Trace Evidence & Crime Lab Validation Technical Director

Position Description

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Trace Evidence & Crime Lab Validation Technical Director Overview:

The Trace Evidence & Crime Lab Validation Technical Director position manages the daily operations of the Trace Evidence Laboratory, manages the Laboratory's budget, and ensures personnel are properly trained. This position also receives, inventories, processes, analyzes, and reports on forensic trace evidence, primarily fire debris evidence and gunshot residue evidence; provides expert testimony in court; operates and maintains laboratory instruments; rigorously follows all safety, technical, and quality assurance / quality control procedures; and ensures the laboratory remains in compliance with all relevant accreditation standards. This position also assists the Crime Laboratory Division Directors with the validation of various methods and equipment and serves as a grants manager for the Crime Laboratory by applying for, monitoring, and documenting all grant-related activities.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides daily management of the Trace Evidence Lab by implementing procedures, supervising staff, and providing performance feedback.

• Receives, inventories, and processes forensic fire debris and gunshot residue evidence; prepares written reports that support analytical findings; testifies to analytical procedures performed.

• Performs technical review of case work to ensure compliance with laboratory procedures and accreditation standards.

• Testifies in court proceedings regarding analytical procedures performed

• Operates SEM and GC-MS instrumentation; performs and documents routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs of associated instrumentation

• Performs safety and quality assurance / quality control duties including serving as a QM liaison; develops and validates new test methods and instrumentation; prepares laboratory reagents; controls and maintains supplies in accordance with laboratory procedures; performs routine laboratory upkeep duties

• Coordinates with the Directors of other Crime Lab disciplines, and the Department's Quality Management Division to plan, manage, and document method and equipment validations to ensure validations are completed in a timely, comprehensive, and unambiguous manner

• Identifies and applies for potential grant opportunities; monitors grant spending and prepares required adjustment notices and required grant reports.

• Coordinates with other Crime Lab Directors to ensure all potential grant funding is applied for.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Ph.D. in a chemical, physical, or biological science; chemical engineering; forensic science, or related field from an accredited university

• Must have minimum of 16 semester credit hours (or equivalent) in college-level chemistry coursework above general coursework from an accredited university and 3 semester credit hours (or equivalent) college-level statistics course

Certifications & Licenses:

• Licensure by the Texas Forensic Science Commission required within 1 year of employment

• American Board of Criminalists (ABC) certification required within 3 years of employment

• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and maintain ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Experience:

• At least 5 years' experience in a forensic laboratory setting with 3 years' experience in GCMS analysis of fire debris evidence for the presence of ignitable liquid residue and the analysis and testing of gunshot residue evidence

• At least 3 years' experience supervising others

Additional Requirements:

• As a public servant, this position employee is expected to adequately prepare for court testimony in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Subpoenas and court orders related to cases worked by the employee shall be followed, even post-employment. The duty to adequately communicate with attorneys and prepare for testimony, which includes a review of the applicable case records, is still expected post-employment

• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and during employment)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Expertise in the analysis and reporting of fire debris evidence and gunshot residue evidence

• Knowledge of advanced theoretical principles and applications of instrumentation (e.g., UV-visible spectrophotometry, headspace GC/FID, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, LC/MS/MS and/or LC/TOF MS, FT-IR, DART-TOF/MS) and laboratory methodologies

• Familiarity with the ISO 17025 standard and the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) forensic testing accreditation program requirements

• Leadership and management skills, strong observation skills, attention to detail

• Strong written and oral communication skills essential for the preparation of written case reports and for court testimony on evidence, analysis results, and drawn conclusions

• Familiarity with safety protocols and hazardous materials handling

• Ability to multi-task and adjust priorities as needed

• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Five (5) years of recent, full-time experience as a fire debris chemist / analyst.

Additional Preferences:

• Membership in a professional forensic organization such as AAFS or ASTEE

• Currently or previously qualified in SEM analysis of gunshot residue evidence

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | 40 hours per week

• Monday

• Friday

• Weekends and evening shifts may be necessary

• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if necessary

Work Environment:

• Office / laboratory setting

Potential Exposures:

• May come in contact with blood and/or blood borne pathogens

• Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals

Physical Demands:

• Requires physical strength to lift and handle large and heavy items of physical evidence, chemical supplies, and laboratory equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds in the routine performance of duties

Reporting Relationships:

• Supervising Others: Yes | Job Titles: Forensic Chemist 1, Forensic Chemist 2

• Reports to: Senior Director, Crime Laboratory

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences

• 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Wellness Plan

• Life Insurance

• Long-term disability

• Employee Assistance Program

• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

• Accrual rates increase based on years of service

• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

01

Do you have a Ph.D. in a chemical, physical, or biological science; chemical engineering; forensic science, or related field from an accredited university?

• Yes

• No

02

Have you completed a minimum of 16 semester credit hours (or equivalent) in college-level chemistry coursework above general coursework from an accredited university and 3 semester credit hours (or equivalent) college-level statistics course?

• Yes

• No

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in a forensic laboratory setting? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than five (5) years

• Five (5) years but less than six (6) years

• Six (6) years but less than seven (7) years

• Seven (7) years or more

• I do not have this experience

05

Please provide details about your verifiable experience in a forensic laboratory setting. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

06

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in GCMS analysis of fire debris evidence for the presence of ignitable liquid residue and the analysis and testing of gunshot residue evidence? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than three (3) years

• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years

• Four (4) years but less than five (5) years

• Five (5) years or more

• I do not have this experience

07

Please provide details about your verifiable experience in GCMS analysis of fire debris evidence for the presence of ignitable liquid residue and the analysis and testing of gunshot residue evidence. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

08

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience supervising others? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than three (3) years

• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years

• Four (4) years but less than five (5) years

• Five (5) years or more

• I do not have this experience

09

Please provide details about your verifiable experience supervising others. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

10

Do you have a minimum of five (5) years of recent, full-time experience as a fire debris chemist / analyst?

• Yes

• No

11

Please provide details about your verifiable recent, full-time experience as a fire debris chemist / analyst. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

12

Are you currently or previously qualified in SEM analysis of gunshot residue evidence?

• Yes

• No

13

Are you a current membership in a professional forensic organization such as AAFS or ASTEE?

• Yes

• No

14

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced

• Intermediate

• Basic

• Entry Level

• Not proficient

15

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License

• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date

• No, I'm not interested

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx