DescriptionThe Quality Control/Validation (QC/VAL) section has the primary mission to support all casework sections performing human remains identification and family reference processing through DNA testing of specimens recovered from past military conflicts and current day operations supporting the AFMES and the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). The section maintains capabilities in DNA profiling technologies utilizing mitochondrial DNA, autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (auSTRs), Y-Chromosomal (YSTRs), and next generation sequencing using single nucleotide repeats (SNPs).
The Forensic Scientist 3-Supervisory DNA Analyst directs scientists using mitochondrial DNA sequencing (both Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing) and nuclear DNA typing (autosomal- & Y-STRs) methods in support of mission requirements.
***This is a 100% onsite position in Dover, DE
Critical Work Responsibilities include:
- Assists in the expansion of the AFDIL technical program to accelerate service work capabilities which may include the following:
- Set up and make operationally ready a wide variety of laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Write, review, and edit experimental protocols, standard operating procedures and operating instructions for projects of experimental programs, quality control procedures and general laboratory management operations.
- Conduct inspections and provide oversight to the adherence to established quality assurance activities including maintenance of standards and controls, preventive maintenance and equipment calibration, reagent testing and validation, and proficiency testing programs for accreditation or certification.
- Perform general laboratory house-keeping activities and maintain a clean environment within laboratory work areas.
- Perform investigative studies on identification by DNA typing technologies. Maintain documentation of methods development and research activities in accordance with standard practice.
- Supervise/perform quality control testing involving routine nuclear and mtDNA typing and profiling procedures.
- Prepare formal written reports of quality control testing that contains professional interpretations and conclusions from the test data, and that are suitable for legal presentation in a court of law.
- Review Quality Control testing and formal written reports.
- Assist in educational and training activities including:
- Training and orientation of other assigned AFDIL personnel or visiting scientists, analysts or technicians.
- Preparation and delivery of various forms of presentation at local, regional, national, and international educational seminars, conferences, symposia, etc.
- Serve as a technical resource for DNA typing to a variety of scientists.
- Support validation projects focusing on systems with increased sensitivity and discrimination power and advanced development of automated systems.
- Support research projects focusing on various projects to include population databasing, and working to increase sensitivity, discrimination power, and automated systems for casework applications.
- Supervisory tasks include but are not limited to the following:
- Direct and monitor QC/VAL scientists' daily activities.
- Provide scientific and administrative guidance to FS1s and FS2s within the section.
- Assist QC/VAL Manager in tracking and reporting monthly metrics required by task orders.
- Conduct individual team meetings and attend full team and supervisory meetings to maintain open communication up and down chain of command.
- Maintains efficiencies and morale of team in planning, monitoring and appraising job results and that the monthly numbers are being met.
- Mentor FS1s and FS2s as assigned by the Quality Manager and/or QC/VAL Manager.
- Conducts training, coaching and counseling were appropriate to ensure that mission and contractual requirements are met.
- Escalate personnel issues to Quality Manager and/or QC/VAL Manager or Contract Program Manage where appropriate.
- Maintains safe and healthy work environment by establishing and enforcing organization standards and adhering to contractual and legal regulations.
- Completes operations by developing schedules, assigning and monitoring work, gathering resources, implementing productivity standards, resolving operations problems, maintaining SOPs, performing review and implementing and communicating new procedures where needed.
- Ensure accurate timekeeping and that each member of the team is completing their timesheets per policy.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- Master's degree in forensic science or one of the natural sciences with three (3) years of relevant forensic DNA laboratory experience OR a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in one of the biological sciences, chemistry or forensic science-related area with four (4) years of relevant forensic DNA laboratory experience.
- Must meet the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for a DNA Analyst regarding successful completion of nine (9) semester (or equivalent hours) in college level courses (undergraduate or graduate level) with general knowledge in DNA profiling with a preference of having coursework in biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
- Knowledge of the programs within DNA Operations and the military services as they relate to the clerical and administrative functions of the organization.
- General knowledge of forensic tissue typing methods, especially nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (nucDNA and mtDNA, respectively) profiling.
- Ability to maintain minimum standards of technical proficiency, if necessary, as demonstrated by acceptable performance on internal and external proficiency testing programs.
- Maintain a professional knowledge and understanding of relevant current issues in the scientific and forensic communities.
- Professional knowledge and understanding of the principles and theories of molecular biology, and the skills to operate and maintain a wide variety of sophisticated analytical instruments.
- Sufficient knowledge and experience to independently initiate and carry through to completion, complex processing involving DNA typing using novel methods of nucDNA Typing and/or mtDNA sequence analysis.
- Ability to apply practical and theoretical knowledge to independently alter or modify established analytical procedures using scientifically acceptable approaches to resolve unforeseen difficulties arising from analyses of DNA derived from tissues retrieved from unusual or unexpected environmental conditions.
- Knowledge of safety procedures, guidelines, and regulations, and ability to safely handle hazardous materials.
- Sufficient level of competence in order to argue, reason, and draw inferences and conclusions from technical information, experimental data and scientific theories, and to prepare effective oral and written presentations.
- Personality traits necessary to maintain good team cohesion and to set a good working example.
- Knowledge of various requirements necessary for achieving accreditation by outside inspection agencies to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Testing Laboratories, the International Organization of Standards ISO 17025 General Requirements for the competence of testing & calibration laboratories, as well as the ANSI National Accrediting Body (ANAB) Accreditation Requirements 3125 for Forensic Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
- Individual must be able to successfully complete a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NAC-I) background investigation. The position does not require a Secret security clearance, but the individual may be required to obtain a government security clearance at a future date if handling classified information or materials.
- Individual must be able to understand the capabilities, limitations, and interpretive results from the following complex technical procedures:
- Processing and preparation of various substrate types for extraction and purification of DNA.
- Quantitative & qualitative analysis of DNA by various methods.
- Application of PCR procedures to amplify target template DNA for subsequent analysis
- Separation of DNA fragments, including nuclear and mtDNA amplification and sequencing products, using capillary electrophoresis and various stationary matrixes such as agarose and polyacrylamide gels.
- Dye termination sequence analysis of target areas of the mtDNA genome.
- Analysis of PCR amplified DNA using fluorescent STR technologies.
- Operation of automated/robotic instrumentation associated with investigative studies, service casework and reference sample processing.
- Use of automated computer management systems to manipulate and analyze data in preparation of interim and final reports on casework and developmental studies.
- Computation of population frequency statistics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.
- Analysis and interpretation of DNA typing results as applied to determining the statistical relevancy of DNA profile matches between questioned and reference samples when both are derived from the same individual, or, in the more complex situation, when the reference samples are derived from blood-relatives.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a NAC-I Security clearance.
Work Environment:
- Work is on site at the AFMES facility.
- Understand that the possibility exists of exposure to noxious odors, hazardous chemicals, poisons, corrosive reagents, infectious tissues, x-ray, laser, and ultraviolet types of electromagnetic radiation.
- Understands that travel may be required as a part of a DNA collection and/or sites of mass fatality incidents as required by the government.
Physical Demands:
- Supervisor DNA Analyst should be able to:
- Sit or stand at automated computer management systems, computers or laboratory stations for extended periods of time.
- Operate automated and/or robotic instrumentation.
- Perform laboratory house-keeping activities.
TO APPLY:
Please submit your CV.
