STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


 

CLASSIFICATION:  CRIMINALIST V                  

 

Class Code:  2338-30                                             Date Established:  01-02-09

 

Occupational Code:  7-6-4                                     Date of Last Revision: 

 

BASIC PURPOSE:  To function as assistant director of the Division of State Police Forensic Laboratory, to supervise and coordinate groups of Criminalists assigned to the Laboratory, and to conduct scientific examinations and analyses on physiological specimens for criminal investigations and testify as subject matter expert in criminal trials.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·           Collects and preserves evidence from crime scenes and suspects.

·           Prepares and reviews detailed reports on scientific findings relative to laboratory analysis and examinations.

·           Trains and supervises subordinates in analysis, identification and comparison of various types of physical evidence.

·           Testifies in court as an expert witness as required.

·           Searches for sources of funding and writes grant applications to assure adequate monies and maintains compliance with grant parameters.

·           Supervises laboratory personnel in absence of Laboratory Director and oversees daily administrative functions concerning all Laboratory personnel for the Director as assigned.

·           Develops long and short term organizational goals and objectives in the area of forensic science, and evaluates their affect on statewide policies and procedures.

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

 

Skill:  Requires skill in evaluating, planning, or integrating analysis of data to formulate current and long-range solutions, strategies, or policies of a specialized or technical nature.

 

Knowledge:  Requires logical or scientific expertise to resolve problems of a specialized or professional nature in a wide range of applications.

 

Impact:  Requires responsibility for achieving major aspects of long-range agency objectives by planning short- and long-term organizational goals, reviewing recommendations for procedural changes, and developing or revising program policies.  Errors at this level result in incorrect decisions at an administrative level, and are detected subsequent to implementation in an overall evaluation process.

 

Supervision:  Requires direct supervision of programs or of employees doing work which differs from the supervisor, including disciplining employees, solving personnel problems, recommending hiring and firing employees, and developing work methods.  The supervisor in this position manages a working unit or section with responsibility for employee performance appraisal.

 

Working Conditions:  Requires performing regular job functions in an environment which includes exposure to continuous physical elements or a number of disagreeable working conditions with frequent exposure to minor injuries or health hazards.

 

Physical Demands:  Requires light work, including continuous walking or operating simple equipment for extended periods of time as well as occasional strenuous activities such as reaching or bending.

 

Communication:  Requires reviewing summaries and reports and making decisions to solve problems or to achieve work objectives as well as articulating and expressing those solutions and goals.  This level also requires formal presentations of solutions and goals to employees and the general public to increase the responsiveness of the agency toward the demands of its client system.

 

Complexity:  Requires formulating the combination of overall job functions in order to address highly diverse or novel situations requiring new concepts and imaginative approaches to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

 

Independent Action: Requires independent judgment in planning and evaluating work procedures and in supervising the development of professional, technical and managerial standards under administrative direction and according to broad departmental guidelines.

 

 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:  Possession of a Master’s degree from a recognized college or university with a major study in chemistry, biological sciences, computer science, photographic science, forensic science or closely related laboratory science.  Doctorate degree preferred.  Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

 

Experience:  Seven years’ experience in chemistry, biological sciences or forensic laboratory duties; three years of which shall have been at a supervisory level.  Certification in chemistry or toxicology by an approved accrediting agency may substitute for one of the required years of experience.

 

License/Certification:  Must be eligible to hold a NH driver’s license and have access to transportation for use in statewide travel.  Applicants must meet certification requirements of the FBI’s SWGDAM or ASCLD/LAB as a Technical Supervisor in one of the forensic disciplines.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to pass a security background check.

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:   Knowledge of the principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative organic and inorganic chemistry.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of physical comparative testing.  Knowledge of forensic laboratory equipment and material.  Knowledge of current developments in the field of forensic science.  Knowledge of fiscal and personnel management.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.  Knowledge of college level mathematics.  Skill in the use and care of laboratory equipment and materials.  Ability to report the results of laboratory tests clearly and concisely orally and in writing and to conduct administrative and technical reviews of staff reports and analyses.  Ability to communicate effectively with specialists in a variety of technical areas and with representatives of local, state and federal agencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental and local police, legal personnel and the general public.  Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:  This class specification is descriptive of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this class title.

 

 


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