Director, Forensic Lab

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Boston's Forensic Laboratory is seeking a Director to oversee administrative and technical operations, determine objectives, and ensure accreditation compliance. You will collaborate with the management team to maintain evidence integrity, case records, lab security, and safety.

The role requires leading recruitment, budget oversight, and strategic workforce planning for highly qualified forensic professionals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural science or forensic science required; advanced degrees preferred.
• Ten years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional/forensic laboratory experience with three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in an accredited laboratory and familiarity with evidence handling and accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate administrative and technical functions of personnel under the Commander.
• Direct strategic plans and practices that guide high-quality forensic laboratory operations.
• Determine laboratory objectives, communicate them to staff, and ensure compliance.
• Advise on scientific quality and ensure alignment with priorities, capabilities, and initiatives.
• Assess new techniques and procedures for potential implementation.
• Develop criteria to assess performance and strengthen laboratory operations.
• Authorize priority examinations and analyses as needed.
• Annually review the laboratory management system, budget, and grant proposals.
• Lead recruitment, selection, and workforce planning for Laboratory personnel.
• Direct and manage personnel operations including performance management and development.
• Provide executive leadership with statistical analyses, metrics, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop professional development and continuing education initiatives for staff.
• Serve on promotional review panels and oversee leadership development.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, QA protocols, and audit processes.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Organizational and time management

Analytical/reporting skills

Forensic laboratory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural science or forensic science

Master's or PhD preferred

Certification in a forensic discipline preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

LIS knowledge

Job description

Overview

Under the direct supervision of the Commander of the Boston Police Department Forensic Laboratory, the Director authorizes, approves, coordinates, and supervises administrative and technical operations of the Boston Police Department Forensic Laboratory. The Director shall determine relevant laboratory objectives and communicate those objectives to staff; ensure compliance with current accreditation standards; Work in collaboration with the management team of the Forensic Laboratory; ensure that clearly written procedures are followed for technical operations, handling, and preserving the integrity of evidence, case records, lab security, and safety.

Overview

Under the direct supervision of the Commander of the Forensic Laboratory, the Director authorizes, approves, coordinates, and supervises administrative and technical operations of the Boston Police Department Forensic Laboratory. The Director shall determine relevant laboratory objectives and communicate those objectives to staff; ensure compliance with current accreditation standards; Work in collaboration with the management team of the Forensic Laboratory; ensure that clearly written procedures are followed for technical operations, handling, and preserving the integrity of evidence, case records, lab security, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with the Commander of the Forensic Laboratory to coordinate administrative and technical functions of personnel.
• Direct and implement the strategic plan, standards, and practices that guide and support the delivery of high-quality forensic laboratory operations.
• Determine relevant laboratory objectives, communicate those objectives to staff, and ensure compliance.
• Advise on scientific and technical quality across the department and ensure alignment and integration with strategic priorities, capabilities, and initiatives.
• Assess new techniques and procedures for potential implementation in the laboratory.
• Develop and maintain criteria used to assess the level of performance and strengthen the operation of the laboratory.
• Authorize priority examinations and analyses as needed.
• Annually review and evaluate the laboratory management system, including the allocated budget, grant proposals, and other related resources.
• Lead and oversee the recruitment, selection, and strategic workforce planning efforts for Laboratory personnel, ensuring the acquisition and retention of highly qualified forensic professionals.
• Direct and manage all personnel operations for the Laboratory, including performance management, workforce development, succession planning, employee relations, and organizational leadership initiatives.
• Provide executive leadership with complex statistical analyses, operational metrics, forensic case data, and strategic recommendations to support departmental planning, budget development, grant funding initiatives, staffing models, and resource allocation decisions.
• Develop, direct, and authorize comprehensive professional development and continuing education initiatives to ensure Laboratory personnel maintain technical competency, industry best practices, and compliance with evolving forensic science standards.
• Serve in a senior leadership capacity on promotional review and evaluation panels, providing strategic oversight and recommendations regarding advancement, leadership development, and succession planning for laboratory personnel.
• Direct and ensure Laboratory-wide compliance with all applicable accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, quality assurance protocols, and forensic science best practices, including oversight of audit preparation, corrective actions, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Perform related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in natural science, forensic science, or a closely related field is required. Master's or PhD degree in a natural science, forensic science, or closely related field is preferred. Certification in a forensic discipline is preferred.
• Applicants must have ten (10) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional/forensic laboratory experience with three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in lab management and supervision is strongly preferred; familiar with management methods, practices, and procedures, including quality (technical and administrative), planning, scheduling (logistics), purchasing, data gathering, mentoring, and supervising.
• Professional experience in an accredited laboratory is preferred.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory scientific disciplines, including, but not limited to, DNA/Biology, Firearms, Latent Prints, Trace Evidence, and Crime Scene Investigation.
• Should have knowledge of forensic science and the management and operations of a forensic laboratory; rules of evidence, proper handling and documentation; legal/courtroom proceedings; accreditation standards; forensic testing methods and reporting.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and prepare statistical reports; communicate clearly and effectively; create and manage an operational budget; and supervise and make managerial decisions.
• Must understand relevant tools, equipment, and software used in the Forensic Laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to develop ideas, resolve conflicts, and problem-solve initiatives to support the team.
• Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrate accountability and motivation.
• Full knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Boston Police Department Forensic Laboratory.
• Full knowledge of forensic accreditation standards and supplemental requirements.
• Ability to communicate, listen, and collaborate with a team.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and delegate tasks as needed.
• Ability to write and review comprehensive administrative/statistical/technical reports.
• Ability to evaluate, develop, write, and implement Standard Operating Procedures.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications and Google Suite.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

Terms

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non-Union/MM-12

Hours per week: 35

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.