State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of the toxicology, controlled substance and chemistry units operations which is responsible for the analysis of autopsy specimens, body fluids, analysis for poison and drugs, breath alcohol analysis, solid dose drug analysis, arson and gunshot residue.

Receives administrative direction from the Deputy Director of Toxicology, Controlled Substances and Chemistry or other administrative official of higher grade.

Assists with directing staff and operations of the toxicology, controlled substance and chemistry units.

• Assists with directing staff and operations of the toxicology, controlled substance, chemistry, instrumentation and breath alcohol units;
• Assists in coordinating, planning and managing division activities;
• Assists in formulating program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policies and procedures of section in conjunction with the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) or current laboratory accrediting body and the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC 17025);
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Assists with preparing section budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
• Assists with determining laboratory techniques and procedures necessary to examine specimens and samples submitted;
• Assists with development of security and control procedures;
• Assists with research and new methodology and modifies existing technology;
• Oversees grant administration;
• Coordinates preparation for section annual audits;
• Ensures planning and maintenance of professional development and training requirements;
• Acts for the Deputy Director in their absence; 
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May provide expert testimony;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • theory, principles and practices of analytical chemistry, spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry;
  • techniques of biochemical and toxicological analyses;
  • physical, physiological and pharmacological effects of poisons and absorption, storage and elimination;
  • principles and practices of forensic science;
  • quality management principles and process improvement techniques;
• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) computer software;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written skills; 
• Ability to interpret findings and defend results.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material with expertise in at least one (1) of the following forensic disciplines: toxicology, controlled substance and/or chemistry units.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a lead capacity guiding the activities of professional forensic science laboratory personnel.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Forensic Science Examiner 2.

• College training in forensic science, criminalistics, clinical or forensic toxicology, chemistry, biology, forensic psychology or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
  
• A Master’s degree in forensic science, criminalistics, chemistry, biology, forensic psychology, clinical or forensic toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  
• A Ph.D. in clinical or forensic toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be conducted before persons are certified for appointment.