Forensic Laboratory Chemistry Manager

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Compensation Range

$87,667.51-$142,965.48

Starting Salary Range

87667.51-115316.49

Job Description Summary

Perform operational and strategic managerial duties providing supervision of assigned forensic laboratory staff. Identify controlled substances using the Seized Drugs Protocols.

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

• Supervise the work of assigned staff by scheduling, assigning, and reviewing work, providing training, counseling, and evaluating performance.

• Interact in a leadership role with forensic professionals who serve in subordinate capacities.

• Motivate personnel, develop short- and long-range plans, resolve disciplinary issues, interact effectively with other agency members in leadership roles, evaluate and pursue appropriate technology and assess existing practices and policies and make necessary changes.

• Direct major programs to achieve broad organizational goals and objectives.

• Evaluate new technology and equipment for purchase.

• Identify trends and new potential substances for future legislative action.

• Perform examinations on submitted evidence for the presence of controlled substances.

• Write reports to document findings and conclusions of cases.

• Provide expert testimony in all controlled substance matters.

• Respond to requests for assistance to advise on controlled substance issues.

• Maintain electronic/hardcopy chemistry files.

• Perform Forensic Services Bureau Director duties when required.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of chemistry techniques and use of section equipment and processes.

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of management.

• Extensive knowledge of advanced controlled substance examination techniques.

• Extensive knowledge of the history of forensic chemistry.

• Extensive knowledge in developing training programs for forensic chemistry examiners.

• Extensive knowledge of the forensic accreditation bodies and processes.

• Considerable knowledge of chemical analysis techniques in controlled substance examinations.

• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and county criminal laws and ordinances pertaining to the collection and use of physical evidence.

• Skill in evaluating evidence for the presence of controlled substances.

• Ability to keep up with the current/emerging technology in the forensic sciences and criminology fields.

• Ability to use considerable initiative, think independently, and exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.

• Ability to effectively apply supervisory techniques.

• Ability to prioritize work.

• Ability to follow established procedures.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to collect, organize, and evaluate data and to develop logical conclusions.

• Ability to maintain technical expertise.

• Ability to use a computer and related software.

• Ability to handle confidential information.

• Ability to maintain work-related records and prepare reports. 

• Ability to maintain work related records and prepare reports.

Working Conditions

• Work within a forensic laboratory environment within a law enforcement agency.

• Work with items of evidentiary value, which may contain body fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, semen) that have been processed with chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic or toxic.

• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or microscope.

• May engage in light physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 10 pounds).

• Work standard business hours.

• May be required to work non-standard hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• In the event of an emergency or disaster,