State of Maryland

A Chief Toxicologist, Ante Mortem is the Ph.D. level Toxicologist, formally trained in Pharmacology and Toxicology.  The employee in this classification performs the managerial level of work directing the Maryland State Police Toxicology Laboratory.   The employee in this classification manages the work of all MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisors, MSP Forensic Scientists, and support staff assigned to the blood testing operations of the Toxicology Laboratory as well as the Chemical Test for Alcohol Unit (CTAU) Supervisor, Breath Test Maintenance Technicians, and support staff assigned to the breath testing operations of the Toxicology Laboratory.

The employee in this classification receives managerial supervision from the Forensic Sciences Division Director.  The work is performed in a laboratory setting at the Maryland State Police.  The employee in this classification is required to observe infection control procedures in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the 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 Chief Toxicologist, Ante Mortem is differentiated from the MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisor and the CTAU Supervisor in that the Chief Toxicologist, Ante Mortem performs the full range of managerial duties in the Toxicology Laboratory while the MSP Forensic Scientist Supervisor supervises the MSP Forensic Scientists and support staff responsible for the blood testing operations of the Toxicology Laboratory and the CTAU Supervisor supervises the Breath Test Maintenance Technicians and support staff responsible for the breath testing operations of the Toxicology Laboratory.

Oversees the State Alcohol and Drug Testing Program in accordance with Maryland Vehicle law, Court and Judicial Proceedings Article, Motor Vehicle Laws 10. 301-309, Annotated Code of Maryland;

Plans, directs and administers all operations of the Toxicology Laboratory in the Maryland State Police;

Establishes the policies and procedures of the Toxicology Laboratory and ensures that these policies and procedures are correctly followed;

Reviews laboratory data and certifies results;

Oversees and manages the personnel assigned to the Toxicology Laboratory;

Provides expert opinions and issues analytical reports on impaired driving investigations to criminal investigators and Attorneys;

Provides expert testimony in forensic toxicology in court on impaired driving investigations;

Performs other related duties.

1. Specific educational and experience requirements are set by the agency based on the essential job functions assigned to the position.

2. Candidates appointed to this classification must possess or be eligible for a Ph.D. in a Biological or Chemistry-related science (including Pharmacology or Toxicology) from an accredited college or university.

Class Descriptions 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.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as 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 from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.