Crime Lab Technical Specialist

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory is seeking a Crime Laboratory Technical Specialist to serve as the technical lead in the Forensic DNA Unit. The role includes oversight of Analysts, certification, QA, training, and emerging methods, with the authority to act as the supervisor’s designee.

The position requires a biology/chemistry-based degree and four years of crime-lab experience, with graduate coursework substitutions allowed, plus strong data analysis and policy-development skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12 semester hours in biology or chemistry and 12 semester hours in a biological science, chemistry, forensic science, molecular physics, physics, criminalistics or pharmacology.
• Four years of professional-level crime laboratory experience.
• Graduate training in qualifying fields can substitute for experience at 30 semester hours per year, with a coursework mix allowed.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support in data analysis, equipment operation, troubleshooting, reagent prep, forensic database queries, and evidence collection.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in casework, data collection and interpretation.
• Conduct technical/administrative reviews of analytical data and reports, initiating corrective actions as needed.
• Review and recommend current forensic methods and research, implementing new methods.
• Draft and modify forensic policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Provide expert testimony on analytical processes, preparing evidence for analysis and instrumentation use.
• Stay up-to-date on accreditation standards in the forensic discipline.

Skills

Technical leadership

Forensic DNA

Data analysis

Laboratory oversight

Expert testimony

Education

Baccalaureate degree in biology/chemistry

Tools

Forensic instrumentation

Analytical software

Job description

At the Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory, our mission is to empower communities and improve lives by delivering responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking public services. We are proud to serve the people of Louisiana with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

We’re looking for a Crime Laboratory Technical Specialist to join our Forensic DNA Unit. This position will serve as the technical lead/subject matter expert in the Forensic DNA Unit and will have functional and technical oversight of Crime Laboratory Analysts in operations related to analysis. This includes certification, quality assurance, training, emerging technologies and methods, or other specialties, and will serve as the supervisor’s designee in the supervisor’s absence.

If you're driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact—this could be the opportunity for you!

A baccalaureate degree with twelve semester hours in biology or chemistry and an additional twelve semester hours in a biological science, chemistry, forensic science, molecular physics, physics, criminalistics or pharmacology plus four years of professional-level crime laboratory experience.

A combination of coursework is allowed.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION

Graduate training in qualifying fields will substitute for the required experience on the basis of thirty semester hours for one year of experience; a combination of coursework is allowed.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Provide technical support to team members in the areas of data analysis, equipment operation, advanced equipment troubleshooting, reagent preparation, forensic data base queries, and evidence collection.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the areas of casework, data collection and interpretation.
• Conduct technical and/or administrative reviews in their discipline which includes reviewing the analytical data and scientific analysis reports of analysts and initiate corrective actions if required.
• Review and make recommendations regarding current forensic analytical methods and research while implementing new forensic analytical methods.
• Draft new and/or modify existing forensic policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Be able to provide expert testimony regarding the analytical process, the work involved preparing the evidence for analysis and instrumentation use during analysis.
• Remain up-to-date on the accreditation standards in their specific forensic discipline.

Position-Specific Details

• Appointment Type: Probational
• Career Progression: This position will be filled as a Crime Lab Technical Specialist.
• Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday.
• Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
• Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Contact Information

Emaill: [e-mail]

Agency/Department Name: Louisiana State Police/Human Resources

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 66614, Baton Rouge, LA 70806