Forensic Technician I

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Complete assigned work according to established SOPs, coordinate with other analysts on progress and respond quickly to changing assignments due to changing priorities in casework.
• Perform lab work wearing appropriate PPE, and practice good contamination control techniques.
• Ensure that chain of custody documentation is complete and accurate.
• Prepare serology reagent aliquots and conduct QC testing on new lots of reagents.
• Screen assigned casework samples with diverse matrices using all validated methods, including use of the ALS to find probative stains on items, taking appropriate cuttings from items, performing blood and semen screening.
• Make sound scientific decisions with regard to screening results obtained based on validated methods and standard operating procedures.
• Incorporate quality assurance principles into the laboratory operation and strive for continuous quality improvement.
• Respond to inquiries orally and in writing.
• Prepare forensic serology reports.
• Complete assignments within the designated timeframe and demonstrate effective personal time management in general.
• Organize assigned activities to maximize efficiency, and alert management when technical or schedule problems arise.
• Provide expert testimony in a court of law, must be able to travel by air.
• Perform maintenance and decontamination tasks as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Meet the serologist requirements specified by the Texas Forensic Science Commission regarding education and experience.
• Read, write, and communicate fluently in English.
• Possess sound reasoning skills and regularly show ability to follow detailed standard instructions, with great attention to detail and guidance from company policy manuals and forensic SOPs.
• Possess a working knowledge of Microsoft Office; specifically, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access.
• Able to learn then successfully navigate STACS™-CW tracking software.
• Able to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Travel via airline for testimony as needed.

Education/Experience

• Must meet the forensic technician requirements specified by the Texas Forensic Science Commission regarding education and experience.
• Possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a technical or scientific discipline; however, relevant work experience may be substituted.
• May have little or no prior work experience.

Certificates and Licenses

• Willing and eligible to obtain required State License for Forensic Technician as specified by the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

Clearance

N/A

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Working Conditions/ Equipment

• Must work in a laboratory environment that requires wearing PPE and standing for extended periods of time.
• Will have potential contact with hazardous materials, including biological fluids and must be able to lift up to 20 pounds without assistance and 40 pounds with assistance to handle evidence.