Laboratory Supervisor – Forensic Chemist

LABORATORY SUPERVISOR – FORENSIC CHEMIST

Would you like to oversee your own ANAB-accredited lab with 2 staff to help run it? This is a unique opportunity to work on forensics casework which includes seized drugs and blood testing, as well as environmental and clinical testing. In this leadership role, you are part of an Executive Team that aids in community and population health at a governmental local health department.

The Laboratory Supervisor provides leadership, oversight, and administration for the daily operations of the Public Health Laboratory Services Team and analytical work which ensures compliance with all state and federal regulatory agencies. Via collaborative contracts, this position implements, reviews, and maintains all protocols, services, and instruments. Programs include application of forensic chemistry and toxicology for the analysis of forensic samples including biological fluids and other specimen relevant to public health, law enforcement, and court officials and giving expert testimony in court. Additionally, the position supervises and participates in environmental microbiology testing of portable and surface waters and clinical microbiology and serology. The Laboratory Supervisor is also a working supervisor alongside the technical staff to perform test procedures, recording and reporting test results promptly, accurately, and proficiently. This position reports to the Environmental Health Manager.

Kenosha County is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.

2024 Hiring Range: $79,859 – $91,499 annually

Position Summary and Job Duties
Supervision & Leadership
• Provide leadership and management to ensure high-quality work products and timely completion while meeting departmental and team strategic plans and goals
• Conduct quarterly and annual performance evaluations for each team member
• Collaborate with internal/external partners to write grant and contract proposals
• Monitor grant and contract progress, outcomes, and metrics against targets and grant objectives
• Monitor program budgets; understand appropriate use of funds and budget cycles
• Embed equity principles and innovative practices into the division’s culture
• Develop policies and processes that translate mission and vision into action
• Ensure team onboarding, training, development and participation in divisional meetings/activities such as Community Health Improvement Planning (CHIP)
• Identify quality improvement and innovative opportunities to drive strong performance for teams
• Lead and support data and evaluation activities that inform decision-making, resource allocation, improve outcomes, and intervention effectiveness including statistical and activity reports
• Work with communications team for marketing, social media, and website upkeep
• Ensure adherence and compliance to the policies and procedures of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding protected health information
Quality Control & Analytical Instrument Maintenance
• Maintain certifications in all areas of laboratory analysis, including ANAB Accreditation, DNR Certification, CLIA Certification, DEA Controlled Substance Certification, and State of Wisconsin Permits to perform Forensics Testing
• Investigate and apply new analytical techniques for chemical analyses
• Perform annual internal audits
• Evaluate procedures and maintain laboratory quality assurance including maintenance and periodic review of all procedure manuals and documentation
• Review scientific evidence related to public health issues, concerns, interventions, and evidence-based or evidence-informed practices
• Maintain instruments (including but not limited to): Drug Screening Analyzers, GC/FID, GC/MS, FTIR, LC/MS/MS
• Maintain annual calibrations of equipment, including pipettes, balances, centrifuges, diluter dispenser
• Maintain laboratory equipment service contracts
• Assess annual measurement uncertainty calculations
Forensics
• Analyze and confirm toxicology specimens submitted by law enforcement agencies/social workers for seized controlled substances and/or alcohol, including Blood Alcohol and Drug Testing, Urinalysis Program, Urine Drug Confirmations
• Examine and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations using only approved validated methods to independently perform scientific analysis including, but not limited to:
o Analysis of blood and suitable biological specimen for Ethanol concentrations in pursuant of DUI cases as well as the extractions, identification and quantitation of controlled drugs and pharmaceuticals from a variety of biological matrices by instrumental techniques
o Chemical extractions from a variety of evidence types (including legitimate pharmaceutical preparations, illicit pharmaceuticals, powders, plant materials, liquid preparations, and used syringes) and substance identification by instrumental techniques
• Use the laboratory management system to track data and generate reports
• Evaluate and prepare confidential reports to thoroughly document these scientific analyses to form opinions and conclusions and apply statistical analyses of these findings when appropriate
• Maintain the chain of custody and handle items of evidence to ensure admissibility in court proceedings
• Assist law enforcement with evidence collection and storage based upon current laboratory protocol, as necessary
• Perform technical and administrative review of other analyst’s reports, specifically in the forensics discipline
• Participate in proficiency testing programs
• Testify in the court of law as an expert witness, as well as maintain communication with the circuit and municipal court
Environmental and Clinical Testing
• Perform environmental testing of public and private well water for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and fluoride; beach water testing for E. Coli; and spore testing
• Participate in the laboratory clinical testing program of Syphilis Serology Testing, packaging, and shipping clinical specimens to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH)
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

Success Factors
Knowledge of:
• Principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of laboratory work, particularly related to forensic science
• Basic principles of chemistry (general and analytical), basic biology, and/or microbiology
• Mechanical aptitude and knowledge to maintain and repair laboratory equipment
• Safety procedures for handling hazardous chemicals, unknown substances, and instrumentation
• CLIA, ANAB, and DNR standards and requirements, and how they pertain to maintaining laboratory certifications
• Cultural competency: supporting diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
• Local governmental public health programs, practices, and responsibilities

Skill in:
• Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting GC/FID, GC/MS, LC/MS/MS and FTIR Instrumentation
• Utilizing laboratory management software to maintain records and report data
• Validating new instrumentation and creating reports based on accreditation standards
• Conflict resolution and difficult conversations
• Critical thinking, systems thinking, analysis, problem-solving and sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication for reports, grant proposals, networking, effective presentations to varying groups, and testifying as an expert witness
• Quality improvement processes
• Program and project management
• Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Data management systems related to the evaluation of outcomes
• Short- and long-term strategic planning
• Development of program budgets and operating programs within budget

Ability to:
• Examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and identify trends, relationships, and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems
• Effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Effectively work in a team environment that promotes inclusivity, performance improvement and customer satisfaction
• Always remain professional and courteous, especially in high-pressure situations
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities under pressure
• Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, elected officials, educators and students, the media, health practitioners, community partners, and the public
• Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity
• Articulate and promote a vision for public health
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling professional values and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization; operate with a high degree of flexibility
• Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Biochemistry
• 2+ years of experience in forensic toxicology and/or forensic chemistry

Preferred Education and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or Biochemistry
• 1+ years of experience in laboratory management/supervision
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)
• LC/MS/MS method development knowledge and experience
• Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Licenses and Certifications
• Alcohol and Controlled Substance Permit for WI within 90 days of hire

Other Job Requirements
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Access to a personal vehicle for use in the performance of the job
• Occasional weekend and evening work as required
• Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

Benefits
• Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment, with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The position involves little to moderate physical demands including moving gas cylinders, biohazard containers, and boxes.

Selection Process
• Application Review – Qualifying
• Oral Interview – Qualifying
• Background Check – Qualifying
• Physical Examination/Drug Screen – Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, September 29, 2024.

To learn more about the Kenosha County Public Health, please visit: https://www.kenoshacounty.org/297/Public-Health.

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer. Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is E10 (Min. $76,859 – Max. $106,139 annually).

This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago. To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, please visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

https://www.kenoshacounty.org/jobs

Deadline Note: