Forensic Science Technician (Firearms and Photography)

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking to fill a Forensic Science Technician position within the Division of Criminal Investigation’s Criminalistics Laboratory.

Organization Background

The mission of DPS is to serve the people of Iowa by providing public safety services with leadership, integrity and professionalism through the core values of courtesy, service and protection. The Department is a statewide law enforcement agency and includes the Administrative Services Division, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Fire Marshal and the Division of Intelligence. The Department works in conjunction with federal, state and local jurisdictions of the criminal justice community to provide for the safety of persons living in, or traveling through the State of Iowa.

The DCI Criminalistics Laboratory provides professional forensic scientific services and support to the criminal justice community throughout Iowa. The Lab is accredited through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ISO-based Forensic Accreditation Program. The Lab provides forensic science capabilities to the Iowa criminal justice community in the following disciplines: Arson and Explosives, Crime Scene Response/Processing, Breath Alcohol, Drug Identification, DNA (casework and offender profiling), Impression Evidence (latent prints, tire tracks, footwear), Firearms and Tool Marks, Photography and Video Enhancement, Questioned Documents, Toxicology, and Trace Evidence.

Job Description

This position will primarily be assigned to the Firearms Section of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory and will also support photography functions within the laboratory as needed. Primary duties include the function testing of submitted semiautomatic handguns and selected long guns, to test fire and recover fired cartridge cases and enter those cartridge cases into a national, electronic database. This position will also process photographic prints, maintain crime scene photography equipment and utilize forensic photographic techniques to record significant details in evidentiary items.

Additional duties include managing the inventory of firearms set for destruction, and managing a reference collection of selected firearms. This position requires daily use of, and input to, a laboratory information management system.

Other Information

• The applicant shall have an associates degree with an emphasis in laboratory technology, chemistry, biology, physics, or a related scientific field to qualify for this position. A bachelor's or advanced degree in one of these scientific discipline's is also acceptable. Individuals that anticipate graduating within the next 6 months with an associates (or advanced) degree as listed are encouraged to apply.
• On-site training in both the Firearms and Photography sections is part of the early months of employment.
• Some travel is required to attend specialized classes lasting up to one week in duration.
• Frequent moving of heavy carts is required and lifting of items up to 50 pounds.
• Applicants must not have any uncorrected vision deficiencies, specifically related to the ability to perceive subtleties of shape and composition.
• Applicants must be able to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.
• Applicants must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid Iowa Driver's License.
• Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter, resume, and college transcripts within the NEOGOV application.
  
  

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must possess an associate's degree with an emphasis in laboratory technology, chemistry, biology, physics, or a related field to qualify for positions in this job classification.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

For select positions, applicants may be required to meet one or more of the additional qualification requirements listed below.

• A minimum of twelve semester hours of education, six months of full-time experience, or an equivalent combination of both in the following areas:
• 072 photography
• 108 DNA analysis
• 005 crime scene
  
  

• A minimum of six months of full-time experience in the following areas:
• 049 latent fingerprint development
• 102 firearms
  
  

Applicants who wish to be considered for these select positions must describe on the application how each additional qualification requirement is met.

Applicants for this job class must be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation.