Forensic Technician I

Position Purpose:

The FT I is responsible for assisting the Evidence Manager with laboratory-related evidence handling duties as needed, and for performing cuttings of forensic casework while complying with client and company requirements. Work in a team setting to process high quality casework in a timely and efficient manner with minimal errors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete assigned work according to established SOPs, coordinate with other analysts on progress and respond quickly to changing assignments due to changing priorities in casework.
• Perform cuttings (e.g., swabs, FTA cards, swabs of liquid blood) on assigned casework samples with diverse matrices using all validated methods.
• Make sound scientific decisions with regard to sample designations based on case scenarios, project guidelines, and SOPs.
• Complete assignments within the designated timeframe and demonstrate effective personal time management in general.
• Organize activities to which they have been assigned in order to maximize efficiency, and alert management when technical or schedule problems arise.
• Respond to inquiries orally and in writing, including those internally and from clients
• Provide testimony in a court of law, must be able to travel by air
• Perform lab work wearing appropriate PPE, and practice good contamination control techniques.
• Ensure that chain of custody documentation is complete and accurate.
• Adhere to quality assurance practices.
• Perform lab decontamination tasks.
  Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Incumbent must meet the serologist requirements specified by the Texas
  Version 2 May 2023 Forensic Science Commission regarding education and experience.
• Read, write, and communicate fluently in English.
• Possess sound reasoning skills and regularly show ability to follow detailed standard instructions, with great attention to detail and guidance from company policy manuals and forensic SOPs.
• Possess a working knowledge of Microsoft Office; specifically, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. Ability to learn then successfully navigate STACS-CW tracking software.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Travel via airline for testimony as needed.
• Prepare for and provide testimony as needed for court including thorough review of the casefile as appropriate.

Education/Experience:

Incumbent must meet the forensic technician requirements specified by the Texas Forensic Science Commission regarding education and experience. Possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a technical or scientific discipline; however, relevant work experience may be substituted. May have little or no prior work experience.

Certificates and Licenses:

Must be willing and eligible to obtain required State License for Forensic Technician as specified by the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

Clearance:

None

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Working Conditions/ Equipment:

Must work in a laboratory environment that requires wearing PPE and standing for extended periods of time. Required to enter data and write reports by typing on a computer. Will have potential contact with hazardous materials, including biological fluids and must be able to lift up to 20 pounds without assistance and 40 pounds with assistance to handle evidence.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.