Director of Forensic Laboratory Operations Recruitment # 250210-1824MP-001 Location Meriden, CT Date Opened 2/18/2025 08:48:00 AM Salary $135,082 - $184,186/year Job Type Open to Agency Employees Close Date 2/25/2025 11:59:00 PM Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) + + + + Introduction Looking to advance in your career? Check out this excellent opportunity! The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP) (DESPP) is recruiting for a Director of Forensic Laboratory Operations (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1824MP&R1=&R3=) to join our team within the Division of Scientific Services (https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-scientific-services) located in Meriden, CT. POSITION DETAILS This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. This position is onsite, Monday-Friday on first shift. This is a general-funded position located within the Administrative Section of the laboratory that reports to the Division Director. This position will oversee the laboratory technical operations to enhance the cross-sectional analyses in the continually expanding scope and complexity of the forensic laboratory. The Director of Forensic Laboratory Operations will be responsible for ensuring the continuity of operations across the sections of the laboratory ensuring optimal efficiency of analysis. It is also necessary to meet ANAB accreditation standards, requiring a technical individual in the discipline of forensic science. The technically responsibly individual is essential to oversee SOP’s and equipment validation for the laboratory. More details can be found in the class specification and the Examples of Duties section below. We are seeking individuals with a minimum of a master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in forensic science or a closely related field and nine (9) years of professional experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material of which three (3) years of experience in the supervision of the activities of a laboratory section consisting of several specialized units engaged in selecting and conducting highly complex tests to analyze physical evidence. ABOUT US DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. The Division of Scientific Services provides forensic support to local, state and federal agencies throughout Connecticut. This division is divided into three analytical sections. They are the Chemical Analysis section (including toxicology, controlled substances, and chemistry), the Forensic Biology/DNA section, and the Identification section (including computer crimes). The laboratory also has two non-analytical sections which include: the Quality section and the Laboratory Support Services section (including administration, evidence receiving, and case management). For an inside look at how State of Connecticut employees Make an ImpaCT, watch the video below! Selection Plan In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. FOR ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING: Please read (https://www.jobapscloud.com/ct/sup/applicanttips2023november.pdf) or watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8sOb10qYXQ) our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Position-specific: Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: State Employees + Two (2) most recent performance evaluations + Completed CT-HR-13 Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process. Click here (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Statewide-HR/A---Z-Listing-Task-PDFs/Criminal-Convictions---Addendum-to-Application-for-Examination-or-Employment-Form---CT-HR-13.pdf) to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS) by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field. Before you apply: + In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. + The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. + Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system. + All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. + For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit. Important information for after you apply: + This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. + Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. + Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. + For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. + The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Questions about this position should be directed to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov. PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK) In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for directing the State Forensic Science Laboratory, which conducts complex tests and analyses to identify the properties of physical evidence resulting from criminal and civil actions in the state. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES + Directs staff and operations of the State Forensic Science Laboratory; + Coordinates, plans and manages laboratory activities; + Formulates program goals and objectives; + Develops or assists in development of related policy; + Interprets and administers pertinent laws; + Evaluates staff; + Prepares or assists in preparation of laboratory budget; + Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of laboratory who might impact on program activities; + Examines, analyzes and identifies evidence in complex cases; + Conducts crime scene searches and participates in major crime scene investigations; + Trains laboratory staff, police and fire personnel in techniques utilized for gathering and analyzing evidence; + Prepares highly technical reports; + Performs advanced scientific research; + Conducts investigatory conferences with staff; + Meets with attorneys at trial conferences before court appearances to discuss evidence; + Testifies in court as an expert witness; + Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection; + Performs related duties as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY + Considerable knowledge of + and ability to apply management principles and practices; + relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; + principles of serology, immunology, analytical chemistry and related disciplines such as microscopy, spectrophotometry, spectrography and appropriate mathematical techniques; + physiological fluids and their detection, analysis and grouping for purposes of individualization; + examination and analytical procedures for evidentiary materials; + Knowledge of current forensic science literature; + Considerable + interpersonal skills; + oral and written communication skills; + skill in operation of a variety of analytical instrumentation and related photographic techniques. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE A Master's degree in forensic science or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience in the supervision of the activities of a laboratory section consisting of several specialized units engaged in selecting and conducting highly complex tests to analyze physical evidence. NOTE: For state employees supervisory experience is interpreted at the level of a Forensic Science Examiner 3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED A Ph.D. in forensic science or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS + Experience managing forensic grants and procurement procedures; + Experience managing the process of forensic equipment validation and implementation; + Experience interfacing with lawyers, law enforcement and members of the judicial system; + Experience with analysis interpretation; + Experiencing supervising personnel; + Experience testifying in criminal court proceedings; + Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); + Nine (9) years of professional experience in forensics. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS + Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours. + Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application a thorough character investigation of each candidate may be conducted before names are certified for appointment. Candidates who do not have a good character, who have a criminal record or have been dishonorably discharged from any police department, fire department or armed forces of the United States are ineligible. WORKING CONDITIONS Incumbents may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances. Conclusion AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility. Click on a link below to apply for this position: Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online