<p>Introduction</p> <p>Are you seeking career growth with the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!</p> <p>The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for a Connecticut Careers Trainee vacancy with a target class of Forensic Science Examiner 1 to join our team at the Division of Scientific Services located in Meriden, Connecticut.</p> <p>WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU</p> <ul> <li>Visit our NEW State Employee Benefits Overview page! </li><li>Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers. </li><li>Professional growth and development opportunities. </li><li>A healthy work/life balance to all employees. </li></ul> <p>Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.</p> <p>POSITION HIGHLIGHTS</p> <p>As a general recruitment, the Connecticut Careers Trainee will be recruited to work within the Identification Section in which is comprised of the Firearms/Toolmarks, Latent Prints/AFIS, Digital Forensic Unit, Multimedia and Image Enhancement, CGIC Intelligence and Lottery units.</p> <p>The Connecticut Careers Trainee program consists of a 2-year training program for those with a bachelor's degree listed in the minimum qualifications below. Those with a master's degree in a related field will participate in a 1-year training program.</p> <p>Note: Incumbents in this class may be required to travel to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Maryland to participate in external training following onboarding.</p> <p>In this role, you will conduct full-process examinations while working alongside lab professionals, forensic science examiners and will collaborate with law enforcement partners as needed. Training will include:</p> <ul> <li>Taking photographs of submitted evidence including firearms, ammunition, bullet and cartridge components; </li><li>Rendering firearms safe, unloading of firearms which may be comprised, unsafe or unfamiliar to other laboratory personnel; </li><li>Examining firearms for structural safety and condition before test firing; </li><li>Test firing firearms in water tank, cotton box, or at indoor or outdoor range; </li><li>Utilizing the NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) database and its acquisition unit along with other triage tools to establish links between crimes scenes for cartridge case evidence; </li><li>Utilizing comparison microscopes including virtual microscopes conduct comparisons of bullet or cartridges case evidence to each other and to test fired specimens from suspected firearms. </li><li>Recording of photographic evidence supporting comparison results for documentation and court display purposes; and </li><li>Perform related duties as requested. </li></ul> <p>This position is full-time on first shift, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and onsite.</p> <p>More details can be found in the class speci?cation here and the EXAMPLES OF DUTIES section below.</p> <p>ABOUT US</p> <p>DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.</p> <ol> <li> <p>Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence • Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data • Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct-i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve • Constantly seeking better results</p> </li><li> <p>Shared Fiscal Responsibility • Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources • Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests • Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges</p> </li><li> <p>Ethics and Accountability • Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies • Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement • Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments • Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways</p> </li></ol> <p>The Division of Scientific Services provides forensic support to local, state and federal agencies throughout Connecticut. This division is divided into three analytical sections. They are the Chemical Analysis section (including toxicology, controlled substances, and chemistry), the Forensic Biology/DNA section, and the Identification section (including computer crimes).</p> <p>The laboratory also has two non-analytical sections which include: the Quality section and the Laboratory Support Services section (including administration, evidence receiving, and case management).</p> <p>Selection Plan</p> <p>FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:</p> <p>Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.</p> <p>BEFORE YOU APPLY:</p> <ul> <li>Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. </li><li>Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below. </li><li>Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. </li><li>Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. </li><li>Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. </li><li>Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. </li><li>Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. </li></ul> <p>AFTER YOU APPLY:</p> <ul> <li>Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). </li><li>Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! </li><li>Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks. </li><li>The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. </li><li>Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. </li></ul> <p>DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION:</p> <p>Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:</p> <p>State Employees</p> <ul> <li>Two (2) most recent performance evaluations </li><li>Completed CT-HR-13 </li><li>Cover letter </li><li>A copy of your unofficial transcript(s) </li></ul> <p>Non-State Employees</p> <ul> <li>Two (2) professional reference contact information including name, email, and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor) </li><li>Completed CT-HR-13 </li><li>Cover letter </li><li>A copy of your unofficial transcript(s) </li></ul> <p>Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.</p> <p>Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.</p> <p>QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:</p> <p>Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@CT.Gov.</p> <p>Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!</p> <p>PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)</p> <p>In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.</p> <p>EXAMPLES OF DUTIES</p> <ul> <li>In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions; </li><li>Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period; </li><li>Performs related duties as required. </li></ul> <p>KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY</p> <ul> <li>Oral and written communication skills; </li><li>Ability to </li><li>acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification; </li><li>understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic; </li><li>read, interpret and understand written material; </li><li>perform basic arithmetical computations; </li><li>interpret charts, graphs and tables; </li><li>learn and reason; </li><li>establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public; </li><li>utilize computer software. </li></ul> <p>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.</p> <p>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS</p> <ul> <li>Experience working with confidential or privileged information including names, dates of birth, </li><li>address, personal financial information, medical records or test results; </li><li>Experience conducting forensic evidence screening; </li><li>Experience working on research assignments including the testing of equipment or software; </li><li>Experience working with the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) database; </li><li>Experiencing in using microscopes including comparison microscopes and stereomicroscopes. </li></ul> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER</p> <p>The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.</p> <p>ACKNOWLEDGEMENT</p> <p>As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.</p>