Forensic Scientist I - Denver Police Department

About Our Job

The Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory is currently seeking to hire a Forensic Scientist I to be assigned to the Latent Print Unit. This position will perform entry level professional forensic work while receiving on-the-job training in the methods, practices, procedures, and equipment of forensic science by applying physical sciences to the investigation of crimes and conducting scientific laboratory analyses on physical evidence.

The Denver Crime Laboratory investigates criminal cases from property crimes to sexual assault, homicide and other major crimes within the City and County of Denver.

This position will be located at Denver Crime Laboratory building at 1371 Cherokee Street.

The current schedule for this position is Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm.

This position is not remote, nor will it become so.

Job responsibilities include:

• Receives comprehensive instruction in the scientific analysis of physical evidence, develops competencies in forensic science including the laboratory techniques, methods, practices, and equipment, and is assigned less complex casework.

• Conducts supervised chemical and biochemical analyzes of evidence to identify and confirm compositions and interpret results for use in felony investigations.

• Maintains chain-of-custody for evidence by recording description of evidence, laboratory identification numbers, dates, times, tests performed, techniques used, and other pertinent information.

• Prepares technical reports, maintains written and computer records of all tests, and consults with supervisors, investigators, and/or attorneys about findings and interpretation of results.

• Assists in the preparation of court testimony that links findings with conclusions and the establishment of the scientific soundness of analytical methods.

• Operates and performs preventive maintenance/minor repairs on state-of-the-art laboratory and analytical instrumentation and equipment.

• By position, visits crime scenes to assist with the identification, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Summary

• Be technically competent, trainable, and understand various scientific principles and methods.

• Have strong interpersonal skills, function well as team member, and complete tasks independently.

• Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions.

• Have one (1) year experience working in a forensic laboratory conducting chemical processing of evidentiary items for the presence of latent prints.

Below are the minimum requirements used to determine eligibility for this position:

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.

• Experience Requirement: One (1) year bench experience working in a laboratory.

• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.

• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

• License/Certifications: It is a condition of employment that the Denver Police Forensics & Evidence Division form for consent for collection of a DNA sample be completed at the time of hire.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CE2194 Forensic Scientist Staff

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$62,186.00 - $102,607.00

Starting Pay

Based on education and experience

Agency

Denver Police Department

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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