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SalaryDescription of Work
**This posting has been extended with a new recruitment range of $55,000 to $67,592. Current applicants are still under consideration and do not need to reapply**
Not sure you meet all listed requirements? Let our team take a look. Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
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 at the State Crime Lab in Raleigh, N.C.
Learn more about the lab here: https://ncdoj.gov/crime-lab/
The primary purpose of the Firearms Section is to provide the North Carolina Criminal Justice System with trained and experienced Forensic Scientists who analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations. The forensic services provided include laboratory analysis, technical field assistance, expert witness testimony and training on evidence collection/handling in the areas of firearm examination, firearms comparison, serial number restoration, and IBIS/NIBIN examination.
The primary purpose of this Forensic Scientist I is to perform entry level Firearms casework – an equitable share of the analyses performed by the unit, prepare written reports of the results of the analyses, and provide expert testimony in court on the results of the analyses.
The Forensic Scientist I will complete prescribed Firearms training requirements before beginning casework.
CASE WORK AND REPORT WRITING
The primary purpose of a Forensic Scientist I is to perform casework on firearms evidence seized by law enforcement officers in the course of their investigations. Analysis of evidence consists of one or more of the following:
- Evaluation of a firearm to determine functionality, safety, and alterations
- Test-firing of firearms
- Determination of caliber
- Determination of whether unknown ammunition components were fired from a particular firearm
- Determination of IBIS suitability
- Restoration of obliterated serial numbers
The Forensic Scientist I will perform casework with a limited degree of technical independence.
The analysis must be documented by the Forensic Scientist. This documentation is kept in the laboratory case file and includes the Forensic Scientist’s notes, sketches, photographs and other related data that is generated during the analysis. This documentation must conform to the criteria set forth in the Crime Laboratory’s quality assurance procedures.SPECIALIZED CASE ASSIGNMENT – Technical Field Assistance
The analyst may be called upon to process major crime scenes by locating and recovering projectiles, determining bullet pathways and to assist a Forensic Scientist II or higher in processing for gunshot residue and collecting toolmarks. This will usually involve the use of hand and power tools, casting materials (e.g., mikrosil), forensic chemicals (e.g., sodium rhodizonate and greiss paper for GSR analysis) and forensic instruments (e.g., trajectory rods and laser, digital camera).
COURT TESTIMONY AND COMMUNICATION
The Forensic Scientist must testify in state and federal courts as to his/her analysis of the evidence. The Forensic Scientist is, through education, training and experience, qualified by the court as an expert in the field of forensic firearms analysis before being allowed to testify about the analysis.
PEER REVIEW OF CASEWORK
This position is responsible for the review of their peer’s laboratory reports to ensure they meet laboratory standards for quality assurance prior to issuance. It is the reviewer’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed and that there are no administrative errors in the case’s report or supporting documentation.
Overtime and on-call are required in this position. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Forensic Scientist participates in competency and proficiency testing.
The Forensic Scientist shall be required to obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within 18 months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entities.
- 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, fingerprinting and urinalysis drug screening.
- Out of state applicants: This may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense after the initial interview, in order to undergo the background investigation process.
- Transcripts are required at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. Foreign degrees require an official evaluation for U.S. equivalency to be provided at the time of application.**
This position requires travel to testify in court.
Note to Current State Employees:
The salary grade for this position is NC14. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. Please detail ALL work history including non-state service experience. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY or MAY NOT result.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR A NEW HIRE TO THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO THE RECRUITMENT RANGE OF $55,000 to $67,592. Salary offers for the selected candidate are based on the candidate's education and experience related to the position, as well as our agency budget and equity.
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
1. Employees must have knowledge of the principles, concepts, theories, reference sources and laboratory practices involved with the forensic examination of evidence.
2. Employees must have knowledge of criminal law and of the rules and regulations regarding evidence gathering and handling.
3. Employees must have 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
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 with a major in forensic science, chemistry, biology, physical science (physics), mechanical engineering, criminal justice or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; 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: Two (2) years of related experience, IBIS/NIBIN experience
Supplemental and Contact Information
The NC Department of Justice accomplishes our goals through our DOJ Organizational Values of Public Service, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, and Innovation. We encourage all qualified candidates who are committed to these values and want to make a difference in the lives of our citizens to apply for this opportunity.
Please be sure to complete the application in full.
Note the following: If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date
Resumes and cover letters: To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. This information is used to determine if you meet the requirements of the position, and if you are selected, it is used to determine a salary offer.
Using the terms "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will not be accepted and your application will be rejected as incomplete. Cover letters are highly encouraged but not required.
Transcripts: Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. A copy of your transcripts indicating the degree received can be uploaded with your application.
If a transcript has been requested, your application will be considered incomplete if you do not provide one. Using a photograph of your diploma is not acceptable.
Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application. Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.
Any licenses or certificates must be included in the appropriate section of the application form.
Veterans Preference: Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 or discharge orders.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if you are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If you are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, you must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
Application status: To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks. All applicants will be notified by email once a position is filled.
NeoGov Help Line: If you are having technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the NC DOJ Human Resources office.
The NC Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The NC Department of Justice uses Merit-Based Recruitment to select from among the most qualified applicants to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NC Department of Justice
Human Resources Office
114 W. Edenton Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-716-6490
