Director, Forensic Lab

Boston; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Police Department is seeking a Director for the Forensic Laboratory to oversee administrative and technical operations, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and high-quality forensic services. You will collaborate with the management team, determine objectives, and communicate them to staff.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, budget oversight, staff development, and implementing innovative techniques while maintaining rigorous quality assurance across disciplines

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in natural science, forensic science, or closely related field.
• Master's or PhD preferred; certification in a forensic discipline preferred.
• Ten years of full-time forensic laboratory experience with three years in supervision.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate administrative and technical operations of personnel.
• Direct strategic plan, standards, and practices for high-quality forensic laboratory operations.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and SOPs.
• Advise on scientific quality and align with department priorities.
• Assess new techniques and procedures for potential implementation.
• Lead recruitment and workforce planning for laboratory personnel.
• Manage performance, budget, and resources; provide data analyses to executive leadership.
• Develop and authorize professional development and continuing education for staff.
• Oversee audit preparation and continuous quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Quality assurance

Communication

Team management

Forensic science knowledge

Data analysis

Policy & SOP development

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural science, forensic science, or closely related field

Master's or PhD preferred

Forensic certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

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.

• 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.

• 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.

CORI & SORI CHECK REQUIRED

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TEST AND PHYSICAL REQUIRED

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

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

Hours per week: 35