Job Specification
CHIEF FORENSIC CHEMIST
DEFINITION:
Under direction, directs the operations, research, activities and staff in a forensic chemistry
laboratory; ensures the proper and timely completion of all laboratory examinations and
analysis; performs other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular
position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely,
all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Supervises and administers the staff and technical analytical operations in a forensic
chemistry laboratory.
Supervises the receipt, storage and preservation of various laboratory specimens, evidence,
tests and examinations.
Determines analytical requirements in routing procedures for physical, optical, chemical,
toxicological and serological examinations.
Plans, directs and coordinates the preparation of exhibits to be used in court proceedings
and appears as an expert witness in court.
Prepares and presents lectures, seminars and instruction courses to law enforcement
agencies and other groups.
Recommends and directs the installation of laboratory practices and procedures.
Oversees designated research tasks and participates in research relative to the forensic
sciences.
Ensures the safety, order and cleanliness of laboratory areas.
Oversees the installation and implementation of new laboratory equipment.
Responsible for the safe keeping of laboratory equipment, materials and supplies and
sees that they are properly used and cared for.
Prepares informative reports of examinations, tests and analyses containing findings and
conclusions.
Prepares budget requests for laboratory personnel, equipment, materials and supplies.
Supervises the preparation and maintenance of essential records and files.
Determines the need for court testimony in necessary cases.
Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for
effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of
employees.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording
and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
or in one of the physical sciences which shall have included a minimum of twenty-four (24)
semester hours in chemistry.
EXPERIENCE:
Six (6) years of experience in an analytic crime or forensic chemistry laboratory conducting
various tests, examinations and analyses; two (2) years of which must have been in a
supervisory capacity over professional staff.
NOTE: Candidates who meet the above Bachelor’s requirement may substitute a Master’s
in Forensic Science for one (1) year of nonsupervisory experience as depicted above.
NOTE: A Master’s degree in Chemistry may be substituted for the above education
requirement and one (1) year of nonsupervisory experience.
NOTE: A Doctorate degree in Chemistry or related physical science may be substituted
for three (3) years of non-supervisory experience.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the
operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential
duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the principles, techniques, equipment and functions of forensic chemistry.
Knowledge of the care and routine maintenance of standard laboratory equipment.
Knowledge of chemical laboratory procedures, techniques, equipment, media, reagents
and supplies used to conduct chemical and related microscopic tests, reports, examinations
and analyses.
Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, procedures and hazards.
Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
Knowledge of the preparation and content of laboratory reports concerning tests,
examinations and analyses.
Knowledge of current research, developments and trends in the field of forensic science.
Ability to direct laboratory operations, research, activities and staff.
Ability to plan, schedule and assign work to employees.
Ability to review results of tests, examinations and analyses made by laboratory staff.
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with technical personnel and law
enforcement officials.
Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of laboratory correspondence and
informative reports of chemical, microchemical and other laboratory examinations,
tests and analyses containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to collect and organize data for use in court proceedings.
Ability to act as an expert witness in court proceedings.
Ability to supervise the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility
for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of
employees.
Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information
systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform
the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as
acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential
functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation
cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons
may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 01131 | | L | C | | N/A | 32 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
9/28/2020 |
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