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NASSAU COUNTYTitle:DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC LABORATORIES
Code:630376 2SQ
CLASS SPECIFICATIONPage:1 of 3

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The work involves responsibility for directing the overall operations of a forensic laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring analytical, photographic, and related services provided to user agencies in a timely, accurate and meaningful manner, in order to assist with medical, law enforcement and medicolegal investigations in accordance with sound laboratory practices, accepted clinical and forensic procedures, and established municipal policies. Supervision is exercised over professional, technical and clerical personnel.

TYPICAL DUTIES
1.
Directs and has administrative oversight and responsibility for all forensic analysis of evidence conducted by the laboratory.
2.
Develops, directs and implements policies, programs and initiatives to be undertaken by the laboratory to supply adequate services based on workload, advances in technology and scientific knowledge, legal requirements and local policies.
3.
Plans and anticipates for future services and goals of the laboratory by evaluating workload statistics, monitoring legal decisions and law changes, reviewing higher level municipal directives and requests by other municipal departments and law enforcement agencies for service by establishing budget requirements, evaluating priorities, developing policies, and allocating resources.
4.
Responsible for submittal of budgetary requests for all aspects of laboratory functioning.
5.
Directs internal and external proficiency testing programs, the coordination of programs and activities involving shared resources, training of personnel, or analytical services of the laboratory.
6.
Ensures that staffing levels are adequate in numbers, training and experience to properly perform assigned work, and monitors staff development in light of future needs.
7.
Oversees the recruitment and selection of applicants for all laboratory positions.
8.
Consults, advises or directs lower level personnel relative to technical scientific problems or requests for information, and provides similar consultation and advice to personnel from other departments and local law enforcement agencies.
9.
Meets with attorneys, investigators and other related personnel regarding approaches to analysis and results in pretrial conferences.
10.
Participates in scientific meetings, seminars, and other training as assigned.
11.
Testifies in court regarding laboratory analyses and the significance of the results as required.

*ADA ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
1.Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of analytical chemistry as it applies to the field of forensic science.
2.Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, instruments, and methods used in forensic analysis as applied to the collection and analysis of criminal evidence.
3.Ability to supervise and direct assigned laboratory and attached personnel.

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Title:DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC LABORATORIES
Code:630376 2SQ
Page:2 of 3

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Continued)
4.Ability to initiate and develop research programs.
5.Ability to introduce and evaluate new procedures and methods.
6.Ability to analyze and evaluate information and observations, and to arrive at and construct logical and sound conclusions.
7.Ability to explain laboratory analysis techniques, procedures and theories in a clear and concise manner so that non-scientists may understand the significance of the results obtained using these procedures.
8.Ability to manage data base records and maintain accurate records.
9.Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
10.
Ability to prepare and deliver legal testimony accurately and be cross-examined and remain composed in court.
11.
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
12.
Good judgment.

If Serving as Director of Forensic Laboratories (Toxicology):
1.Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and analytical chemistry as it applies to the field of forensic toxicology.
2.Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, instruments, and methods used in forensic analysis as applied to the collection and analysis of biological samples.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Training and Experience
1.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Doctoral Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, toxicology, or criminalistics, including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry at the graduate or undergraduate level, and four (4) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting analysis in a forensic discipline, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position;
OR
2.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, toxicology, or criminalistics, including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry at the graduate or undergraduate level, and five (5) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting analysis in a forensic discipline, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position;
OR
3.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, toxicology, or criminalistics, including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry, and six (6) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting analysis in a forensic discipline, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position;
OR
4.An equivalent combination of training and experience that is defined by the limits of (1) and (2) above.
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Title:DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC LABORATORIES
Code:630376 2SQ
Page:3 of 3

If serving as Director of Forensic Laboratories (Toxicologist):
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Training and Experience
1.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Doctoral Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, biomedical technology, pharmacology, criminalistics, or toxicology including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry at the graduate or undergraduate level, and four (4) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting toxicological analysis, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position;
OR
2.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, biomedical technology, pharmacology, criminalistics or toxicology including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry at the graduate or undergraduate level, and five (5) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting toxicological analysis, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position;
OR
3.Graduation from a New York State or regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in a natural science, a forensic science, an engineering science, biomedical technology, pharmacology, criminalistics or toxicology, including or supplemented by at least twelve (12) credit hours in chemistry, and six (6) years of full-time or its part-time equivalent experience in a forensic laboratory conducting toxicological analysis, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory or managerial position,
OR
4.An equivalent combination of training and experience that is defined by the limits of (1) and (2) above.

NOTE: Additional continuing education and training may be required as condition of
employment, including training courses in management and administration.
8/13/09
569/09
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