Criminalist



Criminalist

Salary

$63,211.20 - $97,219.20 Annually

Location

Ankeny - 50023 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

24-02553

Agency

595 Iowa Department of Public Safety

Opening Date

01/31/2024

Closing Date

3/3/2024 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Gary Licht licht@dps.state.ia.us

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking to fill a Criminalist 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.

Benefits:
The Department of Public Safety, as a State of Iowa Executive Branch agency, offers exciting benefits:

• Health/Dental and Life Insurance
• Paid time off - Nine paid holidays plus generous paid vacation and paid sick leave which begin to accrue on your first day of employment
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) defined benefit program
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Collaborative, creative, positive work environment
• Paid opportunities for professional growth and development - including training, courses and conferences

Job Description:
• This position will collect and preserve evidence at scenes of crimes and perform scientific analyses of physical materials in the investigation of crimes for the Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Laboratory, and will be assigned to the Firearms Section. The primary work of this Criminalist position is to determine if a bullet, cartridge case or other ammunition component was fired in a particular firearm. Other related work is required, including but not limited to; results of comparisons are relayed to the criminal justice system by written reports and in courtroom testimony, function testing of firearms, test firing guns, entering fired cartridge cases into an automated database comparison system, speaking to and training peace officers, and other professional activities.

Other Information:
• Must not have any uncorrected vision deficiencies, specifically related to the ability to perceive subtleties of shape and composition.

• The Iowa DCI Crime Lab is seeking either a trained firearms examiner, or conversely a person to be a trainee in Firearms and Toolmarks examinations and comparisons. The training program if necessary is extensive, lasts about two years, and is conducted both within the DCI Laboratory and in off-site training. Trainees are expected to contribute to the overall success of the section as part of the training program.

• Applicants must be able to pass through a background investigation conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

• 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 and resume
 within the NEOGOV application. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or a closely related physical or natural laboratory science;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of experience in a crime laboratory performing firearms identification, latent print identification, document examination, trace evidence, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, forensic photography, or crime scene investigation and forensic training, for one year (thirty semester hours) of the required education.

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

Additional Qualification Requirements

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

Applicants must be available to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.


Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

 Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01
Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.
  • Yes - I understand and agree.
  • No
02
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?
  • No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
  • Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
03
Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or a closely related physical or natural laboratory science?
  • Yes
  • No
04
How many years do you have of a combination of accredited college or university course work in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or a closely related physical or natural laboratory science AND/OR full-time experience in a crime laboratory performing firearms identification, latent print identification, document examination, trace evidence, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, forensic photography, or crime scene investigation and forensic training? 30 semester hours equals one years of experience.
  • I don't have any of the required education and/or experience
  • Less than four years of the combined education and/or experience
  • Four years or more of the combined education and/or experience

Required Question

Agency
State of Iowa
Agency
595 Iowa Department of Public Safety
Address
215 E 7th St

Des Moines, Iowa, 50319