State Patrol Forensic Laboratory Supervisor

State of Nebraska•Lincoln, NE

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nebraska State Patrol is developing a list of qualified candidates to fill a Forensic Laboratory Supervisor position in the Latent Print Unit as determined by previous experience. The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory has been accredited since 2004 and is located in Lincoln, NE. We provide services to law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Nebraska. We welcome applications from interested forensic scientists/supervisors with previous experience in forensic Latent Print casework. As a member of the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory Latent Print Team, the Forensic Laboratory Supervisor is assigned technical leader responsibilities related to the analysis of latent print casework including the development and implementation of analytical and quality procedures, and the development, mentoring, and supervision of forensic scientists assigned to the Latent Print Section. This position interacts with stakeholders both within and outside the Nebraska State Patrol to provide guidance and technical information needed to serve as a part of the management team within the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory. Critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and excellent written and oral communication are crucial skills in this position. The Forensic Laboratory Supervisor will perform scientific work in the analysis, assessment, and preservation of evidence/samples processed in the assigned laboratory section. Under limited supervision, supervise one or more forensic scientists in the assigned section. The supervision may include management of schedules and work, guidance regarding scientific analyses, personnel issues, prioritization of tasks, and other situations that may arise. Other duties will include: decision making regarding daily operations of the assigned section, the development, writing, and implementation of technical and quality procedures and the structure, organization, and daily operations of the assigned section, providing oral and written reports of validations, research, statistics, or other topics as requested, and employing critical thinking and problem-solving strategies that go beyond concrete concepts to evaluate complicated supervisory and policy related questions.

Requirements

Three years of experience working in a relevant specific discipline in a nationally accredited forensic laboratory or equivalent
Possession of a laboratory Work Authorization in at least one forensic analysis type
Successful completion of at least two proficiency tests
Experience providing testimony in a court setting as a forensic expert in a relevant discipline
Bachelor’s degree in the fields of physical science, natural science, forensic science, criminalistics, or other relevant fields where specific scientific coursework in job-related specialties have been completed
Must possess a valid driver's license
Must complete approved defensive driving class necessary for the use of state vehicles
Must successfully complete an extensive background screening prior to being employed which includes completion of a Personal History Questionnaire
Applicants will be screened for a record of criminal activity and criminal history using a fingerprint-based check
Applicants must be free of felony convictions
Applicants cannot maintain continuous association or dealings with persons, groups, or organizations whom they know, or should know, are persons or groups or organizations under criminal investigation or indictment or who have a reputation for present involvement in felonious or criminal behavior
Knowledge of the principles of chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, genetics, biology, physics, physical and/or other areas of science related to the assigned section
Knowledge of the equipment/instrumentation and material/substances used in state crime laboratory analyses
Knowledge of the methods used to illustrate information and support court testimony
Knowledge of journals, textbooks, and other information resources and their applications to a specific analysis
Knowledge of laboratory reporting procedures
Knowledge of Labor contract agency personnel requirements
Ability to follow laboratory procedures and conduct tests using laboratory equipment/instrumentation and material/chemicals to obtain results
Ability to observe and compare size, shape, quantity, color, small details, and reactions
Ability to interpret observations and record results of analysis of items/substances submitted for examination and arrive at conclusions
Ability to read graphs and charts as a result of instrumentation output
Ability to communicate, orally and in writing, technical information and administrative instructions
Ability to relay knowledge gained and recognize problems encountered by staff supervised
Ability to observe activities of others and communicate directions when necessary
Ability to compile and prepare information for presentations
Ability to adapt theories and principles of natural and physical sciences to problems encountered
Ability to recognize and direct workflow based on previous experience and training
Skill in the selection and use of laboratory equipment/instrumentation and material/chemicals used in conducting analyses of substances/items submitted to the laboratory as part of a criminal case investigation
Skill in identifying the requirements and means of securing evidence
Skill in supervising staff to maintain morale and productivity

Nice To Haves

Experience as a supervisor in an accredited forensic laboratory
Experience providing presentations
Experience testifying in court
Experience hiring personnel
Experience ordering instrumentation/equipment
Experience using a LIMS program

Responsibilities

Technical leader responsibilities related to the analysis of latent print casework
Development and implementation of analytical and quality procedures
Development, mentoring, and supervision of forensic scientists assigned to the Latent Print Section
Interacting with stakeholders both within and outside the Nebraska State Patrol to provide guidance and technical information
Performing scientific work in the analysis, assessment, and preservation of evidence/samples
Supervising one or more forensic scientists in the assigned section
Management of schedules and work for supervised staff
Guidance regarding scientific analyses for supervised staff
Addressing personnel issues for supervised staff
Prioritization of tasks for supervised staff
Decision making regarding daily operations of the assigned section
Development, writing, and implementation of technical and quality procedures
Structuring, organizing, and managing daily operations of the assigned section
Providing oral and written reports of validations, research, statistics, or other topics
Employing critical thinking and problem-solving strategies to evaluate supervisory and policy related questions