Employment Opportunities
See Below for Detailed Information for Each Posting
Forensic Toxicology Lab Director
Medical Examiner’s Office
Hourly Range: $55.63 – $83.43
The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office investigates sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths, and determines the cause and manner of death. The goal of the Toxicology Laboratory is to provide high quality timely analysis to assist the Medical Examiner’s Office in determination of cause and manner of death.
Job Summary: The Forensic Toxicology Lab Director, is responsible for implementing quality assurance measures and management systems for the operation and administration of the laboratory to ensure compliance with ANAB-ABFT and ISO 17025 laboratory accreditation guidelines as well as the NAME accreditation standards. The Director is required to remain accessible to personnel at all levels and must remain familiar with details of laboratory systems and quality metrics.
Job Responsibilities:
- Provide senior strategic leadership and promote all aspects of the Medical Examiner’s Office Forensic Toxicology laboratory mission, including delivering high quality lab results, innovation, and growth. Ensure new technologies meet the needs of complex prescription and illicit drug environment. Attend all appropriate department meetings. Maintain knowledge and education on new and emerging drug trends through networking, attending national and regional conferences, and reviewing scientific literature. Drive innovative quality improvement solutions.
- Supervise, review, and delegate job responsibilities. Ensure reliability of results are maintained within staffing structure. Maintain proficiency testing requirements within College of American Pathology (CAP), Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and Pennsylvania State Laboratory of Hygiene (PSLH) or other external quality assurance program as required. Investigate failures for compliance and institute correction action solutions. Manage accreditation guidelines and toxicology report production. Direct the purchasing of materials. Conduct annual personnel evaluations and manage staff as needed. Manage quality control for assay and instrument systems. Build and update Standard Operating Procedures for assays and instrumentation.
- Develop and maintain active and effective quality management and improvement program with a focus on delivery of accurate timely results, and client satisfaction. Quality system is required to comply with ISO 17025 guidelines for accreditation requirements.
- Provide oversight for educational activities, including continuing education opportunities, a curriculum for staff, forensic pathology fellows, pathology residents, undergraduate students, and other learners. Participate in Forensic Pathology Fellowship education.
- Collaborate with the Chief Medical Examiner, Information Management Services Division, and Milwaukee County Human Resources to maintain personnel files/records, administer performance reviews, performance improvement plans, corrective action, and employee relation matters, including involvement with recruitment.
- Testify in court trials and inquests as factual or expert witness. Maintain knowledge of Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), American Standards Board (ASB), and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to provide expert court testimony based on best practices, guidelines, and forensic standards.
- Participate in department approved research activities including preparation, presentations, and publication of findings.
- Integrate new technology and equipment into the laboratory. This includes the development of validation protocols and the review of validation data.
- Perform all laboratory director duties as required by ABFT/ ANAB and NAME. Assure the laboratory meets all accreditation regulations and requirements of accreditation agencies and Milwaukee County. Ensure that an up-to-date policies and procedures manual is available to all personnel responsible for testing.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Authorized to work in the United States; Wisconsin residency within six (6) months of hire date.
- Current valid driver’s license maintained throughout employment.
- Must be or eligible to become board certified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or a similar certifying board to meet the CLIA requirements for a Laboratory Director.
- Candidates with any of the following combination of education and experience will qualify:
- Ph.D. in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least three (3) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
- Master’s degree in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least five (5) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Toxicology chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline with at least seven (7) years of experience in a toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, clinical pathology, or related field.
- Board-certified medical doctors with specialty training in clinical pathology/anatomic, and toxicology with at least three (3) years of experience will be considered.
- In addition, candidates must have at least three (3) years of supervisory and/or management experience.
- Intermediate knowledge and experience in use of Microsoft Office Software, specifically Word and Excel.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25lbs.
- Note: Position requires a criminal background check; felony and some misdemeanor convictions would be a barrier to employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the methods, principles, and practices of a forensic toxicology laboratory; skilled in the use of computer word processing applications; interviewing and report writing skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to hear and see to perform work safely; ability to stand, sit, or move for long periods of time; ability to work in an environment which may include unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells; and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others; ability to maintain sensitive or confidential information.
NOTE: This Original application is open to qualified residents of the United States. Appointee must establish Wisconsin State residency within six (6) months of starting date. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION
Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.
Forensic Toxicologist or Trainee – Toxicology – Western Laboratory – CF770
- 5011645
- Roanoke, Virginia, United States
- Department of Forensic Science
- Applied Sciences and Natural Resources
- Full-Time (Salaried)
- Department of Forensic Science
Title: Forensic Toxicologist or Trainee – Toxicology – Western Laboratory – CF770
State Role Title: Scientist III
Hiring Range: $87,053 – $116,660
Pay Band: 6
Agency: Department of Forensic Science
Location: Western Lab
Agency Website: https://dfs.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public – G
Job Duties
This is a re-advertisement; previous applicants will need to re-apply to be considered.
Ph.D. graduates or candidates with a projected award date no later than July 1, 2024, are encouraged to apply. See Trainee section below for details.
This vacancy posting will fill one position at the Western Laboratory located in Roanoke, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science is also filling one Forensic Toxicologist or Trainee position at the Central Laboratory. Positions for each Laboratory are posted separately, you must apply directly to each position that you would like to be considered for employment.
The Virginia Department of Forensic Science (DFS) is seeking a qualified Forensic Toxicologist to perform postmortem and human performance toxicology testing and provide testimony about the effects of alcohol and/or drugs on human performance and behavior in the Western Laboratory, located in Roanoke, Virginia. The candidate will independently analyze human fluids and tissues in postmortem, DUI/DUID and other criminal cases using chemical and instrumental methodologies, critically evaluate data, prepare and issue Certificates of Analysis, and interpret and defend results in courts of law. Frequent travel, occasionally overnight, is required and employee will provide own transportation as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ph.D. in toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related scientific field
- Education shall include general and organic chemistry with at least one course related to analytical science (e.g., analytical chemistry, quantitative analysis or mass spectrometry) and one course or supplemental training related to understanding the physiological effects of alcohol, drugs, and/or other substances (e.g., forensic toxicology, pharmacology, or medicinal chemistry)
- Employment experience in a forensic toxicology laboratory, to include successful completion of a documented training program from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited private, local, state, or federal forensic science laboratory and demonstration of competency
- Independent knowledge of the theoretical principles and applications of instrumentation and methodologies used to analyze specimens submitted to the laboratory
- Documented training and demonstrated knowledge to the effects of alcohol and/or drugs on human performance and behavior
- Experience working in an accredited forensic science laboratory and/or familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ANAB accreditation criteria
- Professional experience using basic laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation (i.e., immunoassay, HPLC, GC/MS, GC/FID, GC/NPD and LC/MS/MS) to identify alcohol and/or drugs in biological samples
- Knowledge, skills, and ability to testify in court through experience and/or training
- Ability to work independently, set priorities, work efficiently, keep accurate records, accurately analyze samples, correctly interpret data and develop reasonable conclusions
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Knowledge of laboratory safety and quality assurance/quality control procedures
- Valid driver’s license and/or other means of reliable transportation
Additional Considerations
- Certification or eligibility for certification as a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology
- Trained to provide expert witness courtroom testimony and experience preparing and presenting exhibits of evidence, both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
- Experience in forensic related teaching/training
Trainee:
If a Forensic Toxicologist candidate does not meet all the required qualifications, a Forensic Toxicologist Trainee position may be offered to the most suitable candidate with a salary of $73,492. The selected candidate will be expected to successfully complete a Forensic Toxicologist Trainee training program. Upon successful completion of Forensic Toxicologist training program, the trainee’s salary will be established within the salary range for a qualified Forensic Toxicologist. The training will last approximately 18 months, dependent upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. The Trainee must meet the degree requirements stated in the minimum qualifications.
A successful Forensic Toxicologist Trainee will have competencies that include attention to detail, critical thinking, analytical, deductive reasoning, problem solving, observation, and time management skills.
Trainee Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related scientific field
- Applications will be considered from individuals who will receive their Ph.D. within approximately 3 months of filing their application. Before employment can be considered, verification of the degree, or confirmation from the graduate program of expected completion of the degree, is required. The selected candidate must have been awarded the degree by the start of employment
- Ability to maintain accurate records, analyze and interpret data, manage multiple tasks efficiently, establish work priorities, and develop sound conclusions from analyses
- Possess good oral and written communication skills
- Valid driver’s license and/or other means of reliable transportation
Trainee Additional Considerations:
- Coursework or supplemental training related to understanding the physiological effects of alcohol, drugs, and/or other substances (e.g., forensic toxicology, pharmacology, toxicology, or medicinal chemistry)
- Experience in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited private, local, state, or federal forensic science laboratory (employment and/or internship)
- Experience using basic laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation (i.e., immunoassay, HPLC, GC/MS, GC/FID, GC/NPD and LC/MS/MS)
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.
The Department of Forensic Science is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is V3 Virginia Values Veterans certified. The Department strictly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Applications for this position must be submitted electronically, through this website, no later than the position’s closing date stated in the announcement. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume and required transcripts (if applicable).
Applicants needing accommodations during the application and/or interview process may contact the Human Resource office at 804-786-0150 or dfshumanresource@dfs.virginia.gov for additional information. Auxiliary Aids and Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
DFS does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Probationary Period: This position requires an 18-month probationary period. If you are a current Commonwealth of Virginia employee, this position requires a new probationary period be served.
Background Investigation: Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a background investigation to include a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Selected candidate(s) must provide a DNA sample via a buccal swab (saliva sample) and successfully pass a drug test. Reference checks will be conducted to include contact with current and previous supervisors.
Employment Eligibility Verification: DFS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Contact Information
Name: Alanna Meekins
Phone: (804) 588 – 4010
Email: alanna.meekins@dfs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer