Criminalist II (Molecular Genetics)

About the role

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility, or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

Responsibilities

• Participates in casework rotation and performs sample accession and processing and case sign-in and intake database reviews;
• Performs sample cutting and extraction, DNA quantitation and DNA sample preparation;
• Performs Sanger and next-generation sequencing procedures and data analysis;
• Performs administrative review of case reports.

• Participates in quality control rotation and performs instrument maintenance and performance check;
• Cleans laboratory and prepares reagents/supplies inventory;
• Conducts validation projects and provides validation plan and summary.

• Trains and assesses competency in the training and competency assessment program;
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Note

Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.

This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability.

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
• For Assignment to Assignment Level I - B: At least one year of satisfactory full-time experience in criminalistics, forensic science or analytic chemistry, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level II: One year of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B; or one additional year of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of two years of such experience; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling two years of experience as described above.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level III: Two years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B and/or II; or two additional years of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of three years of such experience; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling three years of experience as described above.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level IV: Three years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B, II, and/or III; or three additional years of experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of four years of such experience; or a satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling four years of experience, as described above.