LABORATORY DIRECTOR - SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR

State-of-Illinois; Morton (IL); On-site; USD 112,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Sick leave

Holiday pay

Job summary

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Forensics Science seeks a detail‑oriented Senior Public Service Administrator, Laboratory Director to oversee the Morton Forensic Science Laboratory. This role directs all case analysis, major reviews, and ensures quality assurance while coordinating with law enforcement and legal partners.

Essential duties include planning staff guidance, resolving operational issues, and maintaining strong relations with state and federal officials.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college education.
• Requires four years of progressive administrative experience.
• Requires two years supervisory work in a forensic laboratory or law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Direct Morton Forensic Science Laboratory operations.
• Manage case analysis and major case reviews.
• Monitor quality assurance activities.
• Plan, guide, and schedule staff to meet goals.
• Identify and resolve operational issues.
• Maintain relations with law enforcement and legal officials.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Forensic science knowledge

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in forensic sciences

Master's degree in related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

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LABORATORY DIRECTOR - SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,000 - $12,000 monthly. Job Type: Salaried. Category: Full Time. Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm. Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office. Headquarter Location: 1810 S Main St, Morton, Illinois, 61550-2912. Work County: Tazewell.

This is a Merit Comp Position (Non-Union)

Position Overview:

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Forensics Science is seeking a detail‑oriented and service‑focused Senior Public Service Administrator, Laboratory Director to join our team. This position serves as Director of the Morton Forensic Science Laboratory, overseeing all case analysis and major case reviews. Monitors quality assurance activities and ensures laboratory operations meet program goals and priorities set by upper management. Plans and guides the work of subordinates, identifies and resolves operational issues, and maintains strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies, state’s attorneys, and other state and federal officials. ISP encourages all those who qualify to apply!

The Illinois State Police offers a robust benefit package including:

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre‑tax benefit programs.
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually.
• Ten to twenty‑five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service.
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro‑rated based on start date.
• Thirteen‑Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger and something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home. No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule and flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top‑tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Performs highly responsible professional duties as director of the Morton Forensic Science Laboratory.
• Manages case analysis, coordinates major case reviews, and all cases within the laboratory.
• Monitors the results of all quality assurance activities.
• Develops, plans, and schedules for guidance of subordinates for the accomplishment of work to meet program goals, objectives, and priorities established by upper management.
• Identifies and resolves problems.
• Maintains a favorable working relationship with law enforcement agencies, states' attorneys, and other elected state and federal officials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Requires two (2) years of professional supervisory work experience in a forensic science laboratory setting or law enforcement organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers a Bachelor's degree in one of the biological, chemical, physical, natural or forensic sciences
• Prefers at least five (5) years of professional forensic science work experience such as would be gained at the advanced caseworker level.
• Prefers at least four (4) years of professional, supervisory forensic science work experience.
• Prefers at least four (4) years of work experience applying State, Federal, and local criminal laws and regulations as they relate to the forensic examination and chain‑of‑custody of forensic evidence.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of work experience in developing, implementing, and enforcing policies, procedures, and quality standards for a forensic science laboratory.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of work experience triaging forensic evidence submission and casework approach accounting for the various forensic science laboratory services provided and the different disciplines’ examination techniques.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of work experience in the principles and practices of public and business administration including labor and hiring.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of work experience in maintaining a laboratory budget, reconciling accounts, and developing program budgeting.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of work experience in developing scientific research efforts, new procedures, and/or training as it relates to the field of forensic science.
• Prefers a Master's degree with coursework in one of the biological, natural, physical, forensic sciences or related discipline.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of initial and on‑going, random, alcohol and drug screens.
• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Successful completion of a polygraph examination.
• Ability to maintain credibility in providing courtroom testimony.
• Ability to adhere to Illinois State Police's ethical standards.
• Ability to adhere to Illinois State Police's policies and procedures.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Ability to maintain proficiency in forensic science casework on an as‑needed basis.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A‑101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15‑09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois State Police strives for excellence seeking to be one of the premiere policing agencies in the country. Our core values are Integrity, Service, and Pride. We are seeking individuals with similar values to join us on our mission to promote public safety.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: