Forensic Drugs Reporter

Company Description

Eurofins Scientific is a leading international group of laboratories with over EUR 6.95 billion annual sales and over 63,000 employees with a network of 950 laboratories in 60 countries.

Eurofins has a network of 16 sites in the UK and the Group provides an unparalleled range of over 200,000 reliable and validated analytical methods and support services to the pharmaceutical, food, environmental and consumer product industries, and to governments.

Eurofins Forensic Services (EFS) laboratories are amongst the most advanced analytical facilities in Europe, enabling the company to offer a complete and comprehensive range of independent and innovative forensic testing solutions to police forces, legal and criminal justice organisations throughout the UK and Europe.

Job Description

To analyse substances suspected of being or containing drugs controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and other associated legislation. To produce Witness Statements and to attend Courts of Law, if required.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Conduct examination/analysis of exhibits following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) whilst working within own documented competencies and to required timescales.
• Always adhere to all customer Operational Protocols and the Eurofins Quality Manual.
• Ensure all notes are accurate, contemporaneous and signed/dated as per SOP’s.
• Be responsible for the integrity and continuity of exhibits while under ownership.
• Communicate with other team members throughout the lifetime of the case.
• Design individual case examination/analysis strategies for more complex cases.
• Instruct others to do the same, if appropriate, and check results of their work.
• Discuss findings with investigators/CPS.
• Write statements or reports for court.
• Coach and mentor more junior reporters and other junior staff.
• Mentor and advise junior staff in best practice and highlight any quality deficiencies to appropriate team members.
• Offer sound advice to customers through training or direct contact.
• Seek continual improvement of methodology and processes and discuss with senior team members.
• Recognise potential quality and Health and Safety issues arising during examinations and raise at the earliest opportunity.
• Carry out laboratory cleaning where required.
• Fully adhere to the Forensic Regulators Codes of Practice.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Experience and Technical Skills

• A recognised qualification in a relevant scientific subject.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Previous experience, preferably laboratory-based, in a scientific capacity.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Fully trained and competent in the examination of standard drug items.
• Familiarity with less common drugs.
• Ability to write own witness statements.
• Knowledge of relevant drugs legislation.
• Understanding and acceptance of the requirement for full adherence to the Forensic Regulators Code of Practice.

Skills & Experience

Developing Reporter

• Reporting of simple items to include powders, cannabis, and tablets/capsules.
• Further reporting sign-off to include non-cannabis herbal items, cannabis plants (ID only), traces, liquids and DNA preservation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to the required Customer Operational Protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Management System, Health & Safety documents and CPS requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and adherence to the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice.
• Completion of a court awareness course.
• Awareness and understanding of other evidence types.

Established Reporter (all the above plus)

• Routinely achieving or exceeding their KPI’s as a Developing Reporter and demonstrating the behaviours required for the role.
• Successful completion of the Expert Witness Course allowing reporting of stage 2 SFR’s.
• Complex skills to include some or all of the below:
  • Edibles and complex cannabis preparation
  • Complex methods
  • Yield reporting
  • Peer-reviewing (developing reporter level)
  • EDIT training
  • Endorse profiling/ data
  • Technical trainer
  • CLIMS additions

• Sufficient experience to coach and mentor trainees.

Additional Information

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the work, applicants should note that security clearance is required for this role. To gain security clearance you must have five years continuous residency in the UK. Security clearance is undertaken by a third party to police personnel vetting standards (NPPV/3 and SC), as such any criminal convictions may prevent you from gaining security clearance. Further information on the security clearance process and requirement can be found at https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/police-forces/warwickshire-police/areas/warwickshire-police/about-us/about-us/police-national-vetting-service/. In addition, all successful applicants will be required to undertake drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment.

In return for your hard work and loyal service, we will offer you a competitive salary, and a selection of employee benefits via our flexible benefits menu which includes cycle to work, give as you earn, volunteering days, buy and sell holiday. In addition, we also offer the following:

• Life Assurance (3 times annual salary)
• Scottish Widows Company Pension Plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to a maximum of 30 days)
• Employee length of service awards and yearly recognition schemes, celebrating work anniversaries here at EFS.
• Employee tech scheme
• Discount vouchers and flexi reward points on our employee wellness hub
• Everyone who joins EFS will have access to Perkbox allowing you to save money all year round on a wide range of perks such as supermarket savings, days out or your daily coffee
• Learning and study support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Cash Plan membership
• Enhanced company sick, maternity and paternity pay scheme
• Refer a friend scheme
• Subscription to mental health support and wellbeing
• Free on-site car parking

Due to the nature of the work we undertake on our EFS Midlands site, for employees based at EFS Midlands or likely to attend EFS Midlands as part of their role you must inform us if you come into contact with any firearms or ammunition through work or any other reason as there will be precautions you will need to take in order to enter the premises.  This also applies to persons involved in clay pigeon shooting, and those who regularly use any cartridge-based tools such as nail/stud guns.  Please provide details on your application.