Crime Lab Forensic Scientist 3 - Forensic Biology Unit
Apply NowCompany: Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County
Location: Nashville, TN 37211
Description:
Salary: $77,082.64 - $90,572.11 Annually
Location : Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time Civil Service
Job Number: C221 FY22
Department: Metro Nashville Police Department
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
The Metro Nashville Police Department Crime Lab Forensic Scientist 3 - Forensic Biology Unit position shall be directly accountable to the MNPD Crime Laboratory Forensic Scientist Supervisor - Forensic Biology Unit for laboratory analyses and related duties.
****Must be willing and able to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as needed.
The Metro Nashville Police Department is a 24/7/365 operation. Whether you are a sworn or civilian employee, you will be responsible for the general welfare of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County. You will be responsible for ensuring optimum communications both within Metro and between Metro and the general public. If this environment sounds appealing and exciting, you may want to consider a job with Metro Nashville Police Department.
*Extensive Background Checks are performed on applicants for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Typical Duties
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelors' degree in a biology, chemistry, forensic science, or related area and shall have successfully completed 12 semester or equivalent credit hours from a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics or population genetics; and five (5) years of experience in Forensic Biology casework, including three (3) years as a qualified analyst on DNA forensic samples, in an accredited scientific laboratory.
****Transcripts required.****
***No Substitution***
LICENSE REQUIRED
Valid Driver License
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.
Metro offers a generous core benefit package to eligible employees who are regularly and consistently working 20 or more hours per week. Insurance and benefit coverage is effective the first of the month after the employee has worked 30 days. Employees can change their benefits within 60 days of an eligible change in status or during Annual Enrollment. Metro also offers optional benefits from which the employee may choose. Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs.
CORE BENEFITS
Medical: Choice of two plans; Metro pays 75% of premium
Dental: Choice of two plans; Metro pays for single coverage
Basic Life: $50,000 basic term life coverage; Metro pays 100% of premium
Pension*: Formula-driven pension; 100% Metro funded; 10 year vesting for new employees
Paid Family Leave: Runs concurrently with time designated as FMLA leave (up to 30 days)
Longevity: Annual bonus beginning after 5 years of service; increases annually up to 20 years
Work Life/ Employee Assistance Program: Wide variety of counseling, referral and consultation services provided free
Other**: In-line-of-duty injury benefits, AD&D insurance, and Medical Disability eligibility after 10 years with Metro
Paid leave: (Full-time employees)
**See the Human Resources webpage for more details and optional benefits at nashville.gov/hr
01
Do you have a valid Driver License?
02
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
03
What was your degree major or area of study? If no degree, type N/A.
04
Have you successfully completed 12 semester or equivalent credit hours from a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics or population genetics, and have you submitted transcripts with this application to verify completion?
05
How many years of experience in forensic biology casework do you have?
06
How many years have you been a qualified analyst on DNA forensic samples in an accredited scientific laboratory?
07
I am willing and able to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as needed.
08
Do you have knowledge of related laboratory instrumentation, computer software, calibration, validation, quality control, safety, accreditation, proficiency testing, and training?
09
Do you have knowledge of international forensic laboratory accreditation standards?
Required Question
Location : Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time Civil Service
Job Number: C221 FY22
Department: Metro Nashville Police Department
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 5/11/2025 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
The Metro Nashville Police Department Crime Lab Forensic Scientist 3 - Forensic Biology Unit position shall be directly accountable to the MNPD Crime Laboratory Forensic Scientist Supervisor - Forensic Biology Unit for laboratory analyses and related duties.
****Must be willing and able to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as needed.
The Metro Nashville Police Department is a 24/7/365 operation. Whether you are a sworn or civilian employee, you will be responsible for the general welfare of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County. You will be responsible for ensuring optimum communications both within Metro and between Metro and the general public. If this environment sounds appealing and exciting, you may want to consider a job with Metro Nashville Police Department.
*Extensive Background Checks are performed on applicants for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Typical Duties
- Performs chemical, microscopic, and immunological tests on physical evidence.
- Interprets and evaluates serological results and DNA data.
- Performs validations on new equipment and procedures.
- Conducts performance checks, recalibrations, and maintains records of laboratory equipment.
- Conducts quality control testing on reagents and supplies.
- Maintains technical forensic laboratory files and records of findings.
- Prepares analytical reports and effectively communicates results of analyses.
- Conducts technical and/or administrative reviews on scientific reports.
- Provides expert testimony in court based on laboratory findings.
- Maintains and demonstrates efficiency in the field of Serology/DNA.
- Acts as backup DNA Technical Leader.
- Assists with the training of forensic technicians and less experienced examiners under direction of supervisor.
- Ensures compliance with safety rules and regulations.
- Executes applicable operations of the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelors' degree in a biology, chemistry, forensic science, or related area and shall have successfully completed 12 semester or equivalent credit hours from a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics or population genetics; and five (5) years of experience in Forensic Biology casework, including three (3) years as a qualified analyst on DNA forensic samples, in an accredited scientific laboratory.
****Transcripts required.****
***No Substitution***
LICENSE REQUIRED
Valid Driver License
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Master's degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or related area
- Knowledge of and experience in using related laboratory instrumentation, computer software, calibration, validation, quality control, safety, accreditation, proficiency testing, and training
- Knowledge of international forensic laboratory accreditation standards
We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.
Metro offers a generous core benefit package to eligible employees who are regularly and consistently working 20 or more hours per week. Insurance and benefit coverage is effective the first of the month after the employee has worked 30 days. Employees can change their benefits within 60 days of an eligible change in status or during Annual Enrollment. Metro also offers optional benefits from which the employee may choose. Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs.
CORE BENEFITS
Medical: Choice of two plans; Metro pays 75% of premium
Dental: Choice of two plans; Metro pays for single coverage
Basic Life: $50,000 basic term life coverage; Metro pays 100% of premium
Pension*: Formula-driven pension; 100% Metro funded; 10 year vesting for new employees
Paid Family Leave: Runs concurrently with time designated as FMLA leave (up to 30 days)
Longevity: Annual bonus beginning after 5 years of service; increases annually up to 20 years
Work Life/ Employee Assistance Program: Wide variety of counseling, referral and consultation services provided free
Other**: In-line-of-duty injury benefits, AD&D insurance, and Medical Disability eligibility after 10 years with Metro
Paid leave: (Full-time employees)
- Vacation: 20 vacation days a year
- Holidays: 12 holidays per year (Courts may be different)
- Sick leave: 12 days of sick leave per year
- Personal leave: 3 days per year
- Other leaves: Judicial leave, military leave, bereavement leave
**See the Human Resources webpage for more details and optional benefits at nashville.gov/hr
01
Do you have a valid Driver License?
- Yes
- No
02
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- No diploma
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
03
What was your degree major or area of study? If no degree, type N/A.
04
Have you successfully completed 12 semester or equivalent credit hours from a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics or population genetics, and have you submitted transcripts with this application to verify completion?
- Yes
- No
05
How many years of experience in forensic biology casework do you have?
- No Experience
- One Year
- Two Years
- Three Years
- Four Years
- Five Years or More
06
How many years have you been a qualified analyst on DNA forensic samples in an accredited scientific laboratory?
- No Experience
- One Year
- Two Years
- Three Years or More
07
I am willing and able to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as needed.
- Yes
- No
08
Do you have knowledge of related laboratory instrumentation, computer software, calibration, validation, quality control, safety, accreditation, proficiency testing, and training?
- Yes
- No
09
Do you have knowledge of international forensic laboratory accreditation standards?
- Yes
- No
Required Question