Forensic Scientist I: Validation-QC Unit

The DNA Technician in the Quality Management Section at AFDIL assists in program maintenance and development at the direction of their Validation & Quality Control Manager.  The DNA Technician may perform investigative studies on biological materials using DNA typing technologies; carry out DNA typing casework in support of routine casework and special projects; and support the logistical or resource management activities of the DNA Registry and will participate in the organization and presentation of educational activities. 

Responsibilities may include:

• Assist in the expansion of the AFDIL technical program to accelerate service work capabilities, which may include the setup and make operationally ready a wide variety of laboratory instruments and equipment
• Assist in quality assurance activities such as standards maintenance, equipment preventive maintenance, reagent quality control testing and validation, proficiency testing, and accreditation and certification.
• Perform laboratory processing using the AFDIL most current forensically validated and accredited procedures on various tissue and fluid.
• Prepare reagents and maintain documentation of reagent prep and Quality Control testing in accordance with AFDIL SOPs.
• Perform laboratory house-keeping activities such as preparing common laboratory reagents, maintaining appropriate stock levels of expendable supplies, ordering reagents/supplies when needed, recording temperatures, monitoring laboratory equipment, and general cleaning duties within the laboratory.
• Maintain accurate and complete chain of custody for evidence.
• Accession of forensic evidence in the Laboratory Information Management System (LISA); maintain accurate and complete chain of custody for evidence; responsible for data entry into LISA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiners Tracking System (AFMETS); preparation of correspondence/documents ensuring proper format, mathematical correctness, grammar, punctuation, and spelling; and preparation & editing of recurring reports regarding case status and case tracking.
• Assist in developing, optimizing and/or validating new forensic DNA test methods.
• Prepare correspondence and/or documents ensuring proper format, mathematical correctness, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Assist with internal and external audit preparation and participation.
• Perform service casework involving nucDNA and mtDNA quantification, typing and profiling procedures as required.
• Self-direct workflow to ensure that all duties are completed weekly.
• Generate documents and reports and assist other sections as deemed necessary by supervisor.
• Maintain Privacy Act considerations at all times in the handling of specimens and the information contained within them.
• Support validation projects focusing on systems with increased sensitivity and discrimination power and advanced development of automated systems.
• Support research projects focusing on various research projects to include population databasing and working to increase sensitivity, discrimination power, and automated systems for casework applications.
• Participate in completing required work as stated within Individual Training Plans (ITPs) to be signed off for performing laboratory procedures and data analysis.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in forensic science or one of the natural sciences.
• Must successfully complete a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I) background investigation. The position does not require a security clearance, but the individual may be required to obtain a government security clearance at a future date if handling classified information or materials. Note: US Citizenship is required to obtain a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I) background investigation.
• General knowledge of forensic DNA analytical methods, especially nucDNA and mtDNA profiling.
• Ability to maintain minimum standards of technical proficiency as demonstrated by acceptable performance by internal and external proficiency testing programs
• Must be self-motivated, detail oriented, and able to work well in a team laboratory environment.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• A resume and a copy of unofficial transcripts must be submitted.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language at EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans and Labor Laws Posters.