Minnesota Department of Agriculture seek Forensic Evidence Specialist
Position Title 
Forensic Evidence Specialist
Forensic Evidence Specialist Job Summary
This is an opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art lab environment working toward continuous improvement under ISO 17025
accreditation. This position is critical in maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate and defensible test results. This
opportunity supports MDA regulatory divisions in surveillance activities that help protect public health, promote food safety, and
safeguard the environment. Our laboratory offers a challenging work environment and the opportunity for professional growth.
Job Summary
This position is responsible for providing sample custodial duties for the Laboratory; assisting the Department of Agriculture
inspectors on the proper procedures for packaging and submitting evidentiary samples; entering, tracking and distributing
supplies and equipment orders and coordinating hazardous waste lab packs.
inspectors on the proper procedures for packaging and submitting evidentiary samples; entering, tracking and distributing
supplies and equipment orders and coordinating hazardous waste lab packs.
Minimum Qualifications
Strong communication skills and the ability to understand a laboratory / regulatory division / state and federal customer functions
to effectively interpret complex directions involving policy, standard operating procedures and chain of custody procedures.
Customer service skills to perform sample intake, and develop and maintain good working relationships with customers and lab
personnel.
A working knowledge of a computer-based information system, including a high volume of data entry and use of spreadsheet
applications sufficient to enter and track sample information, laboratory supply order and equipment.
Skill in data entry sufficient to read and enter sample intake data with accuracy, and the ability to check data for completeness,
accuracy and discrepancies.
The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- A minimum of one year of experience in receiving and signing for evidence in a laboratory or a law enforcement agency.
- A background in Chemistry sufficient to perform weekly inspection of hazardous waste storage room and coordinate the
disposal of hazardous waste. - Experience with SWIFT, which includes working in the Billing, Purchasing and Vendor modules, as well as general navigation.
- Experience with a Laboratory Information Management System.
- Experience in writing sample control procedures.
Physical Requirements
This position exists in an analytical laboratory. As such, all potential safety hazards associated with this type of environment are
assumed to be present. Hazards such as chemical exposure, hot surfaces, compressed gases and mechanical hazards exist in
this section. This position must be comfortable working around these hazards and have sufficient knowledge to recognize and
prevent harm to themselves or others. This position must be able to function in this environment and must be comfortable
wearing personal protective gear.
assumed to be present. Hazards such as chemical exposure, hot surfaces, compressed gases and mechanical hazards exist in
this section. This position must be comfortable working around these hazards and have sufficient knowledge to recognize and
prevent harm to themselves or others. This position must be able to function in this environment and must be comfortable
wearing personal protective gear.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks and driver’s history check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The
background check for this position may include an Employment Records Check and a Reference Check.
The background check may consist of the following components:
SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
Employment Reference Check
SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
Employment Reference Check
Why Work For Us
This is an opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art lab environment working toward continuous improvement under ISO 17025
accreditation. This position is critical in maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate and defensible test results. This
opportunity supports MDA regulatory divisions in surveillance activities that help protect public health, promote food safety, and
safeguard the environment. Our laboratory offers a challenging work environment and the opportunity for professional growth.
GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical
and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement
plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.
accreditation. This position is critical in maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate and defensible test results. This
opportunity supports MDA regulatory divisions in surveillance activities that help protect public health, promote food safety, and
safeguard the environment. Our laboratory offers a challenging work environment and the opportunity for professional growth.
GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical
and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement
plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year.
Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The MDA is an
equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We
do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence, and understanding among all employees,
and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them.
We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including
pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or
activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender
identity, or age.
pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or
activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender
identity, or age.
How to Apply
Click “Apply”. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the job information line at 651.259.3637.
Contact
If you have questions about the position, contact Joe Putrow at joseph.putrow@state.mn.us or 651.201.6626.
Connect 700 applicants contact Tracy Ohmann at tracy.ohmann@state.mn.us or 651.201.6187.
If you have questions about the position, contact Joe Putrow at joseph.putrow@state.mn.us or 651.201.6626.
Connect 700 applicants contact Tracy Ohmann at tracy.ohmann@state.mn.us or 651.201.6187.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651.259.3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.