Job Description

Forensic Scientist Position

The recruitment is exempt from the hiring freeze (Administrative Order 358). This recruitment is open to Alaska Residents only. Applicants must meet Alaska Residency Requirements in order to be considered for employment at this time.

This position is currently being reviewed by Classification. Depending on the outcome, this recruitment pool may or may not be utilized to fill this vacancy.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING: The Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (ASCDL) works with the Public Health Laboratory (PHL) to provide toxicology testing services to the State of Alaska. This position will support the DUI toxicology testing program at the PHL and ASCDL.

Forensic Scientist 1: This is an entry level position focused on successfully progressing through a forensic toxicology training program. Training will be provided collaboratively by ASCDL and PHL personnel. A Forensic Scientist 1 may also perform independent tasks, including chemical and/or instrumental testing of toxicology samples, once authorized to do so.

Forensic Scientist 2: This is an intermediate position focused on performing independent casework, including chemical and/or instrumental testing, after completing an initial training program. This position is also expected to further develop expertise in human performance toxicology interpretation as it relates to driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Forensic Scientist 3: This position is fully competent in the forensic toxicology testing services provided by ASCDL and PHL as well as the interpretation of their results. A primary duty of this position is to provide scientifically supportable toxicology opinions and interpretations during court proceedings based on results generated by the PHL and/or the ASCLD. Additional duties include participation in method validation, review of OSAC standards, instrument maintenance, and providing training to external stakeholders.

OUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION, AND CULTURE: The Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory provides scientific support to the criminal justice system to help create a safer Alaska. We feel compelled to give the best of ourselves to fulfill our mission and purpose, we treat each other with dignity and respect, we never stop learning, and we remain positive in the face of change.

THE BENEFITS OF JOINING OUR TEAM: The Alaska Scientific Crime Detection laboratory invites forensic scientists to join a mission-driven community that values professionalism, and public service. Work schedules are adaptable, with options for alternate weeks or telework. Staff enjoy a collaborative culture focused on respect, growth, and work-life balance, plus access to continuing education and the latest technology. Scientists regularly engage with the broader forensic community through national initiatives and professional development. The 84,000 sq foot state of art facility nestled in the foothills of the Chugach mountains in Anchorage is a fantastic place to work and provides forensic science services to the biggest state in the country.

THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT: The position is based at the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in Anchorage, Alaska. This role involves analyzing forensic evidence in a laboratory setting and performing case documentation and communication tasks in an office environment. The laboratory offers stunning views of the Chugach Mountains and local wildlife making it a uniquely scenic place to work. Occasional travel outside Anchorage may be required for court appearances, stakeholder training sessions, or external continuing education programs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Forensics: Knowledge of procedures of civil, criminal, or administrative hearings, evidence collection, including the delivery and receipt of evidence, classes of evidence, and rules of evidence and legal procedures
• Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Quality Assurance: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a product fulfills functional requirements and standards.

The Department of Public Safety strives to preserve the peace, enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, and protect life and property. All positions support or carry out the Department's mission. If our mission interests you and this position embodies your strengths, please consider joining our team. More information about the Department of Public Safety can be found on our website.

Minimum Qualifications

FORENSIC SCIENTIST 1 - CHEMISTRY: Bachelor's degree for an accredited college in natural science, physical science, forensic science, criminalistics, or a closely related field. Forensic Scientist 2 - CHEMISTRY: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in natural science, physical science, forensic science, criminalistcs, or a closely related field And The successful completion of the State of Alaska flexible staffing plan for the chemistry discipline And One year of experience as a Forensic Scientist I with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer. The experience and flex plan training may be earned concurrently. Or substitution: One additional year of Forensic Scientist I experience in the chemistry discipline will substitute for the flex plan training. FORENSIC SCIENTIST 3 - CHEMISTRY: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in natural science, physical science, forensic sciences, criminalistics, or a closely related field And The successful completion of the State of Alaska Forensic Scientist 2 flexible staffing plan for the chemistry discipline And Two years of experience as a Forensic Scientist 2 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent with another employer. The experience and flex plan training may be earned concurrently. Substitution: One year of additional Forensic Scientist 2 experience in the chemistry discipline will substitute for the flex plan training. Special Note: Employees will be expected to successfully pass annual proficiency/competency tests. Appointments to positions in the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory are subject to background requirements per ASCLD/LAB and the Department of Public Safety. A criminal background investigation, including fingerprinting, is required.

Additional Required Information

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

This position is flexibly staffed. It may be filled at the 1, 2, or 3 level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at a lower level, promotion to the higher level will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

This position requires the incumbent to submit to a fingerprint based criminal history background check. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, and required access to APSIN, an applicant with criminal convictions will not move forward in the selection process.

The successful candidate will be required to read, understand, and agree to via signature, an agreement of confidentiality concerning the work commonly encountered within the Department of Public Safety to qualify for this position.

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Applications will be reviewed to determine if minimum qualifications are met. Therefore, all work experiences the applicant is using to meet minimum qualifications for this position must be documented in the application package. Please include the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether the employment was full or part-time. Applicants who submit packages that do not provide sufficient information to demonstrate minimum qualifications are met may not advance in the selection process.

Note: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on

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