, and administrative manuals; assists with laboratory accreditation efforts.
- Provides training of forensic toxicology topics/issue to colleagues, customer agencies and/or interested parties.
Work Setting/ Hazards: Office and laboratory setting. Hazardous and bio-hazardous chemicals and evidence must be safely handled following the safety guidelines.
Schedule (i.e., hours and days): Eight hour work days are typical (excluding lunch), Monday through Friday. Exchange time may be required due to court, training, or other circumstances. Flexible schedules may be available with approval.
Travel Requirements: Travel is required for court testimony, training, and meetings. Transportation is by pool car or other approved means such as air travel.
Tools and Equipment: Analytical instrumentation, balances, pipettes and diluters.
Customer Interactions: Interacts with medical examiners, coroners, attorneys, law enforcement agency personnel and other community members. Difficult topics may need to be discussed in a sensitive manner.
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.
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.
- A bachelor’s degree in a natural science, forensic science, or closely related field, including
- 20 semester hour or 30 quarter hours of chemistry coursework.
- Examples of related fields include: pharmacology, medical technology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, or toxicology.
- Minimum of three years of forensic toxicology (or relevant) experience, to include performing analyses of biological evidence and testifying as an expert witness in courts of law.
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
$7,184.00 - $9,668.00 Monthly
$86,208.00 - $116,016.00 Annually
Benefits
More than Just a Paycheck! 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' website.
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 non-overtime 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 nonovertime 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)
- 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/4496738/forensic-scientist-5-seattle-toxicology-laboratory
You must submit a current resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts (high school/ GED and/ or college) when you apply.
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