Wildlife Forensic Specialist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established November 17, 1966

Scope

This series specification describes two classes used in the Department of Fish and Game to perform professional wildlife forensic services. These classes are used for positions that conduct complex technical laboratory analyses with respect to the identification of criminals and investigations of crimes involving wildlife, and testify on, supervise, and provide training in connection with these analyses.

Definition of Series

Wildlife Forensic Specialists conduct and/or instruct Wardens in the examinations of crime scenes for physical evidence; examine, analyze, and interpret biological evidence; make difficult chemical, serological, and genetic tests on tissue, blood, and other physiological fluid stains; morphologically identify and compare hair, feathers, scales, fibers, skulls, bones, and other animal parts in forensic cases; perform necropsies on a variety of different wildlife to examine wounds, recover bullets, projectiles and trace evidence, determine the method of kill, and answer depredation concerns including predator attacks on humans; make macroscopic, microscopic, and other technical examinations and comparisons of tissue; make photographs and photomicrographs using black and white and color films; use complex measuring, recording, and testing of instruments and devices; prepare evidence and exhibits and testify in court as expert witnesses; assist Wardens and other wildlife law enforcement officers and prosecutors in understanding and interpreting forensic evidence; write reports and correspondence and give instructions in this field at Warden training schools; and provide forensic research, application, advanced casework, methodology development, and training to State and/or local wildlife forensic scientists and wildlife law enforcement agencies.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety, and complexity of work assignments; independence of action; degree of supervision received and exercised; degree of interagency and public contact; geographic area of responsibility; administrative responsibilities; consequence of error; and degree of responsibility for policy formulation and implementation.

Definition of Levels

Wildlife Forensic Specialist

This deep class includes ranges comprising the entry/trainee, subjourneyperson, and full journeyperson/leadperson levels. Incumbents in the entry and training level for this class work under close supervision and perform basic and less technical laboratory analyses and assist higher-level Wildlife Forensic Specialists in the examination of evidence from crime scenes and in the scientific investigation of crimes involving wildlife.

The subjourney level for this series, under general supervision, will perform more routine and complex technical laboratory analyses and assist higher-level Wildlife Forensic Specialists in the examination of evidence from crime scenes and in the scientific investigation of crimes involving wildlife.

Under general direction, the full journey level of the series is assigned to the more complex forensic analyses. Incumbents may act as lead persons to coordinate the work of lower-level Wildlife Forensic Specialists. Incumbents may also be assigned to provide training, application, methodology development, and research related to the field of wildlife forensic science.

Senior Wildlife Forensic Specialist

Staff at this level are assigned the most difficult advanced forensic casework and courtroom testimony with wide discretion and independence of action. Employees will represent the Department in contacts with other governmental agencies and with the public. Incumbents plan, organize, and lead a complex statewide wildlife forensic program such as the Wildlife Forensic Laboratory engaged in various wildlife forensic disciplines pursuant to casework involving criminal violations of State Fish and Game laws; or the Wildlife Forensic DNA Program engaged in organizing and providing forensic research, application, advanced casework, training, and methodology development in the field of forensic DNA technology.

Minimum Qualifications

Wildlife Forensic Specialist

Education: Graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences, including the equivalent of eight semester hours of general chemistry, four semester hours of biochemistry, six semester hours of organic chemistry or three semester hours of quantitative analysis; and three semester hours of genetics or molecular biology. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce proof of graduation before they are eligible for appointment.)

Senior Wildlife Forensic Specialist

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Wildlife Forensic Specialist, Range C.

Or II

Experience: Broad and extensive (more than five years) of professional experience in a biological sciences laboratory setting performing the duties of a molecular biologist, biochemical geneticist, or a closely related position. This experience must have included at least two years as a Wildlife Forensic Specialist having independent responsibility for issuing written reports concerning analytical findings and conclusions and testifying in court as an accepted expert witness on such findings and conclusions. (A Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemical Genetics, or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the required general experience.) Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include at least one year performing duties comparable to those of a Wildlife Forensic Specialist, Range C. and

Education: Graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences, including the equivalent of eight semester hours of general chemistry, four semester hours of biochemistry, six semester hours of organic chemistry or three semester hours of quantitative analysis; and three semester hours of genetics or molecular biology.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Scientific methods and techniques used in examining wildlife crime scenes; tests for the identification and comparison of tissue, blood, and physiological fluids; DNA analyses; comparative morphology of hair, feathers, scales, fibers, skulls, bones, and similar materials; microscopy; modern methods and techniques in investigations of major wildlife crimes; current trends in molecular biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics; general vertebrate anatomy with an emphasis on mammalian structure; necropsy procedures as they relate to wounds, depredation, and other wildlife forensic situations; photographic and photomicrographic principles and practices as applied to wildlife forensic science; and electrophoretic techniques.

Ability to: Make extensive use of scientific methods and techniques at the scene of a crime; make effective use of microscopes, spectrophotometers, and electrophoretic equipment; manual and or automated DNA analytical systems; recognize the need for and develop and evaluate new test methods and procedures; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate effectively; and instruct law enforcement and forensic personnel in wildlife forensic science.

Senior Wildlife Forensic Specialist

Knowledge of: All of the above; and long-range wildlife forensic development trends techniques; budget preparation and monitoring; governmental and private organizations involved in wildlife forensic science; and departmental and wildlife protection forensic priorities and support needs.

Ability to: All of the above; and plan and organize forensic research activities; implement departmental and wildlife protection forensic priorities and needs; prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and public presentations; coordinate with other Fish and Game divisions on laws and regulations; prepare and monitor budgets; negotiate wildlife forensic programs with private and public entities; and establish and maintain cooperative relations with universities and other research institutions.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Willingness to travel and to work unusual hours; and patience and keenness of observation.

Class History