Criminalist II (CRIMINALIST (FORENSIC CHEMIST))

Criminalist II

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This position is located in the Criminalistics Services Division Northeast Regional Laboratory, Tahlequah, OK.

MAJOR WORK DUTIES:
1. Perform analysis of chemistry (drug) evidence.
2. Quality control of instruments and reagents.
3. Testify in court regarding analysis of biology cases.
4. Stay current with literature reviews and proficiency tests.
5. Transfer and accept case evidence.

Successful applicants must be willing to submit to a drug screen, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation (commissioned positions only), and a thorough background investigation. Certain events automatically disqualify an applicant, such as, felony conviction; admission of an undetected crime that, if known, would have been a felony charge; failure to pay federal or state income tax; positive confirmed drug urine test; illegal use of a controlled substance within certain time frames.

Positions within this job family perform and/or manage forensic analysis of evidence from criminal cases and/or convicted offender DNA samples.

The Criminalist job family has five levels which are distinguished by type and complexity of work and the degree of responsibility assigned.

Level II:
At this career level incumbents perform a range of basic work as a forensic laboratory analyst. They perform scientific and technical analysis in all but the most difficult and complex criminal cases. They train to perform more advanced and complex analysis. They may assist in training others in basic work, perform limited technical and administrative reviews, and perform limited supervised research and development, and may assist in crime scene work.

Note: Selective qualifications for a specific degree and/or specific courses may be applied for each forensic discipline.

Level II:
Requirements include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus one year of experience as a forensic laboratory criminalist. Depending upon selective qualifications, experience may be in controlled substances, trace evidence, forensic biology, serology, forensic DNA, toxicology, questioned documents, digital evidence, firearms/toolmarks, or latent prints. Experience must have been full time and the primary job responsibility to be qualifying.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations has been authorized to use a selective qualification when interviewing applicants for this position.

"Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biology, Forensic Science or a closely related natural science. Candidates must have successfully completed (grade of a C or better) General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, and Organic Chemistry II , PLUS either one year of experience working full-time as a forensic laboratory criminalist within any forensic discipline of the OSBI’s Criminalistics Services Division or one year in a position with another agency in which the applicant performed forensic analysis full-time in forensic chemistry/drug evidence/toxicology."

NOTE: "Experience must have been full time and the primary job responsibility to be qualifying."

Applicants must possess, or be eligible for a valid Oklahoma driver’s license. They must be able to meet the requirements for peace officer certification if required by the agency. They must possess the physical and mental stamina to perform the work and accept the inherent physical, psychological, chemical, and biological hazards. They need accurate vision with or without corrective lens, and need to accurately distinguish between colors. They must be able to successfully complete any necessary training and certification required by the agency, be able to be called back to work at irregular times, be willing and able to work overtime when required, and be willing and able to travel frequently and be in travel status for extended periods of time. They must be willing to transfer where and when needed and to accept assignments anywhere in the state; pass a thorough character and background investigation; successfully pass a polygraph examination, drug screen and, if required by the agency, a psychological evaluation. Subsequent to an offer of employment, applicants may be required by the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to satisfy psychological testing, medical examination and/or physical agility testing standards or requirements. Educational and/or experience selective qualifications may apply for specific disciplines, levels, or positions.

Some positions may require certification by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialist (IACIS) as a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner.

THE FEDERAL OMNIBUS CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1997 CONTAINED AN AMENDMENT OF THE FEDERAL GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968. THIS AMENDMENT ADDRESSES MISDEMEANOR CRIMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. COMMISSIONED APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO SATISFY THE LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN THE FEDERAL LAW.

Scores based on: 100% Evaluation of Education and Experience listed on a supplemental questionnaire.

***NOTE: Names of eligible applicants can be made available to State agencies upon their request, immediately following the closing date and time.