Forensic Technician - Toxicology Bureau (DOH/SLD#11449)

New Mexico Department of Health; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Scientific Laboratory, part of the New Mexico Department of Health, seeks a detail-oriented clerk to support the Forensic Toxicology Bureau in Breath Alcohol, Drug Screening, and Drug Confirmation.

You will handle customer service, process subpoenas and legal requests, assist with laboratory operations, and manage evidence and records while adhering to strict safety and confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of general clerical work and computer operations.
• Ability to work in a safety-sensitive environment.

Responsibilities

• Customer Service: serve as liaison for law enforcement and legal offices via phone, email, and in-person interactions.
• Processing Legal Requests: route subpoenas, coordinate pretrial interview requests, maintain court calendar, prepare discovery orders.
• Laboratory Operations: assist with accessioning evidence, prepping reagents, inventory, purchase orders, and mailing reports.
• Evidence and Records Management: track and organize laboratory evidence and records; Records Liaison Officer.

Skills

Clerical skills

Computer operations

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

Salary

$18.69 - $28.04 Hourly
$38,885 - $58,327 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C3

Posting Details

Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.

The New Mexico Scientific Laboratory is part of the New Mexico Department of Health. It is the State's sole Public Health Laboratory and conducts biological, chemical, and toxicological testing for the State of New Mexico. The Forensic Toxicology Bureau services the State's breath alcohol program, performs toxicology testing for alcohols/volatiles and drugs in driving while intoxicated (DWI) and drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases, as well as a subset of postmortem cases. The Toxicology Bureau also provides expert testimony in a court of law throughout the State of New Mexico.

Why does the job exist?

This position supports and performs functions for all three sections of the Forensic Toxicology Bureau: Breath Alcohol, Drug Screening, and Drug Confirmation.

How does it get done?

• Customer Service: This position will serve as a professional liaison for law enforcement personnel and legal offices via phone, email, and in-person interactions, facilitating smooth judicial proceedings through rigorous support and precise documentation. They will serve as the Forensic Toxicology Bureau's first point of contact for general inquiries. They are responsible for answering phone calls, responding to email inquiries, and processing incoming faxes.
• Processing Legal Requests: This position will be in charge of handling and appropriately routing legal requests submitted to the laboratory by outside entities. Duties include subpoena processing, coordinating pretrial interview requests, maintaining the bureau's court calendar, processing special requests, and preparing discovery orders.
• Laboratory Operations: This position will assist with basic laboratory operations, including accessioning biological evidence, preparing reagents used for laboratory testing, performing inventory, submitting purchase order requests, and mailing out laboratory reports.
• Evidence and Records Management: This position will assist with tracking, organizing, and maintaining laboratory evidence and records in accordance with federal, state, and local mandates. They will serve as a Records Liaison Officer (RLO) for the Forensic Toxicology Bureau.

Who are the customers?

Law enforcement agencies including federal, state, local and tribal agencies as well as the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented and adaptable professional who seamlessly balances administrative operations, laboratory support, and external liaison duties. They bring solid clerical skills and computer proficiency to manage documentation with accuracy, alongside a practical familiarity with the criminal justice system to communicate effectively with law enforcement, courts, and legal counsel. Meticulous and safety-conscious in the laboratory, they safely handle biological and chemical specimens according to strict protocols while staying organized across competing deadlines. A collaborative team player, they communicate politely and professionally, adhere closely to established procedures, and proactively ask clarifying questions to ensure precision.

Minimum Qualification

High school diploma or equivalent. For positions in the Forensic Laboratory, one (1) year experience in general clerical work and computer operations. For positions in the Law Enforcement Records Bureau, one (1) year experience in general clerical work and computer operations.

Employment Requirements

This is a safety sensitive position. Incumbent will be required to pass a preemployment drug screen and is subject to random employment drug testing.
In state and out of state travel may be required. The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate within six (6) months of date of hire.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a fully operational laboratory environment with exposure to biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards. The incumbent must consistently adhere to employer-specified safety precautions and utilize all provided personal protective equipment (PPE). Physical requirements include extended standing and repetitive neck, trunk, arm, and hand movements associated with computer usage, laboratory assays, and testing methodologies. The position involves operating high-voltage electronic instrumentation and handling high-pressure gas cylinders, as well as the ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs. Occasional travel, including overnight stays, is required.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.