Connecticut Careers Trainee (Health Care Professional) (40 Hour)(Target Class: Forensic Science Examiner 1)

Introduction

Are you seeking career growth within the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for two (2) Connecticut Careers Trainee vacancies with a target class of Forensic Science Examiner 1 to join our team within the Division of Scientific Services located in Meriden, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• These positions are full-time, on-site, 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday - Friday.
• As a general recruitment, the Connecticut Careers Trainee will be recruited to work within the Forensic Biology / DNA section.
• The Connecticut Careers Trainee program consists of a 2-year training program for those with a bachelor's degree listed in the minimum qualifications below. Those with a master's degree in a related field will participate in a 1-year training program. 
• In this role, you will conduct full-process examinations while working alongside lab professionals, forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed. More details can be found in the class specification and the Examples of Duties section below.

Note: We are seeking individuals with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or advanced degree in Forensic Science, chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology or a closely related field. Successful completion of college coursework in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Statistics or Population Genetics. 

ABOUT US

The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.

The Division of Scientific Services (DSS) provides forensic support to local, state and federal agencies throughout Connecticut.  This division is divided into three analytical Sections. They are the Chemical Analysis Section (including toxicology, controlled substances, and arson), the Forensic Biology/DNA Section, and the Identification Section (including computer crimes). The laboratory also has two non-analytical Sections. They are the Quality Section and Laboratory Support Services (including Administration, Evidence Receiving, and Case Management).

The laboratory also has two non-analytical sections which include: the Quality section and the Laboratory Support Services section (including administration, evidence receiving, and case management). 

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

Before you apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. 
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@CT.Gov.
• For assistance in applying, please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important information for after you apply:

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: 

State Employees

• Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
• Completed CT-HR-13
• Cover letter
• A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)

Non-State Employees

• Two (2) professional reference contact information including name, email, and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
• Completed CT-HR-13
• Cover letter
• A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process. 

Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field. 

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Questions about this position should be directed to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The Connecticut Careers Trainee will receive training in Forensic Biology techniques. Training may include the following:

• An examination of submitted evidence and completion of written descriptions;
• Photographing of evidence;
• Removal of trace materials from evidence for analysis in areas of criminalistics and identification;
• Collecting and preparing biological samples for DNA testing;
• Conducting presumptive and confirmatory serology testing;
• Microscopy;
• Conducting extraction, quantitation, amplification and capillary electrophoresis of biological samples, maintaining of instrumentation and equipment and safeguarding laboratory physical evidence;
• Handling materials and samples before and after analysis to maintain them for safekeeping;
• Preparing comprehensive reports; providing explanations and interpretations of results;
• Testifying in court as an expert witness;
• May assist in training laboratory staff and law enforcement personnel; and
• Perform related duties as requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to
  • acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;
  • understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;
  • read, interpret and understand written material;
  • perform basic arithmetical computations;
  • interpret charts, graphs and tables;
  • learn and reason;
  • establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;
  • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with aseptic handling of forensic evidence;
• Professional experience conducting forensic serological testing or evidence screening;
• Experience utilizing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); and
• Professional experience conducting general DNA techniques (extraction, quantitation, amplification, capillary electrophoresis).

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.