Title: Forensic Scientist or Trainee - Breath Alcohol - Division of Technical Services - GF218

State Role Title: Forensic Scientist II

Hiring Range: $58,108 - $102,070

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Forensic Science

Location: Dept of Forensic Science

Agency Website: www.dfs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a grant funded position and is funded through September 30, 2025.

The Virginia Department of Forensic Science is seeking a Forensic Scientist in the Breath Alcohol Section. Duties for this position include training law enforcement, maintenance and repair of evidential instrumentation, expert witness testimony, and research. The Breath Alcohol Section provides training for approximately 5,000 law enforcement personnel regarding proper use of the Commonwealth’s evidential instrument, the Intox EC/IR II. The staff is also responsible for maintenance of all evidential Breath Alcohol instruments and expert witness testimony throughout the state. The Breath Alcohol Section is accredited through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as a Calibration Laboratory and personnel are required to follow all accreditation criteria. This position requires overnight travel and employee will provide own transportation if necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural or physical science, toxicology, or closely related field
• Experience in a scientific laboratory using basic laboratory equipment, techniques, and laboratory safety procedures
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and quality assurance/quality control procedures
• Knowledge, skills, and ability to testify in court through experience and/or training
• Ability to explain and defend scientific concepts to laypersons and peer groups
• Ability to maintain accurate records, analyze and interpret data, manage multiple tasks efficiently, establish work priorities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications
• Valid driver’s license or other means of statewide transportation
  

Additional Considerations

• Completion of the Intox EC/IR II maintenance course
• Completion of the Robert F. Borkenstein Alcohol course
• Experience delivering technical training to professional staff
• Experience as an expert witness providing courtroom testimony and preparing and presenting exhibits of evidence, both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Experience working in an accredited forensic science laboratory and/or familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ANAB accreditation criteria

Trainee:

If a fully qualified Forensic Scientist candidate does not meet all the minimum qualifications, a Forensic Scientist Trainee position may be offered to the most suitable candidate with a salary of $49,059. The selected candidate will be expected to successfully complete a training program performing comprehensive scientific analyses. Upon successful completion of the training program, the trainee’s salary will be established within the salary range for a qualified Forensic Scientist. The training may last up to 12 months, dependent upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. The Trainee must meet the degree requirements stated in the minimum qualifications.

A successful Forensic Scientist Trainee will have competencies that include attention to detail, critical thinking, analytical and deductive reasoning, problem solving, and time management skills.

Trainee Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural or physical science, toxicology, or closely related field
• Ability to maintain accurate records, analyze and interpret data, manage multiple tasks efficiently, establish work priorities, and develop sound conclusions from analyses
• Possess good oral and written communication skills
• Valid driver’s license and/or have other means of reliable transportation.

Trainee Additional Considerations:

• Experience in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited private, local, state, or federal forensic science laboratory (working and/or internship)
• Experience in a scientific laboratory environment using laboratory equipment, techniques, laboratory safety, and QA/QC procedures.
  

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Department of Forensic Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is V3 Virginia Values Veterans certified. The Department strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically, through this website, no later than the position’s closing date stated in the announcement. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume and required transcripts (if applicable).

Applicants needing accommodations during the application and/or interview process may contact the Human Resource office at 804-786-0150 or dfshumanresource@dfs.virginia.gov for additional information. Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

DFS does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Probationary Period: If you are a current Commonwealth of Virginia employee, this position requires a new 12-month probationary period be served.

Background Investigation: Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a background investigation to include a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Selected candidate(s) must provide a DNA sample via a buccal swab (saliva sample) and successfully pass a drug test. Reference checks will be conducted to include contact with current/previous supervisors.

Employment Eligibility Verification: DFS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: Tracey Kazelskis

Phone: 804-588-4000

Email: tracey.kazelskis@dfs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.