You must submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application. (See “How to Apply.”)

TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

NUMBER  2011-044

ISSUED June 15, 2011

 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Civil Service Commission

 

Examination

 

for

 

FORENSIC SCIENTIST TRAINEES

 

Exam

Nos.

 

Job Titles

Job

Codes

Pay Schedules

and Ranges

1.

Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee

72055

ST06

2.

Forensic Scientist Trainee

72061

ST06

 

When completing your application, please make sure you apply for all job titles for which you want to be tested.  You will NOT be permitted to add job titles after you test.

 

If you successfully complete the 12 month training period, you will be promoted to Forensic DNA Scientist 1 or a Forensic Scientist 1 with an increase in salary.

 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 

VETERANS:  Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website www.scsc.state.pa.us; visit one of our offices; or call our veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

This is entry-level work in the chemical, biological and/or physical analysis of criminal evidence.

 

Forensic DNA Scientist Trainees participate in structured training to develop proficiency in performing chemical and biological analysis and comparison of forensic human Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and evidence gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. 

 

Forensic Scientist Trainees participate in structured training to develop proficiency in performing chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of evidence, such as, blood or other body fluids, hair and tissue samples, fibers, narcotics, poisons, and other materials such as paint and glass fragments, gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. 

 

Work for both titles involves using a variety of techniques and instruments.  You will also participate in mock trials and receive instruction to establish the necessary basis for eventual qualification as an expert witness in court.  Work assignments are performed under the close supervision of a professional scientist.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

You will be tested before your qualifications are reviewed.  Your test results will count only if you meet all job requirements.  If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission's offices listed at the end of this announcement.

 

You must be willing to travel.  Travel expenses will be paid.

 

You must be a Pennsylvania resident, of good moral character and able to perform the essential functions of the job.

 

You must pass a background investigation. 

 

Upon conditional offer of employment, the State Police Medical Officer will review and determine how any medications prescribed to you may impact your ability to carry out the critical duties of the position.

 

If you are ultimately employed in the crime laboratory and will be performing DNA or serology casework, you will be required to provide two samples of your DNA taken by buccal swab.  The stored information is used as a component of the PSP DNA Section’s quality assurance program to help identify and exclude your DNA profile from any DNA profiles generated from casework.

 

Minimum Requirements

 

72055 - A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry and three credits each in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.

 

72061 - A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

Forensic scientist positions exist in seven regional forensic laboratories: Bethlehem ( Northampton County), Erie (Erie County), Greensburg (Westmoreland County), Harrisburg (Dauphin County), Lima (Delaware County) and Wyoming (Luzerne County).  Forensic DNA scientist positions exist in the Greensburg DNA laboratory only.    

 

Approximately 10 appointments are made annually from the lists established by this examination.  

 

For the most recent information on job opportunities contact the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Human Resources, 3rd Floor, 1800 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania  17110; telephone (717) 787-7125.

 

TESTING

 

The test will be administered on a computer.  Information about computerized testing is available online at www.scsc.state.pa.us OR in paper form at any State Civil Service Commission office. 

 

You will have a maximum of 3 hours to complete the test which will cover the following subject areas:

 

Subject Areas

Number of Questions

 

72055

72061

Basic Concepts of Chemistry

25

25

Basic Concepts of Biology

15

15

Basic Laboratory Equipment, Materials and Procedures

15

15

Reading Comprehension

10

10

Effective Working Relationships

10

10

Written Communication Ability

10

10

Principles and Practices of Molecular Biology, Genetics

  and Biochemistry (Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee only)

20

 

 

Total

105

85

 

The test will be administered in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh State Civil Service Commission offices, Monday through Friday.

 

The test also will be held approximately 10 days a month at additional test centers located in Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.  For further details on test dates, contact the Commission’s Information Services Unit; Telephone (Voice) (717) 787-7811, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 783-8896. 

 

If you take the test and want to take it again, you may be retested after 6 months from the date of your test.  You must submit a new application to be retested.

 

If your name is on an eligible list for these job titles and you take this test, your most recent examination result will be the only one counted.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

Employment and promotion lists will be established.  You will be notified in writing of your test results.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Apply online at www.scsc.state.pa.us or submit your completed paper application to:

 

State Civil Service Commission

ATTN:  Applications

P.O. Box 569

Harrisburg, PA  17108-0569

 

Online and paper applications both require submission of a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  Enter your name and Social Security Number at the top of the transcripts.  Send by e-mail to RA-cs-transcripts@state.pa.us or fax to (717) 787-8650 or mail to the above address.

 

Applications and further information can be obtained from:

 

1.

State Civil Service Commission:

 

 

 

Harrisburg:  2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O.

 

Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text

 

Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685

 

 

 

Philadelphia:  110 North 8th St., Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone

 

(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (215) 560-4367

 

 

 

Pittsburgh:  411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219; Telephone

 

(Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

 

callers only) (412) 565-2484

 

 

 

Internet:  www.scsc.state.pa.us

 

 

2.

PA CareerLink offices

 

 

3.

The Human Resources Office listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section of this announcement

 

For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion."