Forensic Chemist Technician

Department of Public Safety

Job Class Code: 7043
Grade: 18/Professional & Technical
Salary: $19.88$27.67/Hour (Salary includes 4.5 Stipend)
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: April 17 2025

Closing Date: May 2 2025

The Maine State Police Crime Laboratory Forensic Chemist Technicians handle an array of duties and responsibilities essential to lab operations and its mission. This is technical services work involving the examination and testing of physical evidence collected in connection with criminal investigations. Work includes examining and identifying certain types of physical evidence through the use of chemical physical and biological tests and procedures as well as preparing samples for analysis by forensic scientists. Work is performed under general supervision.

A successful candidate will have knowledge of basic principles of chemistry biology and serology forensic laboratory techniques instruments equipment terminology knowledge of State Police and FBI evidence collection packaging and preservation techniques; be able to perform chemical immunological and grouping tests of blood and body fluids perform microscopic and chemical examinations of trace evidence; and be able to work and communicate effectively orally or in writing with other lab scientists lab partners including but not limited to Federal State County and Municipal law enforcement professionals other crime laboratories accredited vendors healthcare providers elected officials and an array of community resource groups and instruct in forensic laboratory subjects.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Prepares samples and performs microscopic and chemical examinations of trace evidence in order to assist forensic scientists in the identification and characterization of hair fiber paint glass and gunshot residue samples.
• Prepares samples of blood and other body fluids for storage and/or further analysis in order to preserve specimens and assist forensic scientists in the conduct of complex laboratory tests.
• Assists in the processing of crime scenes and vehicles in order to identify and seize physical evidence.
• Packages marks receives and returns physical evidence in order to maintain continuity and integrity of the evidence.
• Testifies in court in order to establish continuity of evidence.
• Maintains laboratory safety and cleanliness standards in order to assure worker safety and required testing environment.
• Maintains scientific notebooks and instrument logs in order to record work performed and results obtained.
• Writes and maintains a variety of laboratory records to document information for future reference and retrieval.
• Monitors stock levels of reagents chemicals unit supplies and requests reorders to perform required testing and lab services.
• Acts as the labs LIMS Administrator
• Responsible for evidence reconciliations
• This position will report to the labs section supervisor assigned.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of basic principles of chemistry biology and serology.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory techniques instruments equipment and terminology.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory operations.
• Knowledge of State Police and FBI evidence collection packaging and preservation techniques and procedures.
• Ability to prepare samples of blood body fluids and trace evidence for examination and storage.
• Ability to perform chemical serological tests of blood and body fluids.
• Ability to perform microscopic and chemical examinations of trace evidence.
• Ability to maintain laboratory records.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to instruct in forensic laboratory subjects

Minimum qualifications:

An Associate of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Science and two 2 years experience in forensic laboratory work OR an equivalent four 4 year combination of education training and experience.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Forensic science laboratory experience

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Lt. Michael Zabarsky

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the Apply for this opening button along with uploading a cover letter current resume and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not fulltime employment should be identified as such.

If you require a paper application please download and print one here contact our office at. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resumebefore the closing dateto Security & Employment Service Center 45 Commerce Drive Augusta ME 04330 or faxed to. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government you find employees who embody our state mottoDirigo or I leadas they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforces health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package including:

• WorkLife Fit Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays12 days of sick leave and3 weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service and overtimeexempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage The State of Maine pays8595 of employeeonly premiums $11196.96 $12514.32 annual value) depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costsfor you and your family including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance The State of Maine pays 100 of employeeonly dental premiums $387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29 of the employees pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA or 18.09 for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than fulltime.

Theres a job and then theres purposeful transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn grow and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race color sex sexual orientation or gender identity physical or mental disability religion age ancestry national origin familial status or genetics.

If youre looking for a great next step and want to feel good about what you do wed love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying

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