Criminalist DNA Analyst #2112-314120-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

This is a technical and advanced professional level laboratory position responsible for processing and analyzing physical evidence in the Biology Section of an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited crime laboratory. 

• Performs complex laboratory analyses of biological evidence obtained from crime scenes or elsewhere; uses advanced laboratory techniques, materials, and analytical instrumentation in the analysis and typing of DNA from body fluids and tissues;
• Interprets results, formulates independent conclusions and prepares reports of findings for use by the criminal justice system;
• Provides expert testimony in court relating to results of analyses; provides technical advice and guidance to laboratory personnel and members of the criminal justice system in forensic matters;
• Follows quality control procedures and ensures that all work is performed in accordance with laboratory procedures, state and federal regulations, ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation standards and the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories;
• Performs quality assurance and quality control checks; Assists with the maintenance and calibration of complex laboratory equipment;
• Performs related work as required.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, equipment, and current techniques used in forensic evidence testing;
• Knowledge of the methods used in collecting and preserving physical evidence, maintaining legal chain of custody and presenting such evidence in court as an expert witness;
• Knowledge of Quality Control procedures and Quality Assurance principles; knowledge of ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements;
• Ability to communicate effectively, to formulate and present ideas in an effective manner and to create comprehensive understandable reports of findings; Ability to follow oral and written procedures and policies and the ability to read and comprehend authoritative directives, laws, and ordinances;

ADA and Other Requirements
Positions in this class typically require: fingering, grasping, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements: 

• Remaining in a stationary position, often sitting or standing for prolonged periods.
• Occasional movement throughout the workday daily to interact with staff and accomplish tasks.
• Communicating both verbally and written in order to exchange information.
• Repeating motions of holding, grasping, turning, that may include the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying.
• Work primarily in office environment.
• Ability to operate office equipment, such as computer, copier, fax machine, and phone.  

Sensory Requirements:

• Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proof reading, data entry, tabulating data.
• Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain. 
• Comprehension of written information in work related documents.
• Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech.  

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an indoor office environment with moderate exposure to atmospheric conditions; moderate exposure to environmental conditions (such as officers, community members, victims, etc.); and frequent exposure to computer screens, files and phone. 

Minimum of three (3) years of documented, forensic human-DNA laboratory experience in an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) or ISO/IEC 17025 accredited crime laboratory;

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

As of October 1, 2021:

The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all new City of Charlotte employees. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.