Chemical Testing Laboratory Manager 2026-02309

State of Wyoming; Cheyenne (WY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

The Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory (WPHL) seeks a Chemical Testing Laboratory Manager with proven leadership in forensic toxicology or high-complexity testing. You will guide program strategy, staff development, quality/compliance, and long-range planning, while staying connected to day-to-day lab operations and ensuring excellence in testing.

Located in Cheyenne, WY, this on-site role emphasizes leadership of both direct and indirect reports, collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in science or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for forensic toxicology laboratory operations and services.
• Oversee priorities, staffing, and resources to ensure accurate and timely testing.
• Develop and mentor laboratory supervisors and staff.
• Set program goals and long-term direction for laboratory services.
• Manage the budget, equipment needs, and other resources.
• Oversee quality systems, regulatory compliance, and accreditation efforts.
• Guide development and implementation of new testing methodologies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across public health, law enforcement, and partners.

Skills

Forensic toxicology

Analytical chemistry

Staff development

Quality systems

Budget management

Strategic thinking

Advanced instrumentation

Scientific communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Science)

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory (WPHL) is seeking an experienced laboratory leader to serve as our Chemical Testing Laboratory Manager. This is a mid-career leadership opportunity for a laboratory professional with previous supervisory experience and a strong background in forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, clinical toxicology, or other high-complexity laboratory testing. This position provides leadership and strategic direction for forensic toxicology laboratory operations. While you'll remain connected to day-to-day laboratory operations, this role has a broader focus on program strategy, staff leadership, quality and compliance, budget management, laboratory operations, and long-term planning. You'll lead through both direct and indirect reports, work closely with laboratory leadership and scientific staff, and help determine how the program evolves to meet Wyoming's future forensic toxicology and public health needs.

This position is located at the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Why Consider WPHL?

For an experienced laboratory professional ready for greater leadership responsibility without sacrificing work-life balance, WPHL offers something different. You'll find:

• A flexible work schedule that supports work-life balance.
• Stable and predictable work in an established government laboratory.
• A professional, collaborative environment where the focus is on quality, accuracy, and public service.
• The opportunity to influence the long-term direction and strategy of an important statewide laboratory program.
• Leadership responsibility for both people and laboratory operations.
• Meaningful work supporting public health, criminal investigations, and communities throughout Wyoming.
• The stability and comprehensive benefits of a career in public service.

Benefits Beyond the Paycheck

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement – Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities
• And much more!

Human Resources Contact: [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for forensic toxicology laboratory operations, programs, and services.
• Oversee laboratory priorities, workload, staffing, and resources to ensure accurate and timely testing.
• Lead and develop laboratory supervisors and scientific staff while providing leadership to a broader team of indirect reports.
• Establish program goals and help set the long-term direction of laboratory services.
• Manage and monitor the program's budget, expenditures, equipment needs, and other laboratory resources.
• Oversee laboratory quality systems, regulatory compliance, accreditation requirements, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Guide the development, validation, and implementation of new testing methodologies and laboratory capabilities.
• Evaluate laboratory processes, emerging technologies, testing needs, and industry developments to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure complex analytical data and testing results meet established scientific and quality standards.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, protocols, and performance standards.
• Collaborate with laboratory leadership, public health programs, law enforcement, criminal justice partners, and other stakeholders.
• Support audits, regulatory reviews, accreditation activities, and other compliance requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on complex forensic toxicology issues.
• Represent the program with internal and external partners and communicate complex scientific information to a variety of audiences.
• Maintain an understanding of day-to-day laboratory operations while focusing on the bigger-picture needs, priorities, and future direction of the program.

PREFERENCES:

Preference may be given to candidates with a master's degree in a scientific discipline, previous supervisory or management experience in a forensic or clinical laboratory, and experience with laboratory quality systems, method validation, regulatory compliance, budget management, and strategic laboratory operations.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Strong knowledge of forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, or related laboratory sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional scientific staff.
• Experience managing laboratory operations and balancing multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality systems, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, OSHA requirements, chain of custody, and scientific ethics.
• Understanding of laboratory budgeting, resource allocation, equipment planning, and operational decision-making.
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining an understanding of day-to-day laboratory operations.
• Experience with advanced analytical instrumentation, method validation, and complex data interpretation.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific and operational information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Science)

Experience

2-4 years of progressive work experience (typically in a medical or environmental laboratory) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Laboratory Supervisor

Education & Experience Substitution

5-7 years of progressive work experience (typically in a medical or environmental laboratory) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Laboratory Supervisor

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, driving an automobile, etc.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Department of Health is an E-Verify employer.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.