State of Maryland

An MSP Forensic Scientist Manager is first of three managerial levels of work in the chemical, biological, pattern, or trace analysis of criminal evidence in the Forensic Sciences Division of the Maryland State Police (MSP).  Employees in this classification supervise MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisors.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the MSP Deputy Director, Forensic Sciences or other designated administrator.  Work may be performed in a laboratory setting or at crime scenes located throughout the State.  Employees in this classification may be required to work overtime.  Employees are subject to call in on a 24-hour basis.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The MSP Forensic Scientist Manager is differentiated from the MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisor in that the MSP Forensic Scientist Manager has supervisory responsibility for MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisors while the MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level MSP Forensic Scientists.  The MSP Forensic Scientist Manager is differentiated from the MSP Deputy Director, Forensic Sciences in that the MSP Deputy Director, Forensic Sciences assists the MSP Director, Forensic Sciences in the overall operation of the crime laboratory and has supervisory responsibility for MSP Forensic Scientist Managers.

Manages the operation of a section which consists of two or more forensic sciences units (i.e. Controlled Dangerous Substances-CDS Unit, Toxicology Unit, Biology Database Unit, Biology Casework Unit, Firearms/Toolmarks Unit, Latent Print/Impressions Unit, Trace Evidence Unit, Questioned Documents Unit);

Supervises, schedules, assigns and evaluates the work of MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisors;

Manages the enforcement of applicable standards and regulatory requirements for the crime lab;

Reviews logs, quality assurance and quality control problems and recommends solutions;

Prepares or oversees the preparation of standard operating procedures;

Performs specialized technical work in the authentication of criminal evidence;

Assists staff in solving technical problems related to scientific and comparative analyses;

Attends and successfully completes all required competency and certification;

Reviews professional journals and publications and attends seminars, workshops and professional meetings to keep abreast of current trends, research and technological developments;

May prepare scientific reports to document evidence examined, laboratory and comparative analysis methods used and conclusions reached;

May testify in court as an expert witness about the chain of custody, design and results of tests conducted and the conclusions reached;

May design and prepare exhibits of tested physical evidence to be used in court presentations;

May participate in crime scene investigations to gather physical evidence for scientific testing and fact finding;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of college-level biology, chemistry or forensic science technology used in crime laboratories;

Knowledge of crime lab procedures and practices, research methods, analytical instrumentation and equipment as applied to the work in a crime laboratory;

Knowledge of the theory and operation of laboratory chemicals, instruments and equipment used in a crime laboratory;

Knowledge of police investigative procedures concerning physical evidence associated with the commission of a crime;

Knowledge of criminal trial proceedings related to the rules of evidence;

Knowledge of law enforcement investigative procedures related to handling physical evidence;

Skill in supervising lower-level MSP Forensic Scientists;

Skill in understanding and following crime lab procedures and policies;

Skill in conducting analyses, analyzing test data and drawing accurate conclusions;

Skill in the application of standard precautions in handling potentially infectious biological materials or hazardous chemicals;

Ability to manage and coordinate the work of forensic sciences units or field offices in the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Divisions;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, genetics, medical technology, pharmaceutical science, or related physical, natural or forensic science from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Six years of experience in comparative analysis or scientific evaluation of evidence in at least one discipline managed including experience in providing testimony as an expert witness in moot or criminal court. Two years of the above experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience performing comparative analysis or scientific evaluation of evidence to include experience in providing expert testimony on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute additional non-supervisory and supervisory experience at another accredited crime laboratory performing equivalent work, on a year-for-year basis, for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in any of the above referenced disciplines from an accredited college or university for one year of the required non-supervisory experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree in any of the above referenced disciplines from an accredited college or university for two years of the required non-supervisory experience.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, are required to provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to random substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulation 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

3. In accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 2-204 (b) (6) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, candidates for positions in this classification will be subject to an initial drug screening, a physical examination, submission of a DNA sample, and a complete criminal background investigation, to include a polygraph examination before permanent appointment can be made. A criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection of the candidate.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.