Crime Laboratory Director, Sheriff

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Crime Laboratory Director provides overall technical and administrative direction to the Scientific Services Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The Director establishes and monitors bureau operating policies, ensures laboratory quality standards and accreditation, evaluates forensic science procedures, and approves the adoption of new methods. The role also directs research into scientific criminal investigation methods and maintains working relationships with law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, medical examiner-coroner offices, and forensic science organizations. The Director oversees personnel matters, including grievance review, investigations, discipline, mentoring, and employee development. The position ensures bureau operations comply with applicable laws, scientific standards, best practices, Department rules, and law enforcement procedures; manages budgetary limits and grant and contractual obligations; and takes immediate charge of bureau activities during major emergencies or unusually complex problems. Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in chemistry, criminalistics, biology, biochemistry, toxicology, or another closely related field.
Five years of experience in forensic science, including two years of administrative responsibility involving program management, budget planning and preparation, and personnel selection in a forensic science laboratory at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff.
Valid California Class C Driver License, or the ability to use an alternate method of transportation when needed for job-related essential duties.
Submit acceptable official degree documentation showing the area of specialization at the time of filing or within seven calendar days after filing; unofficial transcripts are not accepted.
Complete a supplemental questionnaire, including a pre-investigative questionnaire used in the background investigation.
Successfully complete a thorough background investigation, including a fingerprint search.
Be willing to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

Forensic science experience beyond the minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

Review, revise, and establish laboratory policies and procedures to ensure quality standards and maintain accreditation.
Provide overall technical and administrative direction to the Scientific Services Bureau.
Develop, implement, and track compliance with bureau operating policies.
Evaluate forensic science procedures and approve adoption of new methods.
Direct research into new methods, procedures, and techniques for scientific criminal investigation.
Establish and maintain working relationships with Sheriff’s Department units, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, courts, criminal justice agencies, and forensic science organizations.
Consult with police officers, attorneys, judges, private experts, and scientific associations on forensic science matters.
Review employee grievances or conduct investigations that can be resolved at the bureau level, or forward them to a higher divisional or regional executive; recommend and implement discipline; and provide guidance and mentoring to address deficiencies.
Develop employees for higher-level positions and meet bureau staffing needs.
Ensure bureau activities comply with laws, scientific standards and best practices, Department rules and regulations, and established law enforcement practices and procedures.
Ensure the bureau operates within budgetary limits, including overtime expenditures, and meets grant and contractual obligations.
Take immediate charge of bureau activities at major emergency scenes or when unusually complex problems arise.