Associate Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Connecticut

INTRODUCTION

The Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), has an exciting opportunity for the Deputy Director of Forensic Biology and DNA, within the Division of Scientific Services.

What We Can Offer You

Visit our NEW State Employee Benefits Overview page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance to all employees
The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Position Highlights

The Deputy Director manages the staff and operations of the DNA and forensic biology units; coordinates, plans, and oversees division activities; formulates program goals and objectives; collaborates on the formulation of DNA and forensic biology policies and procedures; maintains compliance with all policies and procedures of the laboratory, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Quality Assurance Standards (QAS), and the ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 Forensic Accreditation.

This is a full-time, on-site position (40 hours per week), scheduled Monday through Friday.

About us

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's (DESPP) Division of Scientific Services (DSS) provides unbiased forensic analysis for local, state and federal agencies.

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.

1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence
2. Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
3. Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve

4. Constantly seeking better results

5. Shared Fiscal Responsibility

6. Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
7. Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests

8. Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges

9. Ethics and Accountability

10. Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
11. Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
12. Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
13. Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

SELECTION PLAN

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
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).
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!
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.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
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.
* This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I9 information to confirm work authorization.

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.

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.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

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 Mackenzie Robinson at Mackenzie.Robinson@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class serves for directing the operations of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Forensic Biology units.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs staff and operations of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Forensic Biology units;
Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
Formulates program goals and objectives;
Formulates DNA and forensic biology policies and procedures;
Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
Evaluates staff;
Prepares the section budget;
Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
Maintains compliance with all policies and procedures of the laboratory: Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) or current laboratory accrediting body, International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC 17025), and Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM);
Maintains accreditation program and CODIS requirements;
Ensures all instruments and techniques validated according to QAS guidelines;
Researches new methodology and modifies existing technology;
Oversees grant administration;
Coordinates preparation for section annual audits;
Serves as division representative to Connecticut DNA Data Bank Panel;
Oversees comprehensive training system to provide requisite education and training as required by accrediting organizations;
Manages operational concepts with LEAN and Six SIGMA to improve quality of outputs in analytical processes;
Provides expert testimony;
Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of
+ and ability to apply management principles and practices;
+ relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and procedures;
+ theory, principles and practices in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis and interpretation;
+ collecting, examining and analyzing DNA and forensic biology evidence within a forensic laboratory environment;
+ accreditation standards;
+ quality management principles and process improvement techniques;
Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) computer software;
Considerable
+ interpersonal skills;
+ oral and written skills;
Considerable ability to create and implement research projects;
* Ability to interpret findings and defend results.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in forensic science or a closely related field and eight (8) years of professional experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material with significant experience in forensic biology and/or DNA.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity overseeing forensic biology and/or DNA activities of professional forensic science laboratory personnel.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Forensic Science Examiner 3.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience directing forensic biology and DNA laboratory operations, including oversight of casework activities, personnel, resource allocation, workflow management, and long-term strategic planning within an accredited forensic laboratory.
Experience administering and maintaining comprehensive quality assurance measures, including compliance with FBI DNA Quality Assurance Standards, CODIS requirements, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, and internal/external audit processes.
Experience supervising and developing professional forensic staff, including performance management, technical development and effective coordination of scientific and administrative operations.
Experience providing advanced scientific and technical leadership in forensic DNA analysis, including oversight of method validation, complex DNA interpretation, implementation of new technologies, and integration of laboratory best practices to improve accuracy and throughput.
* Experience with policy development and operational planning, including establishing standard operating procedures, managing resources, advising on strategic initiatives, driving organizational improvements, and contributing to long-term initiatives.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class are required to have successfully completed the FBI/QAS or ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) forensic auditor training or must complete the training within six (6) months of date of hire.
Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be conducted before persons are certified for appointment.