The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

JOB DESCRIPTION

The OCME Molecular Genetics Laboratory the first and only laboratory based in a medical examiner’s office nationwide helps medical examiners investigate sudden unexpected natural deaths in apparently healthy individuals. The laboratory provides postmortem molecular diagnostic testing to identify and interpret gene changes that may explain sudden deaths, and to alert surviving family members so that loved ones at high risk for inherited disease can be tested and treated. Under the general direction of the Director of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, the selected candidate will be responsible for assisting in conducting scientific analyses and quality control tasks performed on biological specimens brought to the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York. The most eligible candidate will possess the technical skills listed and the potential to exemplify this agency’s core values of “Commitment, Accountability, Resilience, Excellence, and Service”. Typical tasks include but are not limited to the following:

The Molecular Genetics Laboratory, accredited by CAP and permitted by NYS CLEP, is seeking a highly skilled Criminalist IV to perform complex molecular diagnostic testing and provide leadership in quality assurance, training, and laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities:

- Perform advanced molecular diagnostic testing, including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing, with responsibilities in testing, training, technical review, and report generation.
- Participate in laboratory proficiency testing programs and maintain competency certification.
- Develop, maintain, and improve bioinformatics tools and automation scripts to support casework and streamline data analysis workflows.
- Supervise QA-Liaison rotations, including staff scheduling and oversight of quality control and quality assurance activities.
- Collaborate with the Quality Management Committee to lead or support validation studies, perform detailed data analyses, and prepare comprehensive validation reports.

CRIMINALIST - 21849

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.

2. For Assignment to Assignment Level I - B
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements For All Assignment Levels" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level I-B individuals must have at least one year of satisfactory full-time experience in criminalistics, forensic science or analytic chemistry, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.

3. In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level II, individuals must have one of the following:
1. One year of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B; or 2. One additional year of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of two years of such experience; or 3. A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling two years of experience as described above.

4. In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" for Assignment Level I-B above, to be assigned to Assignment Level III, individuals must have one of the following:
1. Two years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B and/or II; or 2. Two additional years of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of three years of such experience; or 3. A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling three years of experience as described above.

5. For Assignment to Assignment Level IV
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" for Assignment Level I-B above, to be assigned to Assignment Level IV, individuals must have one of the following:
1. Three years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B, II, and /or III; or 2. Three additional years of experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of four years of such experience; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling four years of experience, as described above.

- Proven expertise in NGS and Sanger sequencing methodologies. - Strong foundation in molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics. - Demonstrated leadership in laboratory quality systems, including staff training and supervision. - Experience conducting and documenting validation and verification studies in compliance with regulatory standards.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.