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Working Title: Forensic Scientist 2 or Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1 (Toxicology Section)

Job Class: Forensic Scientist 2 or Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1

Agency: Public Safety Department

+ **Job ID** : 86762

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Trainee: Temporary, Forensic Scientist 2: Permanent

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers and DPS employees eligible to bid. Eligible bidders (permanent, classified employees in the Forensic Scientist 2 classification) should apply through Self-Service and confirm their bid by emailing Madi Markgraf by 11:59 PM 06/17/2025.

+ **Date Posted** : 06/11/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 06/24/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MAPE

+ **Division/Unit** : BCA Lab / BCA Lab Toxicology

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : Yes - Up to 25% of the time

+ **Salary Range:** Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1: $25.02 / hourly; $52,241 / annually, Forensic Scientist 2: $34.18 - $50.69 / hourly; $71,368 - $105,841 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1: Non-Status, Forensic Scientist 2: Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

+ **FLSA Status** : Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1: Nonexempt, Forensic Scientist 2: Exempt-Professional

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1: No, Forensic Scientist 2: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position is telework eligible up to two (2) days per week upon completion of training period.

This announcement will be used to fill a vacant position at either the Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1 level or the Forensic Scientist 2 level in the Toxicology Section of the BCA Forensic Science Services in St. Paul, MN.

This posting will result in hiring into one of the following job classifications. The classification level of the position is based on the selected applicant's qualifications and responses to the interview questions.

• Trainee - Forensic Scientist 1, salary $25.02 /hour

• Forensic Scientist 2, salary range $34.18 -$50.69 /hourly; $71,368 -$105,841 / annually

Additional information about the Forensic Scientist 2 classification:

The person in this position must routinely work with a diverse group of clients within the criminal justice community and within the public sector. The scientist must have the ability to communicate highly technical information to all clients. Clients within the criminal justice community include law enforcement personnel, attorneys, medical examiners, BCA investigators and criminal justice information system staff. The scientist must have the ability to work cooperatively with personnel in other State of Minnesota agencies. The Forensic Scientist 2 routinely communicates with and coordinates work with personnel from federal law enforcement agencies and the US Attorney’s Office.

The scientist must be able to assist in the coordination of section activities that require working on evidence in mutual cases and when using commonly shared laboratory equipment. The scientist must have the ability to communicate on a regular basis with Support Services staff to maintain the efficient and effective flow of casework between the sections. This individual must have the necessary training and leadership skills to work with new staff as a mentor and trainer.

Additional information for the Trainee - Forensic Scientist 1 classification:

The duration of the training program will not exceed one year with a set salary of $25.02 /hr. Professional level experience in a laboratory or advanced level degrees may lessen the length of this time period, but satisfactory performance will govern when the trainee is appointed as a Forensic Scientist 1.

Training will be in the Toxicology discipline of the MN BCA Forensic Science Services and persons hired as a Forensic Scientist Trainee will typically be trained in topics including but not limited to:

1. Foundation and application of forensic procedures pertinent to the forensic discipline in which the trainee is employed

2. Data analysis and interpretation

3. Courtroom testimony

4. Quality assurance as it pertains to forensic science

5. Chain of custody, evidence handling, examination, and documentation

6. Criminal court procedures and practices with special reference to rules of evidence.

Trainees will work with experienced scientists within the applicable section and throughout the BCA FSS during the training program.

Upon successful performance at the Trainee-Forensic Scientist 1 classification (maximum of one year) the employee will be appointed to the position of Forensic Scientist 1 and compensated within the salary range of $29.78-$43.20/hourly: $62,181-$91,496/annually. There will be a six-month probationary period.

Minimum Qualifications

Trainee - Forensic Scientist 1

1. A Bachelor's or advanced degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Forensic Science, Medical Technology, or equivalent.

*Unofficial college transcripts must be submitted with resume.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

3. Ability to work with a diverse clientele.

Forensic Scientist 2

1. A Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Medical Technology or equivalent from an accredited university.

*Unofficial college transcripts must be submitted with resume.

2. At least two (2) years' experience working in a forensic toxicology laboratory.

3. Testified in a court of law as an expert witness in forensic analysis.

4. Excellent computer, customer service and communication skills.

5. Ability to work with a diverse clientele.

*NOTE: APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT CURRENTLY WORK AT A BCA LAB MUST SUBMIT AN UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT(S) ALONG WITH THEIR RESUME. YOU CAN ATTACH A RESUME AND A SECOND ATTACHMENT WITH YOUR TRANSCRIPTS AS A COVER LETTER OR COMBINE THE DOCUMENTS AS A SINGLE ATTACHMENT. PLEASE UPLOAD IN THE COVER LETTER SECTION OF THE ONLINE APPLICATION IN EITHER PDF OR DOCX FORMAT. TRANSCRIPTS NOT ACCEPTED BY EMAIL.

Preferred Qualifications

Trainee - Forensic Scientist 1

1. A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Forensic Science, Medical Technology, or equivalent.

2. Demonstrated knowledge and use of laboratory quality assurance procedures and evidence handling.

3. Experience in a forensic laboratory gained through an internship or work experience; or work experience performing examinations similar to those conducted in a forensic or analytical laboratory.

4. Experience with standard computer software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets).

Forensic Scientist 2

1. Masters or PhD degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Pharmacology, Medical Technology or equivalent from an accredited university.

2. Two years of experience working in an ISO /IEC 17025 accredited forensic toxicology laboratory

3. Experience working with gas and liquid chromatographs and mass spectrometers.

4. Experience testifying in alcohol and/or drug toxicology cases.

5. Experience testifying regarding uncertainty of measurement as it relates to alcohol and drug levels in toxicology samples.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally moving and transporting 50 pound items and frequently moving and transporting objects such as heavy tools and heavy file boxes. This job may require positioning self to move to a significant degree across rough terrain or may involve maintaining a stationary position for extended periods.

Additional Requirements

A Criminal History Background check and reference checks will be completed on the prospective employee. Additional components

to the background check for this position will include the following:

1) Criminal history

2) Reference check

3) Fingerprinting (MNJIS/CJIS)

4) Psychological evaluation

5) Driver's license check

6) Education verification

7) Drug screen

The BCA will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.