Director of Forensic Laboratory

Responsibilities

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for directing the overall operations of a Forensic Laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring analytical, photographic, and related services are 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. Does related work as required. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: 

• Directs and has administrative oversight and responsibility for all forensic analysis of evidence conducted by the laboratory; 
• Develops, directs and implements policies, programs, and initiatives to be undertaken by the laboratory to supply adequate services bases on workload, advances in technology and scientific knowledge, legal requirements and local policies; 
• 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; 
• Responsible for submittal of budgetary requests for all aspects of laboratory functioning; 
• 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; 
• 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; 
• Oversees the recruitment and selection of applicants for recommendation to the Sheriff, or the Sheriff’s designee, for all laboratory positions; 
• 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; 
• Meets with attorneys, investigators and other related personnel regarding approaches to analysis and results in pretrial conferences; 
• Participates in scientific meetings, seminars, and other training as assigned; 
• Testifies in court regarding laboratory analyses and the significance of the results as required. 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: 

• thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of analytical chemistry as it applies to the field of Forensic science;
• thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, instruments, and methods used in forensic analysis as applied to the collection and analysis of criminal evidence; 
• ability to supervise and direct assigned laboratory and attached personnel; 
• ability to initiate and develop research programs; 
• ability to introduce and evaluate new procedures and methods; 
• ability to analyze and evaluate information and observations, and to arrive at and construct logical and sound conclusions; 
• ability to explain laboratory analysis techniques, procedures and theories in a clear and concise manner to so that nonscientists may understand the significance of the results obtained using these procedures; 
• ability to manage database records and maintain accurate records; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; 
• ability to prepare and deliver legal testimony accurately and be cross-examined and remain composed in court; 
• ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships; sound professional judgment; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees 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

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees 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 

Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees 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 

An equivalent combination of training and experience that is defined by the limits above. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment; 
• Successful completion of a background check; 
• Additional continuing education and training may be required as condition of employment, including training courses in management and administration. 

NOTE: Natural Sciences include Biology, Earth Science, Botany, Physics, Chemistry and Zoology.

Compensation

PAY RATE: $97,418 - $120,630 annually 

Benefits: The following is a summary of benefits provided to FLAT SALARY PLAN EMPLOYEES (non-department heads) whose positions are with benefits. 

• SICK DAYS: Employees hired prior to 12/13/2022 earn one (1) sick day per month when in a pay status for more than one-half of the month. Maximum sick days allowed is 185 days. Sick days are carried over year after year. Employees hired or rehired on or after 12/13/2022 earn one (1) sick day per month up to a maximum of eight (8) days per calendar year for years one (1) through ten (10) of employment. In year eleven (11) and beyond, employees shall earn up to twelve (12) days per calendar year. Maximum sick days allowed is 185 days. Sick days are carried over year after year. 
• MEDICAL/DENTAL VISITS: Employees are limited to 16 hours per calendar year. Visits are limited to a maximum of two (2) hours in duration, and you will be charged a minimum of two (2) hours unless the visit is scheduled at the beginning or end of the workday. 
• PERSONAL DAYS: Employees receive three (3) personal days per year. An employee is not eligible until the completion of ninety (90) calendar days of employment following the original date of hire. Personal days not used during the calendar year will be added to the employee’s sick leave accumulation and only up to the maximum days allowed. 
• SICK LEAVE EXTENSIONS: Permanent employees who have served continuously for two (2) years shall be granted sick leave with one-half pay for a period of up to six (6) months only after all sick and vacation accruals have been exhausted. Appropriate medical documentation must be provided by the employee every thirty (30) days. An additional period may be granted with the approval of the Niagara County Manager and/or Administration Committee. Employees will not accrue sick or vacation time when on an approved sick-leave extension for more than half the month. 
• BEREAVEMENT: Three (3) days bereavement for immediate family as defined in the CSEA Union Contract. 
• LEGAL HOLIDAYS: 
  NEW YEAR’S DAY 
  COLUMBUS DAY 
  MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY 
  VETERAN’S DAY 
  PRESIDENT’S DAY 
  THANKSGIVING DAY 
  GOOD FRIDAY 
  DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING 
  MEMORIAL DAY 
  CHRISTMAS DAY 
  INDEPENDENCE DAY 
  *FLOATING HOLIDAY (as scheduled) 
  LABOR DAY 
• VACATION: Employees hired or rehired after January 1, 2020 will be credited with one (1) vacation day for each month worked more than half the month up to a maximum of ten (10) days per year. On January 1st of the year following the completion of one (1) year of service, annual vacation will be credited per the following schedule. Benefit date is adjusted for time off the payroll and is used to determine accrual level. a. Less than five (5) years of service: ten (10) working days on January 1st b. After completion of five (5) years of service: fifteen (15) working days c. After completion of eight (8) years of service: seventeen (17) working days d. After completion of fourteen (14) years of service: twenty (20) working days e. After completion of twenty-five (25) years of service and thereafter: twenty-five (25) days The benefit set forth in “b”, “c”, “d”, and “e” will be credited to the employee on the employee’s anniversary date. 
• ANNUAL SALARY INCREASES: Annual salary increases are not mandatory, but each employee is entitled to one (1) increment up to the maximum for the position provided that the increment is recommended for approval by the department head. Employees appointed prior to the 1st of July shall be eligible to receive an increment on the following January 1st. All others must spend a full calendar year in service before being eligible for the increment. Employees on leave without pay must have worked a minimum of six (6) months. 
• LONGEVITY: An employee completing the following years of consecutive paid employment by the County shall be eligible to receive cumulative longevity payments as follows: 10 years of service $225 per year 14 years of service $500 per year 20 years of service $825 per year 25 years of service $1,150 per year 
• HEALTHCARE: Upon eligibility, the County will contribute a significant portion of the cost of the monthly premiums or "in lieu of" premium for each option available under the Niagara County Healthcare Plan. The County will contribute 90% of the cost of the monthly premium or "in lieu of" premium for the lowest cost Plan option (Value Plan) for a single employee or family, 90% of same for the mid-cost plan option (Core Plan) and 90% of same for the highest cost Plan option (Premium Plan). The participating employee will pay the applicable balance of the monthly premium, if any, through payroll deductions. Employees must complete and submit all necessary healthcare enrollment forms to the Risk Management Office within thirty (30) days of hire. 
• HEALTHCARE WAIVER: A maximum waiver benefit consisting of $500 for a full year waiver of single coverage, or $1000 for a full year waiver of family coverage shall be extended to active employees who are eligible for coverage provided by the County. The waiver is paid in two installments, July and January, and is based upon employee contribution. Employees must sign and submit a healthcare waiver form to the Human Resources Department. 
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: Upon eligibility, the County will deposit funds per employee per year in a flexible spending account to be used for only vision and/or dental expenses, this money is available the date of your first pay check. Employees are also eligible to participate in a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (maximum $1600 deduction per year) and/or a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (maximum $5000 deduction per year). You must complete and submit applicable enrollment forms to the Risk Management Office within thirty (30) days of hire and annually during the Open Enrollment Period. 
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees may avail themselves of the existing deferred compensation plan currently in effect in Niagara County. Maximum contribution limits are defined by current plan rules and policies. 
• RETIREMENT MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION: It is mandatory for all permanent employees to join the New York State Employees’ Retirement System or the New York State Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan (if eligible). An application will be provided to those employees during their initial employment, or at any time thereafter upon receiving permanent status. All non-mandatory employees (temporary, provisional, part-time), whose membership is optional, may elect to decline membership, or may join by filing a membership application. The contribution rate to the Retirement System will be deducted each pay period and the amount depends upon date of membership, tier, and annual income. 
• NYS Voluntary Defined Contribution Plan (VDC): VDC is a defined contribution retirement program. Benefits are determined by the amount contributed each year and the success of the investments. Eligible employees are unrepresented employees hired on or after July 1, 2013, with estimated annual wages of $75,000 or more may be eligible to join the VDC. See the VDC Enrollment Guide or visit www.vdc.ny.gov to learn if you qualify and for instructions if you wish to participate. Revised 1/1/2023

How to apply

Apply electronically at: https://niagara-portal.mycivilservice.com/ or submit paper applications to: Niagara County Human Resources, 111 Main Street – Suite G2, Lockport, NY 14094

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