DNA TECHNICAL LEAD

LAS
VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

PERSONNEL
ACTION NOTICE #06-147

Schedule
51

 

Starting
Annual Salary $62,134 – $75,596

Annual
Salary $62,134 – $91,973

 

FILING
PERIOD

 

                        OPENING DATE:                Wednesday, May 17, 2006

                        CLOSING
DATE:               

Friday, August 18, 2006
at
4:00
p.m.

Or until a
sufficient number of applications are received

 

OPEN

 

JOB
OPPORTUNITY

To function as the technical
leader and be accountable for the technical operations of the Biology/
DNA Detail of the Forensic Laboratory, which includes monitoring, coaching,
and training of staff and providing input into the performance evaluation
process; performs mandatory technical reviews of cases; provides scientific
consultation; completes advanced research; performs biology/
DNA analyses on physical evidence; interprets test results and forms
conclusions; prepares reports; and testifies as an expert witness.

 

The eligibility list
established from this recruitment will be in effect for 18 months.

 

 

MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
                      A class specification is available upon request

 

Experience:
               
Five years of professional forensic DNA laboratory work experience, including the identification and evaluation
of biological evidence in criminal matters. Experience testifying as an expert
witness in courts of law is preferred. Successful completion of the
DNA Auditing Workshop sponsored by the FBI is also preferred.

 

Training:                      Master’s
or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Chemistry,
or Forensic Science related area and a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate
and undergraduate course work in the areas of Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular
Biology, and Statistics and/or Populations Genetics.

 

In
addition to the education requirements above, must meet the standards for
technical leader as established in the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic
DNA Testing Laboratories; and Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories issued by the FBI Director or a waiver from the
American Society of Crime Laboratory directors or other organizations
designated by the Director of

the
FBI. Successful completion of a documented training program in forensic
DNA analysis and the forensic identification of biological substances
and/or demonstration of competency is required. Compliance with all training
and educational requirements must be demonstrated through appropriate
documentation.

 

U.S.
Citizenship:
         Must be a U.S. citizen or have U.S. permanent residency at time of application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other:                          The
LVMPD operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Any employee may be required
to work any hours, days, or shift, including holidays and weekends. This is a
condition of employment without exception.

 

Members
of the Department shall be neat and clean in their appearance in public,
whether in or out of uniform. Therefore, candidates with visible tattoos,
branding, and/or body piercing in areas of the body which cannot be covered by
a long sleeved shirt and pants will be disqualified from testing for either
commissioned or civilian positions with the LVMPD.

 

BEST CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

The Best Candidate will have
at least one year of experience operating as a technical leader in a forensic
DNA laboratory; will meet the educational and experience standards for the
technical leader as established in The Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic
DNA Testing Laboratories and Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories Issued by the FBI Director. This includes a
graduate degree in biology, chemistry or a forensic science related area and a
minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate and undergraduate course work covering
the subject areas of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics
and/or population genetics.

 

The Best Candidate will also
have five years experience in the
DNA analysis of casework samples including the evaluation, screening,
extraction and analysis of a variety of evidentiary substrates and biological
sources; knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations governing a forensic
DNA lab as defined in the FBI Quality Assurance Audit
for Forensic
DNA Testing Laboratories and Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories Document; proficiency in DNA analysis, specifically in STR analysis using an ABI platform
(310 and/or 3100); rendered expert testimony in relation to
DNA analysis; knowledge

of computer hardware and
software used in a
DNA laboratory to include ABI GeneMapper ID; familiarity with the ASCLD/LAB accreditation program; knowledge of standard sources of information and
current literature in the field of forensic
DNA analysis; experience in providing DNA technical training to analysts in a laboratory setting and general
forensic training to law enforcement personnel and attorneys.

 

INQUIRIES

If you have any questions
regarding this position or the selection process please contact Laura Sherwood,
Analyst, at (702)229-3995, or Lori Aiken, Personnel Technician, at
(702)
229-3979
.

 

FILING INFORMATION

Outside Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and wishing to apply
may do so by submitting one of two Application Packets:


Application Packet Option 1:

Visit
www.lvmpd.com
and submit an On-line Application which
includes a Supplemental Application.

 


Application Packet Option 2:

May
obtain an LVMPD Employment Application and Supplemental Application from the
LVMPD Personnel Bureau, 101 Convention Center Drive, Suite P-200, between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday;
(702)
229-3497
. Application Packets will be mailed to out-of-state
applicants.

 

Qualified Full-Time LVMPD Employees wishing to apply must do so by submitting an
Application Packet consisting of the following:

 


Employee Application Packet:

Request
to Compete (LVMPD Form 36)along with a Supplemental
Application, which can be emailed upon request.

 

Submitted
Application Packets
MUST be returned to the Personnel Bureau before 4:00 p.m.,Thursday, July 6, 2006.  Resumes
will
not be accepted
in lieu of a completed Application Packet.
Do not attach supporting documentation to your Application
Packet. Late Application Packets will not be accepted.

 

Per
Civil Service Rule 320.2(J), employees currently serving
an initial probationary period with the department as a Police or Corrections
Recruit, a Police or Corrections Officer, or a civilian classification that is
filled open competitively and requires the completion of an academy, are not
eligible to apply.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING
PARAGRAPH CAREFULLY

The information provided on the LVMPD
Employment Application or Request to Compete along with the Supplemental
Application will be used to determine whether or not each candidate meets the
minimum qualifications for this position. Therefore, it is CRITICAL that each
candidate provide complete, accurate, and detailed information on
his/her LVMPD Employment Application , Request to
Compete and Supplemental Application. Failure to do so,
may result in the determination that the candidate does not possess the
required experience and training and therefore, will not participate in
the selection process.

 

LVMPD LATE POLICY

Submitted
Application Packets must be received in the LVMPD Personnel Bureau before
4:00 p.m. on the closing date. Any applicant or employee
turning in a late Application Packet will not be permitted to continue in the
selection process for this position.

 

CANDIDATES ARE
REQUIRED TO REPORT FOR EACH SCHEDULED TEST PROCESS A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES
EARLY.  FAILURE TO REPORT BY THE
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TIME WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE TEST PROCESS.

 

PROOF OF
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Civil
Service Rule 340.9 states the following: “Two Veteran’s Preference points shall
be given only on open competitive examinations and only after a final passing
grade, as defined elsewhere in these rules, is attained after the completion of
the selection procedure for the position. Veteran’s points may be used only one
time by any individual.”

 

In order to determine eligibility for
Veteran’s Preference Points, candidates are required to submit a DD214 or
Statement of Service at the time of their scheduled Oral Board Exam
. Any documentation obtained from the Internet and
submitted for proof of veteran’s preference points will not be accepted.
Candidates may be eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points if:

1)         They have obtained an honorable
discharge from the Armed Forces and have served at least 181 days of active
duty.

                C          If you
have been discharged from the Armed Forces you must obtain a DD214 that
reflects at least
181 days of active
duty
and states an honorable
discharge (
BOX #24.); OR

2)         They are currently in the Armed Forces,
are a member in good standing, and have served at least 181 days of active
duty.

                C          If you are currently in the Armed Forces you must be a member in
good standing
. You must obtain a
Statement of Service that reflects at least
181 days of active duty and states your character of service is honorable and
that you have no adverse action pending
.

 

SELECTION PROCESS

Due to security reasons, personal
belongings permitted in the testing facility will be limited. Items such as:
large backpacks, briefcases, duffle bags or similar items will NOT be allowed.
Those items permissible will be left to the discretion of the LVMPD employees
administering the exam and may be subject to a search
. No cell phones, beepers, PDAs or other
electronic devices will be allowed in the testing facility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candidates
will be required to present
photo identification when participating in all phases of the selection
process. The selection process will further consist of the following:

 

APPLICATION PACKET SCREENING

Each
Application Packet will be reviewed to determine the
TOP candidates possessing the education, training, and
experience most closely related to that described in the “Best Candidates Will
Have” section. These
TOP candidates will be invited to participate in the remainder of the
testing process set forth below. Candidates will be contacted by the Personnel
Bureau regarding the results of the screening process at the close of the
filing period and will be given exact dates and times for each selection
process.

 

 

PRACTICAL
EXAMINATION (weighted 40%)

Candidates
that have been selected as
TOP candidate, will be notified of the exact date and time of the practical exam.
Candidates must meet minimum competency or better in each area listed below to
pass the practical exam. The practical exam will measure:

 

I.          DNA Lead
Technical Knowledge
, including:

                       Knowledge
of theory and application of Genetics, Molecular Biology and Chemistry;

           Knowledge
of statistical and population genetics as they relate to Forensic Serology and
DNA analysis;

                       Knowledge
of forensic
DNA principles;

                      Knowledge
of laboratory techniques and technology;

                      Knowledge
of Polymerase Chain Reaction (
PCR) and Short
Tandem Repeat (
STR) analysis;

                      Knowledge
of capillary electrophoresis methods;

                      Knowledge
of forensic computer software applications; and

                      Knowledge
of standards associated with the American Society of Crime Laboratory
Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/
LAB) accreditation program.

 

II.         Lead Worker
Abilities,
including:

                      Ability
to work independently in the absence of supervision.

 

III.        Written Communication Skills, including:

                      Ability
to communicate effectively in writing; and

                      Ability
to prepare clear and concise technical and analytical reports, correspondence
and memoranda.

 

ORAL
BOARD EXAMINATION (weighted 60%)

Those
candidates passing the practical examination will be invited to participate in
the oral board exam. Candidates will be notified of the exact date and time of
their oral board exam. Candidates must meet minimum competency or above in each
area listed below to pass the oral board examination. The oral board exam will
measure:

 

I.          Background/Personal
Impact
, including:

                      Candidate’s
specialized training, education and experience as it relates to the position;

                      Candidate’s
preparedness for this position;

                      Ability
to demonstrate those characteristics consistent with Department values and
demonstrate professionalism, compassion and empathy;

                      Ability
to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted
in the course of work; and

                      Ability
to demonstrate initiative, motivation and dependability.

 

 

 

II.         DNA Lead
Technical Knowledge
, including:

                      Knowledge
of theory and application of Genetics, Molecular Biology and Chemistry;

                      Knowledge
of forensic
DNA principles;

                      Knowledge
of Polymerase Chain Reaction (
PCR) and Short
Tandem Repeat (
STR) analysis;

                       Knowledge
of laboratory safety procedures, including those associated with the handling
of biohazardous materials;

                      Knowledge
of The Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic
DNA Testing Laboratories and Convicted Offender DNA Databasing Laboratories issued by the FBI Director; and

                      Knowledge
of current trends in Forensic Serology and
DNA.

 

III.        Lead Worker Abilities, including:

                      Ability
to functionally supervise the technical operations of a forensic
DNA laboratory;

                      Ability
to review and evaluate new and existing information and analytical techniques
for implementation into laboratory protocol; and

                      Ability
to provide training to Forensic Scientists, other Department personnel, law
enforcement personnel, and attorneys, as needed.

 

IV.        Verbal
Communication
, including:

                      Ability
to communicate clearly and concisely orally.

 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION PROCESSES

Candidates
who successfully pass the above selection procedures will undergo a thorough
background investigation, which may include a polygraph, psychological
evaluation and/or medical exam and must meet the LVMPD Hiring Standards. LVMPD
employees participate in the Department’s random drug screening process.

 

PERSONNEL BUREAU – DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

The
LVMPD Personnel Bureau is located at
101 E. Convention Center Drive, Suite P-200. This is located between Las Vegas Boulevard and Paradise Road. DO NOT park in the shopping center parking lot on
the north side of
Convention Center Drive.
Unfortunately, your car will be towed from this area. Limited parking is
available in the garage located beneath our building which can be accessed from
Convention
Center Drive
.
The charge is currently .75 cents per ½ hour. This fee is your responsibility.
We are also located near several large casino/resorts which may provide
parking. It is your responsibility to abide by any parking and/or validation
requirements posted at any of these casino/resorts.

 

BILL YOUNG, SHERIFF

 

By:       LYNNE JANTZ

            DIRECTOR OF SELECTION &
CLASSIFICATION

            PERSONNEL BUREAU

 

BY:LJ

 

 

The
vision of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is to provide the best
public safety and service in partnership with our community. The mission of the
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is to protect people, property, and
rights in our community. 

 

The
LVMPD is an equal opportunity employer. All appointments to the competitive
service shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age,
disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or political affiliation, and
shall be based on merit and fitness only. The LVMPD is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

 

Return to
Employment Opportunities

Return to Home Page