Forensic scientist Jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Salary : $75,949.18 - $113,923.76 Annually

Location : Downtown Minneapolis

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25SHRF743FM003

Department : Sheriff's Office

Division : Forensic Sciences

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 10 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Description

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office's is seeking Sheriff's Forensic Scientist Lead, DNA Lead, Firearms Lead, Latent Print Lead, Database Administrator(s) Lead, Assistance QA Manager, and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Lead for its Forensic Science Laboratory. The Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory is an ANAB ISO / IEC 17025 accredited forensic testing laboratory that provides forensic services to 36 law enforcement agencies, the Minnesota State Patrol, and multiple federal law enforcement agencies.

All Forensic Science Laboratory personnel are required to have a buccal sample collected for the purpose of generating a DNA profile to be included in the laboratory DNA contamination database.

Location and hours :

These positions are at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory located at 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 in downtown Minneapolis. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. Based on current requirements hires must live in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

About these positions type :

These are full-time, benefit earning positions. You must be a current regular or probationary employee of Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to apply for these positions. Limited duration employees not eligible.

This position is internally classified as a Sheriff's Forensic Scientist, Lead.

Click here to view the job classification specification.

In these positions, you will :

• Provide daily technical work direction to staff within an assigned section of the forensic scientific laboratory.
• Lead the technical or database operations of a forensic laboratory section within a specific discipline or functional area (i.e. DNA, latent prints, firearms, Assistant Quality Assurance Manager, CODIS, NIBIN, ABIS or LIMS).
• Manage the quality of the casework, product, and laboratory data within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and section specific database integrity to ensure compliance with laboratory accreditation.
• Ensure methods, protocols, and operational procedures used by the functional area are scientifically sound, meet FBI QAS requirements, AFT / NIBIN requirements, or MN BCA ABIS requirements.
• Serve as the laboratory's liaison with the State of Minnesota and / or federal subject matter experts within the respective section.
• Manage corrective actions and non-conformances for the section(s) including suspending work if needed.
• Administer the section's training program, monitor the performance of the section(s), lead section specific internal and external quality assurance audits, and prepare records of compliance.
• Document processes and procedures; prepare and maintain section specific records, equipment logs and / or calibrations, and statistics.
• Review and approve training records prior to casework authorization and equipment use.

Need to have :

Six years or more of experience as an examiner / scientist in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Nice to have :

Designing, executing, and implementing validations of new forensic methods or technology.

Principles and practices of microscopy, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physics or biology (or related scientific discipline) and mathematics as they apply to an area of forensic expertise.

Examine physical evidence using analytical instruments and forensic science techniques in a specialty area of forensic science.

About the department : The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office serves the county's 1.2 million residents. State law mandates most of the sheriff's office duties, including managing the county jail, providing security to the district court, and patrolling the waterways in the county.

The Sheriff's Office also runs specialized initiatives like Criminal Information Sharing and Analysis (CISA), Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Investigation, Community Outreach and Employee Wellness. The mission of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is : Providing quality professional services while building meaningful relationships that are sustainable within our communities, and with our partners, to ensure justice and safety for all.

About Hennepin County :

Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that reduce disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.

Our employees receive a combination of competitive benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at (login as Guest).

Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.

Your future. Made here.

This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.

Watch this video for application best practices and tips.

Invitations to interview will be based on an assessment of education and experience. Applicants must have no felony convictions and must successfully complete an extensive background investigation that includes criminal, employment and financial checks, psychological assessment and drug testing during the six-month probationary period.

If you have any questions, please contact :

Fahad Mansoor

hcpromo

Why work here?

Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including :

Public service

Competitive pay

Work-life balance

Generous benefits

Opportunities to grow

Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.

Visit our benefits page to learn more : bridge.hennepin.us / eligibility.

If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation / Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and / or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found

Are you a current regular or probationary employee of Hennepin County Sheriff's Office? Limited duration employees not eligible.

This position is located at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory located at 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 in downtown Minneapolis. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. Based on current requirements hires must live in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?

In which of the following fields have you earned a degree? Check all that apply.

What is the highest degree you have earned in the field(s) you indicated above?

Describe your relevant education, referencing to area(s) of study, school(s) attended and credits / certificate(s) / degree(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.

Select which Forensic Scientist - Lead position(s) you are applying for : Check all that apply.

How many years of experience do you have as an examiner / scientist in an accredited forensic laboratory.

Describe your experience as an examiner / scientist in an accredited forensic laboratory, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.

In which of the following areas of discipline do you have one or more years of experience in? Check all that apply.

How many years of experience do you have performing firearms analysis in a forensic science laboratory environment?

Describe your relevant experience performing firearm analysis in forensic science laboratory environment, referencing jobs listed on your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.

How many years of experience do you have performing DNA analysis in a forensic science laboratory environment?

Describe your relevant experience performing DNA analysis in forensic science laboratory environment, referencing jobs listed on your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.

Do you have any experience designing, executing, and implementing validations of new forensic methods or technology?

Describe your experience in designing, executing, and implementing validations of new forensic methods or technology, referencing jobs listed on your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.

Do you have experience presenting forensic evidence in court?

Describe your experience presenting evidence in court, referencing jobs listed in your application / resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.

If you are a disabled veteran (defined as having a permanent, service connected disability rated at 50% or more), the spouse, or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, and are applying for your first promotion after securing public employment, you are eligible to have five points added to your competitive promotional examination rating. Are you a disabled veteran (defined as having a permanent, service connected disability rated at 50% or more), the spouse, or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran that would like to use your one time, five-point preference?

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