Crime Laboratory Manager

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accrued vacation and sick days

10 paid holidays per year

Deferred compensation plan

Top retirement plans

Job summary

The State of Arizona Department of Public Safety seeks a Crime Laboratory Manager to oversee the Regional Crime Laboratory, directing technical production, HR and fiscal activities to ensure robust scientific support for the criminal justice system.

Candidates must have a biology/chemistry background with extensive forensic experience and at least one year in a supervisory role, plus successful completion of the required examination process. This is a full-time on-site position based in Phoenix.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or related sciences with chemistry coursework.
• Nine years of progressively responsible experience as a forensic scientist.
• One year of supervisory experience and successful completion of the examination process.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct technical production of the Regional Crime Laboratory.
• Oversee human resources and fiscal activities.
• Provide scientific support to the criminal justice system.
• Supervise staff under the Scientific Analysis Superintendent.

Skills

Forensic science

Supervisory experience

Examination process

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry with chemistry coursework

Job description

Crime Laboratory Manager

Job No: 543564
Work Type: Full-time
Location: PHOENIX
Categories: Research, Scientific/Technical Support, Misc/Other/Not Applicable, Management/Supervisor

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to provide public safety to the state of Arizona.Visit our website at www.azdps.gov

Crime Laboratory Manager

Job Summary:

This recruitment will be used to establish an 18-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies throughout the state.

Plans and directs the technical production, human resources and fiscal activities of the Regional Crime Laboratory to assure proper scientific support to the criminal justice system served. Performs related duties as required. Supervision is received from the Scientific Analysis Superintendent.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with either a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in chemistry or a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry with completed coursework in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry; and nine (9) years of increasingly responsible experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized laboratory actively engaged in the forensic sciences, including one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.
Additional forensic scientist experience, beyond the required nine (9) years, may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours).
Must successfully complete the examination process.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Applicants must complete an examination process. A polygraph and background investigation are required for successful applicants. DPS supports a drug-free work environment through pre-employment drug testing.
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to benefit-eligible employees in cooperation with the State of Arizona.

• Accrued vacation pay and sick days
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Deferred compensation plan
• Top-ranked retirement plans
• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance plans
• Employee Assistance, Peer and Family Support Programs
• Bus Cards (Subsidized partially by the State)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement :

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Advertised: 04 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: 13 Sep 2026 US Mountain Standard Time