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Forensic Scientist Trainee

Missouri State Highway Patrol
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The Missouri Highway Patrol Crime has an opening for a Forensic Scientist Trainee in the DNA Casework section.

Location: Cape Girardeau, MO

This is a first-level professional and technical position where the employee receives comprehensive instruction, and on-the-job training, in the use of scientific methods of collection, observation, and analysis to detect, interpret, and report findings of physical evidence in DNA Casework.  This section has a heavy workload, and this position requires a lengthy training period.  Instruction and work are expected to adhere to established policies and operating procedures. This position requires the employee to be able to testify as an expert witness in a court of law.  This position is classified as nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

 

Requirements: 

Possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a biology, chemistry or forensic science related field.  College coursework must include 20 semester hours in biology and successfully completed courses (graduate or undergraduate level) in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics and/or population genetics. 

  • Must obtain and/or possess and maintain a valid driver license.
  • Must submit to periodic random drug testing.
  • Must provide a DNA sample to be used only for forensic identification as required.
  • Must be able to pass a polygraph examination after conditional offer of employment.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain an FBI background investigation to become a CODIS user. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Working knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate understanding and successful interpretation, explanation, and application of all assigned areas of the crime laboratory, as well as the laws, principles, and practices as they are related to implementation within the agency.     
  • Working knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate understanding and successful interpretation, explanation, and application of the agency's policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in the performance of duties.     
  • Knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate successful use of computer equipment and associated software/databases in the performance of duties.     
  • Knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate successful operation and use of designated crime laboratory equipment and associated software systems in the performance of duties.
  • Working knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate understanding and successful use of the principles and practices of project management techniques in the performance of duties.     
  • Possess and demonstrate successful communication skills in English via all modes of communication.     
  • Possess and demonstrate successful management and prioritization of work within predetermined deadlines and stressful/adverse situations.     
  • Possess and demonstrate the ability to successfully work as a team member and positively interact with a variety of people, as well as work hours as assigned.
  • Ability to demonstrate successful performance in the training and mentoring of junior staff. 
  • Ability to demonstrate successful performance in the research, gathering, correlating, and analyzing of facts to develop statistical reports, charts, recommendations, and/or solutions in the performance of duties.     
  • Ability to demonstrate successful performance and adherence to the rules of conduct for Patrol employees in accordance with General Order 26-02, as well as all other applicable agency policy and procedures. 
  • Ability to demonstrate successful performance and adherence to policy and procedure in the care and maintenance of restricted and confidential information in the performance of duties. 
  • Ability to work with material that may be of a sexual nature relating to criminal activity (e.g., written material, photographs, and/or verbal language, etc.). 
  • Ability to maintain impartiality and objectivity in the performance of duties and responsibilities. 
  • Ability to testify as an expert witness in a court of law. 

Please refer to the job description located here (scroll to Forensic Scientist Trainee): https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/HRD/Civilian/CivilianJobDescriptions/salarySchedule.html

 

Apply on the Missouri State Highway Patrol website (NOT ON HANDSHAKE, PLEASE): https://statepatrol.dps.mo.gov/pages/civiliancareeropportunities, select Civilian Employment Openings.