Forensic Lab Manager

Do you meet our minimum hiring standards?

Click here before applying.

Plans, organizes and oversees the daily operations of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab and supervises personnel in the office, field, and laboratory settings.  Manages annual budget forensic lab budget.  Ensures compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation standards, as well as coordinating safety, security and quality of the laboratory. The Laboratory Manager may also perform routine casework of forensic evidence.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Work is performed under the general direction of a Police Lieutenant who checks general work productivity and outcomes.  Work requires the exercise of considerable discretion and independent judgment.

• Performs advanced investigative and field supervisory functions and ensures activities conform to state and federal laws, professional practices, and laboratory regulations;
• Provides expert assistance to detectives, prosecutor’s staff, and other law enforcement personnel related to the documentation and processing of crime scenes and the collection, preservation and processing of evidence;
• Manages trial exhibits and evidence, and gives expert testimony in court on matters pertaining to crime scene investigation techniques, fingerprints, latent print identification and individualization, photography, lab findings or other forms of physical evidence identification; 
• Drafts, recommends, implements, and enforces policy and procedure protocols;

• Sets work priorities of lab to meet most urgent needs. Oversees the inventory and maintenance of all supplies, equipment, and software for crime scenes, processing evidence, and developing photographs;
• Monitors expenditures and recommends purchase approvals;

• Prepares and administers budgets to address expenditures for crime lab operations; 
• Monitors and audits laboratory operations; 
• Develops strategic plans and goals, objectives and performance indicators; 
• Tracks work and caseloads, productivity and turnaround time, crime lab operations, oversees the collection of statistical information, analyzes and prepares reports;

• Supervises personnel, assigns work, reviews and evaluates performance, counsels employees regarding programs, policies and procedures, resolves employee complaints, takes disciplinary action, interviews and hires employees, tracks time and coordinates vacation schedules.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Performs related functions as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required; 
• Minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in the field of forensics and/or crime scene investigation, including at least one year experience in leading the work of others. Equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
• Knowledge of proper crime scene investigation, evidence collection, preservation, and storage techniques; 
• Knowledge of laboratory methods, processes, and procedures specific to crime scene and evidence analysis and related state and federal lab requirements; 
• Knowledge of fingerprint identification and of methods of comparing latent versus known prints; 
• Knowledge of photography and processes involved in the criminal justice system; 
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of chemical and other scientific examination methods and procedures sufficient to evaluate, compare, and identify physical and fingerprint evidence; 
• Knowledge of training, and principles and practices of effective supervision.

• Knowledge of Idaho Criminal Code and related laws;
• Knowledge of hazards and safety practices associated with chemicals and infectious diseases. 
• Knowledge of modern office equipment, practices and procedures. 

• Skill preparing reports with a high degree of accuracy, and presenting findings using charts and graphs in a court of law; 
• Skill safely operating a motor vehicle;
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer;
• Ability to resolve problems; 
• Skill analyzing and comparing minute details, and organizing data;
• Ability to plan, assign, and manage others and to ensure effective performance and results; Ability to communicate effectively in the English language both verbally and in writing at a level necessary for efficient job performance; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license;
• Must pass an oral examination, polygraph examination, credit and background check prior to hire;
• This position is required to be on-call in order to perform the primary job responsibilities;
• This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

• This position requires the incumbent to work in an office environment, laboratory and in the field;
• Must work with hazardous materials, heavy equipment and occasionally must negotiate fences, hazardous steep terrain with rough, rocky or wet surfaces;
• The nature of the work will require the employee to be in the field for long periods of time under various weather conditions;
• Incumbent may be subject to a variety of chemicals and infectious diseases;
• Incumbent is required to visit crime scenes and be exposed to unpleasant images;
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.

Salary : $110,000 - $118,000