Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Director

Responsibilities

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide senior strategic leadership for the Forensic Toxicology lab. 
• Promote all aspects of the mission of the Forensic Toxicology Lab, to include delivering high quality laboratory results, innovation and growth of the laboratory, and excellence in education. 
• Delegate, review and supervise all activities in the Forensic Toxicology lab. 
• Ensure reliability of results. 
• Provide professional support to pathologists, ME staff and clients regarding lab findings and the interpretation of lab data. 
• Prepare, maintain and oversee the technical records and reports. 
• Give testimony in Forensic Toxicology matters resulting from analytical casework. 
• Develop and maintain an active and effective quality management and improvement program with a focus on accuracy, rapid turnaround time, and client satisfaction. 
• Perform all ABFT/ ANAB Laboratory Director duties. 
• Assure the laboratory meets all accreditation requirements, as well as regulations required by Milwaukee County and other agencies. 
• Maintain an up-to-date procedure manual that will remain available to all personnel responsible for testing.
• Establish and maintain acceptable levels of analytical performance for the lab. 
• Stay current with new illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals, and equipment; inform/educate appropriate staff on toxicology information relative to their role in the mission of the office. 
• Integrate new technology and equipment into the lab. This includes the development of validation protocols and the review of validation data. 
• Interact with law enforcement, government and judicial clients, forensic pathologists, lab and department administration to provide quality toxicology services. 
• Provide oversight for educational activities of the Toxicology Laboratory including continuing education opportunities and a curriculum for residents and fellows. 
• Regularly attend all appropriate department meetings; attend and provide effective leadership for laboratory meetings. 

Additional duties may be assigned at the discretion of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Qualified to manage and direct lab personnel and perform high-complexity testing. 
• Strong working knowledge of: analytical procedures including understanding of analytical terminology, methods and theory and methods of data interpretation, including wet chemistry, chromatography (GC, HPLC), spectrophotometry (UV/VIS) and spectrometry (GC/MS and LC/MS/MS, LC/MS-ToF); pharmacology/toxicokinetics, pharmacodynamics, integration of case-related issues to proper analysis, interpretation of analytical results; and how to properly validate laboratory-developed tests 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate and coordinate closely with clients, forensic pathologists, detectives, attorneys, and criminal justice system personnel. 
• Experience with courtroom testimony and depositions 

Minimum Education/Certification Qualifications/ Work Experience Include: 

• Doctoral Degree in a chemical or biological discipline and at least three years of fulltime laboratory experience in Forensic Toxicology plus board certification/eligibility by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or a similar certifying board to meet the requirements for a Laboratory Director. OR 
• Master’s Degree in a chemical or biological discipline and at least five years of fulltime laboratory experience in Forensic Toxicology plus certification/eligiblity by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), and experience directing a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory will be considered. OR 
• Bachelor’s Degree in a chemical or biological discipline and at least seven years of fulltime laboratory experience in Forensic Toxicology plus certification/eligibility by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), and experience directing a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory will be considered. OR 
• Board-certified medical doctors with specialty training in clinical pathology/anatomic and clinical pathology and toxicology with experience directing a Forensic Toxicology Laboratory will be considered.

Compensation

Hourly Range: $55.63 - $83.43 

Milwaukee County offers a full range of benefits. More information can be found at: https://countyconnect.milwaukeecountywi.gov/MCINT/Human-Resources/Benefits--Wellness   

How to apply

Interested candidates must apply via Career Opportunities (milwaukeecountywi.gov). Any questions can be directed to the contact below. Eligible candidates may be asked to present a short scientific presentation to staff as part of the interview process.

CONTACT:
Karen Domagalski 
Operations Manager 
Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office 
414.223.1207 
Karen.Domagalski@milwaukeecountywi.gov 

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