Police Toxicologist

The City of El Paso Texas; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and health insurance

Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability

Tuition Assistance Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Wellness Program

Job summary

The City of El Paso is seeking a qualified individual to supervise the forensic breath alcohol laboratory and oversee breath alcohol testing programs, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state directives. You will train operators, calibrate instruments, prepare reports, and respond to subpoenas with expert testimony in court.

Responsibilities include maintaining records, coordinating with the Scientific Director, and participating in budget planning and continuing education to retain required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Medical Sciences, Forensic Science or related field.
• Minimum of 18 credit hours in chemistry for non-chemistry degrees and two years of professional analytical lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee breath alcohol testing program laboratory procedures and operator training.
• Prepare and verify alcohol solutions and technical reports to meet state requirements.
• Testify as an expert witness to the program's integrity in court.
• Maintain records, operator certificates, and instrument maintenance documents per laws and rules.
• Provide input on budget, order supplies, and attend continuing education for licenses and certifications.

Skills

Analytical laboratory skills

Expert witness testimony

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biology/Biochemistry/Toxicology/Medical Sciences/Forensic Science or related field

18 chemistry credits (for non-chemistry degrees)

Tools

Breath alcohol testing instruments

Job description

MOS Code: 43T1F (Air Force)

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree or higher, in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Medical Sciences, Forensic Science or a related field with a minimum of (18) credit hours in chemistry (for non-chemistry degrees), and two (2) years of professional experience in analytical laboratory work.

Requirements

MOS Code: 43T1F (Air Force)

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree or higher, in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Medical Sciences, Forensic Science or a related field with a minimum of (18) credit hours in chemistry (for non-chemistry degrees), and two (2) years of professional experience in analytical laboratory work.

Licenses & Certificates

Texas Department of Public Safety Technical Supervisor certification within one (1) year of appointment. Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or equivalent from another state by time of appointment.

General Purpose

Under direction, assist in the supervision and operation of the forensic breath alcohol laboratory and breath alcohol testing program; provide scientific support for law enforcement actions in the area of alcohol toxicology.

Typical Duties

Oversee breath alcohol testing program laboratory procedures, operator training and serve as an expert witness to the integrity of the program in a court of law: Involves: Inspect, repair, calibrate and maintain certified breath testing instruments to ensure proper operation; prepare and verify alcohol solutions and technical reports to conform with State requirements. Ensure compliance with directives from the Scientific Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Conduct and teach breath test operator training classes and administer certification tests for annual operator renewals. Respond to court subpoenas and provide expert testimony in court regarding all aspects of the breath alcohol testing program including the reliability of test results and the physiology of alcohol metabolism. As records custodian, review and maintain all breath test records, operator certificates, instrument maintenance records and related program administration documents in accordance with federal, state, and municipal laws, regulations and rules.

Perform duties of co-workers as necessary to ensure continuity of operations during absences. Advise supervisor in a timely manner of situations or issues that have or could lead to deviation from expected results and recommend appropriate solutions or options. Work cooperatively with other law enforcement or regulatory agencies. Provide input in the budget development process, request quotations and order supplies. Attend continuing education to maintain required licenses and certifications.

General Information

Test information: November 10, 2026

Benefits

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of El Paso is a self-insured entity with a third-party administrator for Medical and Pharmacy benefits. Basic Life Insurance Coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. Additional Life Insurance and coverage for your dependents are also available.

Employees can select optional Dental, Vision, and Short Term Disability coverage. Employees also have the option to participate in a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account (healthcare and/or dependent care for daycare expenses). All of these insurance and coverage options can be configured within a month of your new employee orientation date.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to mental health sessions, therapy, and more is available at no cost. A trained counselors are also available to help you and your dependents cope with life's stressors so that you can live a happy productive lifestyle.

The City's Wellness Program seeks to promote better health and wellness amongst the workforce through various programs and incentives in which employees may choose to participate in, to include wellness education, fitness tests, biometric screenings, group fitness, health coaching and so much more!

Keep Learning, Growing & Reinventing Yourself! The City of El Paso's Tuition Assistance Program encourages employee personal and professional development by sharing educational costs with those employees who have successfully completed their original probation, and in turn retain a skillful workforce. Each year, employees can obtain Tuition Assistance for Degree, Certifications, Continuing Education, and Books & Equipment.

ELIGIBILITY FOR VACATION LEAVE

All regular employees who are regularly scheduled to work on an average, a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week, who have held a position in the City Service for a period of six months from date of employment, shall be eligible for vacation allowance as hereinafter set forth. Part-time employees shall accrue vacation leave at a pro-rated amount of full-time entitlement based on the number of hours that they are scheduled to work. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements shall accrue vacation as provided in the applicable agreement.

For 0 - 5 Years Of Service (12 Days)

Regular employees in the City Service shall accrue vacation credit at the following rates per pay period, calculated from the date of employment of each employee:

40 hour per week employees - 3.70 hours per biweekly pay period

For >5 to 15 years of service (17 days):

40 hour per week employees - 5.24 hours per biweekly pay period

For >15 or more years of service (20 days):

40 hour per week employees - 6.16 hours per biweekly pay period

SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Employees shall be entitled to accrue sick leave with pay in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Service Commission.

ACCIDENT WITH PAY LEAVE

The Amended Section 4.4 of the Ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and shall apply to occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring on and after date of adoption. Occupational injuries and occupational diseases occurring before such date will be governed by the Ordinance in effect at the time of the date of injury or disease.

PREGNANCY LEAVE

• Pregnancy shall be treated the same as any other temporary physical disability.
• An employee on pregnancy leave shall use accumulated and unused regular sick leave time and then (unless granted use of special sick leave) shall be on leave without pay, unless the employee chooses to use any accumulated and unused annual leave.
• An employee going on pregnancy leave shall give written notice to her department head with appropriate medical verification. Before returning to work from pregnancy leave, the individual will provide appropriate medical documentation releasing the employee to return to work, as is required for any individual who has been on leave for a temporary physical disability.

LEGAL HOLIDAYS

• First day of January (New Year's Day)
• Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Holiday)
• Thirty-first day in March (Cesar Chavez Day)
• Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• Fourth day of July (Independence Day)
• First Monday in September (Labor Day)
• Eleventh Day in November (Veteran's Day)
• Fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
• The Friday following the fourth Thursday in November (Day after Thanksgiving)
• Twenty-fifth Day in December (Christmas Day)
• Employee's Birthday

• In addition to the above days, the following days are also declared to be legal holidays: 1. Any day designated as a holiday by City Council. 2. When any legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be considered a legal holiday. 3. When any legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following business day shall be considered a legal holiday.