Criminalist III (Forensic Anthropologist)

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.
Under the general direction of the Director and Assistant Director of the Forensic Anthropology Unit, the incumbent is responsible for independently conducting the scientific analyses performed on specimens submitted to the Forensic Anthropology Unit. The incumbent is also responsible for responding to certain types of death scenes. Typical tasks include but are not limited to the following:
- Perform daily casework involving analysis of skeletal, decomposed, mummified, burned and/or fragmented human remains.
- Analyze cases for the purpose of decedent identification and/or assessment of skeletal trauma.
- Participate in the peer-review process for casework.
- Respond on site to death scenes as required (e.g., burials, scattered remains, fire scenes, mass fatalities, etc.)
- Utilize NamUs for case upload and decedent identification efforts, including comparison of missing persons records with unidentified decedent records, conducting detailed analysis of OCME cold cases to successfully resolve challenging identifications, while working closely with the Identification Department.
- Conduct analysis of World Trade Center remains and associated case files as part of ongoing identification efforts, including communication with World Trade Center family members.
- Collaborate with other members of the Forensic Anthropology Unit, Forensic Pathology, Medicolegal Investigations, and Special Operations in the main office and off-site locations.
- Testify as an expert witness in forensic anthropology.
- Communicate effectively with lay, technical, medical, and legal audiences.
- Participate as a critical member of the agency’s disaster response team, working in the field and in the mortuary.
- Adhere to departmental SOPs, best practices, and laboratory accreditation requirements under ISO 17020.
- Conduct advanced research regarding new methods, procedures, and techniques of laboratory analysis and scientific medico-legal investigation.
- Provide training for OCME and law enforcement personnel on laboratory and field techniques relating to Forensic Anthropology.
- Other duties as assigned.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.
This position has been identified as “essential”. During emergency events, “essential “positions require 24-hour availability.
WORK AUTHORIZATION:
Authorization to work in the United States is not required to apply for this position, however authorization is required before employment can begin. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of employment. The City of New York may be able to provide assistance with employment-based visa sponsorship, but OCME cannot guarantee sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas.
Please note that only candidates selected for interview will be contacted for this position.
**FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL**
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.

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.