FORENSIC SCIENTIST

Position Number: 22090776 
County: Pulaski 
Posting End Date: 10/14/2024 
Anticipated Starting Salary: 45010 
 
 

The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to enhance the safety and security of all Arkansans through ethical, character-driven behavior that promotes professionalism, clear communication, and accountability while serving as the state’s premier public safety agency.

This position is Safety Sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, random, and for-cause drug screenings.

If you are requesting veteran’s preference, please include your DD214.

Overview: 

The medical examiner’s section of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory is seeking an experienced leader for our investigative team.  The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the role death investigators play in determining the circumstances surrounding a death needed to ascertain cause and manner of death.  The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership skills with experience in team management, logistics, and organization. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Oversee and manage medicolegal death investigation.
2. Distribute the caseload among death investigation staff and direct scheduling for an office staffed seven days a week. 
3. Work with forensic pathologists to determine which reported cases should be submitted to the Medical Examiner’s office for examination. 
4. Dispatch transportation and keep detailed records regarding contract transportation, including invoice approval.
5. Work with coroners and law enforcement officers to provide ongoing education regarding medicolegal death investigation.
6. Ensure policies and procedures are followed and participate, when necessary, in disciplinary actions in consultation with the Chief Medical Examiner and/or Deputy Chief Medical Examiner and Deputy Director.
7. Participate in and supervise new hire training.
8. Manage and participate in coroner education regarding case submission guidelines and procedures.
9. Generate reports regarding case submission and work distribution.
10. Keep detailed records of unidentified remains and assist with identification.
11. Maintain collegial and regular communication with other sections of the medical examiner’s office and departments of the Arkansas State Crime Lab.

Requirements:

1. The Chief FI should have management experience and at least five years of experience in death investigation, law enforcement, or a related medical field.
2. The Chief FI is expected to hold a basic certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI), or to achieve such certification within a year of hire. The Chief FI will be required to obtain continuing education and maintain ABMDI certification.
3. The Chief FI must obtain advanced certification by the ABMDI within two years after achieving basic certification.
4. The Chief FI is required to successfully complete basic supervisory training provided to state employees.
5. The Chief FI is required to have a good driving record with no prior DUI/DWI conviction within the past three years.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.