Forensic Chemistry Supervisor

Soft Tox; Henderson (NV); On-site; USD 94,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four-day workweek

PERS retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Deferred compensation matching

Job summary

City of Henderson is seeking a Forensic Chemistry Supervisor to oversee the Forensic Toxicology and Seized Drug Units in the Henderson Police Department Forensic Laboratory. The role requires strong leadership, extensive toxicology experience, and accuracy in analytical results.

The candidate will manage method development, validation, quality assurance, and staffing while supporting a four-day workweek and comprehensive benefits as part of the City’s compensation package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a natural science with chemistry coursework.
• 5+ years of full-time lab experience including toxicology and drug chemistry analyses.
• Experience with ISO/IEC 17025 or ABFT/SAFL accreditation environments.
• Ability to interpret forensic toxicology results and validate methods.
• Experience with calibration, SOPs, and instrument troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate activities of the Forensic Toxicology and Seized Drug Units.
• Lead staff development, training, performance evaluations, and mentoring.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and quality assurance programs.
• Oversee method development, validation, and interpretation of forensic results.

Skills

Toxicology expertise

Drug analysis

Laboratory operations

Leadership & supervision

Training & mentoring

Performance evaluation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science/Toxicology

Five years lab experience

Tools

GC/MS

LC/MS

FTIR

ELISA

Job description

Salary: $93,688.90 - $140,533.34 Annually

Application Deadline: N/A

Forensic Toxicology

The City of Henderson announces an examination to create an eligibility list and to fill one (1) vacancy for the classification of Forensic Chemistry Supervisor in the PoliceDepartment. The eligibility list may be utilized to fill vacancies for this classification for up to one (1) year.

Under general supervision, plans, directs, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Forensic Toxicology and Seized Drug Units within the Chemistry Section of the Henderson Police Department Forensic Laboratory; and performs related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess:

• Extensive experience in toxicology, drug analysis, and forensic laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills, including personnel management, training, mentoring, performance evaluation, and staff development.
• Strong technical expertise in analytical instrumentation, method development, validation, and interpretation of forensic results.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements, quality assurance, and laboratory compliance.
• Ability to plan, direct, and prioritize laboratory operations, manage resources, and maintain operational efficiency.
• Hands-on technical experience troubleshooting instrumentation, developing procedures, and implementing forensic testing capabilities.
• Commitment to scientific integrity, employee safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Salary and Benefits: The City of Henderson offers a competitive compensation package that includes a four-day workweek, retirement benefits through Nevada PERS, tuition reimbursement, deferred compensation matching, and more.

Salary placement for non-represented positions is based on a comprehensive compensation review and takes into consideration the candidate's qualifications as well as internal equity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a Natural Science, Criminalistics, Toxicology, or a closely related field, which included coursework in chemistry or analytical chemistry
• Five (5) years of full-time practical experience working in a laboratory conducting scientific laboratory analyses. Experience must include: court testimony experience as an expert witness and professional research; experience interpreting forensic toxicology and drug chemistry results; method development and method validation in a toxicology, blood/alcohol, and drug chemistry lab; and servicing and troubleshooting related analytical instruments; experience of direct case work using the following: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS), Liquid Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR & IR) Spectrometer
• Experience in an ISO/IEC 17025 based FQS/ACLASS or ASCLD/LAB-International accredited forensic laboratory; or ABFT accredited forensic toxicology laboratory
• Operational forensic laboratory experience calculating measurement of uncertainty in regard to blood alcohol, toxicology, and drug chemistry analysis; experience developing analytical and administrative laboratory SOPs and policies for operational forensic laboratories; and related experience as a LIMS user and administrator
• Must be eligible to obtain Board Certification through the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) and full membership in the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) within one (1) year of appointment.
• Must maintain active membership in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
• Must be a court-qualified expert in forensic toxicology and chemistry and remain qualified to testify as an expert witness in Forensic Toxicology and Forensic Chemistry for the duration of employment
• Must possess and maintain a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483
• Must pass a nationwide fingerprint-based record check, and a wants/warrants check
• Must obtain and maintain Security Awareness and National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Nevada Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) certification upon hire/transfer and recertify as needed. Must maintain certifications in NCIC/NCJIS as a condition of continued employment.
• Desirable: Master's degree, or higher, in forensic toxicology, pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry, forensic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, microbiology, or biology
• Desirable: American Board of Forensic Toxicology Certification