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Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career! 

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Job Requisition ID:

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Job Description:

THIS A SENSITIVE GOVERNMENT POSITION

Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.
 

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.

The Division of Forensic Sciences within the GBI is currently looking to fill positions for Crime Lab Scientists in the Forensic Biology Department. Applicants selected for employment will be offered a position at the following crime laboratories as the final work location:

GBI Headquarters Laboratory located in Decatur, GA

Coastal Lab located in Pooler, GA

Northeastern Lab located in Cleveland, GA

Southwestern Lab located in Moultrie, GA

Applicants must select their geographic location preference(s) by answering the supplemental questions during the application process. Applicants may also be given an opportunity to select their geographic location preference(s) at the time of interview. THE 18 MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM MAY BE HELD AT A LAB OUTSIDE OF THE FINAL WORK LOCATION.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Some positions/locations listed in this announcement are not currently open. However, we are building a pool of qualified applicants. Apply now to be considered when opportunities become available.

• TESTING WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL TO SCHEDULE A TEST APPOINTMENT.

• IN PERSON INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH AT THE GBI HEADQUARTERS, LOCATED AT: 3121 PANTHERSVILLE ROAD, DECATUR, GA 30034. Headquarters, Decatur, GA

All applicants must download (right click to save), complete, and upload the Pre-employment Questionnaire. Failure to complete and upload the Pre-employment Questionnaire will result in your application being rejected.  Click the following link to download the questionnaire.  Pre-employment Questionnaire.   

Only qualified applicants who complete and submit the State of Georgia application and Pre-employment Questionnaire will receive email notification with a link to schedule a test appointment. The notification will consist of the link to schedule a test appointment and times.

Job Duties:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under immediate supervision the Crime Lab Scientist performs analytical procedures related to DNA analysis of biological samples for the GBI Crime Lab. Performs DNA analysis of physiological fluids for the purpose of identification and individualization. The type of material typically examined includes but is not limited to semen and saliva collected at crime scenes or from articles of physical evidence.
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Conduct DNA extraction, amplification and analysis to identify suspects or victims through biological samples.
• Identifying and analyzing bodily fluids.
• Examining blood group typing, antibody screening and other serological test to link suspects or victims to crime scenes.
• Sit or stand for long periods.
• Able to work assigned schedule.
• Provide expert testimony in court.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent will occasionally be required to stand; walk; reach, carry with hands and arms; stoop and kneel. Frequent light lifting 10lbs. unassisted and/or moving of evidence kits or supplies is required. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

These positions require the incumbent to work in a laboratory setting which includes shared office space with other Crime Lab personnel. These positions must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in the laboratory to include lab coat, gloves, face mask and protective eye wear. PPE will be provided.

NOTE: This position will require some travel and operating a state vehicle for court. A valid Georgia driver’s license is required.

For additional information on the Forensic Biology (DNA) department, please visit the GBI website. 

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a Major in BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY or FORENSIC SCIENCE related area, that includes the successful completion of at least 40 semester hours (or 60 quarter hours) of biology or chemistry related major course work.
 
 AND,

Nine (9) cumulative credit hours (or equivalent quarter hours) in course work that provides an understanding of the foundation of DNA analysis.   These courses can include, but are not limited to, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, biological chemistry, population genetics, molecular genetics, cell and molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics.  General education science courses, e.g., Biology 101, cannot be used to satisfy the education course requirements.

AND,

at least one (1) credit hour of a Statistics (or Population Genetics) course.  

• The course title for Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Statistics (or Population Genetics) must be clearly stated as such on the transcript(s). A general science education course, such as Biology 101, would not count as one of these courses.  A syllabus or detailed course description may be requested.

* Successful completion is considered a "C" or better in coursework.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to applicants that, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following:

• Current DOFS Employee.
• Previous experience performing human STR analysis in an accredited forensic laboratory.
• Previous experience operating a Model 3500 genetic analyzer.
• Previous experience using GeneMapper ID software.
• Previous experience using extraction techniques for human DNA.

YOU MUST UPLOAD A COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT WITH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION! 

* TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE IN A WORD DOCUMENT OR PDF. 

NO PHOTOS, JPEG FILES, OR SCREENSHOTS ALLOWED!  

Transcripts can be unofficial for the application process. If currently enrolled in college, your transcript should include all courses that you are currently enrolled in.

Supplemental Information:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND ENSURE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE STEPS BELOW. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

•  Uploaded transcripts and any required course content(s) when completing the application. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE IN A WORD DOCUMENT OR PDF FORMAT. NO PHOTOS, JPEG FILES, OR SCREENSHOTS ALLOWED. 
• Uploaded A COMPLETED Pre-employment Questionnaire with the State of Georgia Application.
• Selected the preferred lab locations.

The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

• Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification. 
• The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.
• Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment.
• Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S. credit equivalent. Applicants must submit a copy of the credential evaluation as part of the application process. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.  
• Due to budget constraints, the GBI is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®). 

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minimum Qualifications:

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.