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Job Description
Pay Range: $68,981 - $95,000 annual compensation
***$5,000 Sign-On Incentive***
Job Posting Closing on: Friday, November 8, 2024
Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.
The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.
A Forensic Scientist II, II, IV - Biologist job is available with the City of Fort Worth Police department in the Biology Unit. The candidate must have a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related area with successfully completed coursework (undergraduate or graduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis. The scientist shall have a minimum of 9 semester hours (or the equivalent) that cover the subject areas of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. The candidate will be hired as a Forensic Scientist II or III, based on education, experience, and training in serology, DNA testing, report writing, and technical review.
This position qualifies for the following incentives which is separate from the base pay:
Sign-On Incentive of: $5,000 ***50% paid after the completion of first pay period, 50% paid after the completion of 6 months of employment. ***
Minimum Qualifications for Forensic Scientist II - Biologist:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related area with successfully completed coursework (undergraduate or graduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis. The scientist shall have a minimum of 9 semester hours (or the equivalent) that cover the subject areas of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
- An unofficial transcript illustrating the required college course credits must be submitted at the time of application. If selected for the position candidate must submit an official transcript.
- Ability to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within six (6) months from hire date.
- Provide a buccal DNA sample after hire date.
- Must obtain a Texas Forensic Analyst License within one (1) year of hire date.
- Ability to comply with all Texas Forensic Science Commission requirements
- Three (3) years of relevant independent forensic biology/DNA casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist I (or equivalent).
Additional Qualifications for Forensic Scientist III - Biologist:
- At least five (5) years of more complex independent forensic biology/DNA casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist II (or equivalent).
Additional Qualifications for Forensic Scientist IV - Biologist:
- At least seven (7) years of highly complex independent discipline-specific casework experience as a qualified Forensic Biologist/ Forensic Scientist.
The Forensic Scientist II - Biologist job responsibilities include:
- Examines evidence for the presence of biological material and, when necessary, collects trace material.
- Performs serological and DNA testing.
- Interprets single-source DNA typing results to include making comparisons to known profiles, making determinations about the inclusion or exclusion of contributors and making determinations about profiles to be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
- Utilizes statistical databases to make determinations about the frequency of occurrence of profiles developed in the laboratory.
- Performs serology technical reviews.
- Complies with the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.
The Forensic Scientist III - Biologist job responsibilities include:
- Examines more complex evidence for the presence of biological material and, when necessary, collects trace material.
- Performs serological and DNA testing.
- Interprets both single-source and DNA mixtures.
- Performs technical reviews on non-mixture DNA cases.
- Performs additional Unit responsibilities such as maintaining inventory, ordering supplies, calibrations, outsourcing, etc.
- Determines suitability for entry into CODIS and complies with the FBI Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.
The Forensic Scientist IV- Biologist job responsibilities include:
- Performs all essential duties and responsibilities and unit-specific requirements of a Forensic Scientist III.
- Validates new methods for new technologically advanced instrumentation or platforms.
- Researches forensic science field and studies current material in scientific journals regarding new advances and techniques in forensic examinations.
- Gives presentations or lectures at professional conferences or local colleges and universities.
- Assists unit supervisor in writing procedures and policies for the unit.
- Makes recommendations for continuous improvement to management.
- Develops, modifies, and maintains manuals for training program, section-specific documents, controlled forms with supervisor approval.
- May serve as software application administrator for laboratory information management system. 9. Coordinates preventative maintenance with vendors for scientific instrumentation. 10. Assumes unit lead responsibilities in the absence of the Forensic Supervisor when assigned.
Working Conditions:
Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions in the last 10 years, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication in the last 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and ALL Family Violence Convictions regardless of class.
Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking and repetitive motions. Works with hazardous materials and chemicals. May be exposed to hazardous and/or dangerous work environments.
Conditions of Employment
The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.
The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.
Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only. - Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a biology-, chemistry-, or forensic science-related area with successfully completed coursework (undergraduate or graduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis. The scientist shall have a minimum of 9 semester hours (or the equivalent) that cover the subject areas of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Fort Worth
Show moreThe Community
The City of Cowboys & Culture is known for its Texas hospitality. The stunning and sprawling City of
Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. And it’s no wonder — With great neighborhoods, scenic terrain and a rich history of arts and culture, paired with world-class opportunities for business and education, it’s not only fun to visit Fort Worth, it’s even more rewarding to call it home.Fort Worth truly offers all the benefits and amenities of a bustling metropolitan city, while keeping the small- town charm that keeps it unpretentious and charismatic in all the right ways. Designated as one of America’s “Most Livable Communities” by the Partners for Livable Communities, the city truly offers a melting pot of culture, commerce, community and yes, cowboys.
There are over a dozen remarkable districts full of treasured history among modern luxuries and unique places to have fun, making it the No. 1 tourist destination in Texas and welcoming more than 9.4 million visitors annually.
Being one of the fastest-growing among large cities in the country, Fort Worth has received multiple accolades, including number one downtown (Livability), and the second-best City in the nation for job seekers (Forbes). Our employees serve the needs of over 900,000 residents representing culturally diverse communities.
Exciting Growth & Future Development
One of the most fascinating aspects of the City of Fort Worth is its almost unprecedented growth over the past several years. Both in terms of population and industry, and as the 12th largest city in the United States, Fort Worth is truly booming — which presents both challenges and opportunities to truly develop this city in the right way. Every 30 minutes a new person moves to Fort Worth, so we’re looking for candidates who can embrace an evergrowing and changing environment and improve on it with solutions that work for the entire community of Fort Worth.
Mission
We are working together to build a strong community that others can look to as a pillar of unity and excellence. Through grassroots efforts within the community, and large scale construction and transportation plans that continue to add the infra- structure a growing city like Fort Worth needs, we’ll provide the public services our community requires to continually cultivate the unique city we call home.
Vision
Fort Worth’s vision is to be the most livable and best managed city in the country. We’ll do this by taking care of our citizens, implementing the highest quality standards in our schools, continually improving the neighborhoods we thrive in and the facets of the city that make our town so unique.
Benefits That Are Well Worth It
The City of Fort Worth continues to be dedicated to its employees’ well-being by providing competitive health benefits, a well-rounded wellness program and a Zero Accident Philosophy® workplace. All regular full-time employees and those employees who work 30–39 hours per week are eligible for all City of Fort Worth Benefits. Part-time employees who work 20–29 hours per week are eligible for dental, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 457 Deferred Compensation plan and other voluntary benefits.
Medical Program
The City offers two plan options through Meritain Health, an Aetna company.
The Health Center Plan – Offers employees and their family’s
primary health care services that are 100% completely free and unlimited. Employees can visit any one of the three City of Fort Worth Employee Health Centers and receive guaranteed same or next day appointments for sick visits. Also, services are available at any one of the five satellite locations that serves employees across the city.
The Consumer Choice Plan – Is offered to employees at no cost or low monthly premiums to cover eligible dependents and provides the financial benefits of a Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Preventative services are covered at 100% on both plans.
• Prescription Drug coverage including mail order pharmacy are also included.Vacation
Eligible for 3 weeks of vacation: After successful completion of probationary period (usually
6 months), employees may take time off for rest, relaxation, vacation, illness, religious observances, and personal business.Holidays
Available on the first day of employment, the city provides employees with paid holidays, including two personal holidays.
Wellness Program
The city’s Healthy Challenge Wellness Program rewards all full-time, benefit-eligible employees on the city’s health insurance. The Healthy Challenge Program utilizes a points system. Participants may earn points throughout the year (Jan. 1-Dec. 15) for completing specific program activities and participants can redeem points at the end of the year for a cash reward. By participating, individuals can earn $150, $200 or $250 by accumulating program points.
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