DRUG CHEMISTRY SECTION TECHNICAL LEAD - Medical Examiner

Tarrant County, TX; Texas; Sur place; USD 65 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Tarrant County's Medical Examiner's Office is seeking an experienced laboratory professional to serve as the technical leader of the Drug Chemistry, Firearms & Toolmarks, and Trace Evidence units. The role involves advanced analysis, reporting, and collaboration with law enforcement, pathologists, and attorneys.

You will stay updated on forensic science advancements, manage supplies, conduct validations, and contribute to audits and quality programs within the laboratory.

Responsabilités

• Performs advanced laboratory duties including collection, analysis, and evaluation of evidence.
• Prepares written reports and provides results to law enforcement, pathologists, and attorneys; testifies in court.
• Manages supplies, reagents, and inventory for the laboratory section.
• Conducts validation studies and implements approved procedures; may participate in independent research.
• Provides technical assistance to law enforcement regarding testing actions.
• Develops and maintains manuals, training documents, and lab procedures with supervisor approval.

Description du poste

Performs advanced-level laboratory professional duties on a daily basis to achieve short- and long-term goals of the Medical Examiner’s Office and serves as the technical leader of the specialized unit. These units include Drug Chemistry, Firearms & Toolmarks, and Trace Evidence.

1. Performs advanced sophisticated collection, analysis, and evaluation of evidence utilizing standardized and industry acceptable techniques.


2. Prepares written reports and provides results to law enforcement agencies, pathologists, and attorneys. Testifies to reported results in court proceedings.


3. Stays updated in technological advancements and trends in the forensic scientific community.


4. Ensures completion of quotes for supplies and reagents, maintains sufficient inventory of supplies needed for workload, and manages the allocated supply resources for the laboratory section.


5. Conducts educational instruction on lab procedures.


6. Conducts validation studies and implements procedures that incorporate the validation results approved by the Technical Leader and Laboratory Director. May participate in independent research.


7. Provides technical assistance to law enforcement agencies regarding the appropriate testing course of action.


8. Develops, modifies, and maintains manuals for training, quality, section-specific documents, controlled forms, and lab procedures with supervisor approval.


9. Performs technical reviews and verifications of casework.


10. Serves as lead scientific technical advisor of the operations of the laboratory section and as a subject matter expert for discipline.


11. Evaluates and documents approval of validations, performance verifications, and methods used by the laboratory and proposes new or modified analytical procedures to be used by analysts.


12. Evaluates requests for deviation from procedure within the section and determines that a requested deviation from protocol is technically justified before approval.


13. Performs routine preventative maintenance on equipment and quality control procedures; initiates service calls for repair of instrumentation and equipment; ensures completion of quality logs for calibrations, repairs, and daily maintenance; ensures completion of logbooks for reagent prep and QC standards and controls; approves critical items affecting the quality of testing; and verifies any items received are appropriate and suitable for use.


14. Updates section protocols.


15. May generate laboratory statistics and monthly billing summaries to Business Office.


16. Assists the Laboratory Director in producing internal and external audit responses for any nonconformances. Works with Laboratory Director to comply with laboratory accreditation requirements.


17. Maintains section waste handling and required documentation.


18. Performs other related duties involved in the operation of the Medical Examiner’s Office as assigned or required.

• Regular attendance is essential.


• Incumbent must arrive at work on time, prepared to perform assigned duties and work assigned schedule. Incumbent must have the ability to work well with others.


• Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.


• Requested accommodations to work hours and schedules are considered on an individual basis.


• Tarrant County will conduct background checks that will include a criminal background check and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, educational attainment, or additional State or Federal legal requirements.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to bend, carry, use hand tools, use hazardous machinery, keyboard, kneel, lift below the waist, pull, push, reach, perform repetitive tasks, sit, be exposed to solvents, stand, talk, and walk. The hazards associated with this position may include handling physical evidence from evaluating loaded firearms and explosives to dealing with dangerous chemicals and bloodborne pathogens associated with biological evidence and human remains. There is routine exposure to decomposition with odorous specimens and graphic visual situations.