Forensic Scientist Manager

Posting Date
01/09/26

Application Deadline
01/15/26

Pay Range
Min - 1st Quartile - Mix - Max
$93,500.00 - $103,502.80 -$113,505.60 - $133,500.00

Job Type
Unclassified

Department
Sheriff

About the Position

Elevate safety in Maricopa County through your exceptional leadership in forensic science!

Lead a dedicated team of forensic scientists in our state-of-the-art lab. Leverage their expertise to deliver critical evidence, helping detectives solve crimes and secure convictions. Champion justice for victims through timely, accurate analysis.

The Forensic Scientist Manager oversees all aspects of the department's crime lab functions including general and specialized supervision of assigned staff. This position is responsible for performing technical duties in criminal identification work related to the collection, preservation, and identification of physical evidence, both visible and latent, in a variety of laboratory work areas including photography and friction ridge analysis. This Manager develops and maintains efficient procedures and operations pertaining to crime lab functions.

Inspire and mentor a dynamic team of exceptional Forensic Scientists, join us today!

About the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office:

Do you possess integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and do you have a desire to serve your community? We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team with a variety of openings for Civilian, Detention and Sworn personnel. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) invites you to become part of Arizona's leading law enforcement agency where we come together as a team to support and provide public safety.

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Biochemistry, Chemistry, Forensic Science (Criminalistics), or closely related field in a natural science or criminal justice.

Experience

• Eight years of experience in the forensic science field which includes five (5) years of supervisory and/or management experience.

OR

Combined education and experience qualifications

• Other combinations of education or experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year for year basis.

Other requirements

• Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire.
• AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) certification
• JMS (Jail Management System) / JWI (Justice Wed Interface) training
• TOC certification
• IAI (International Association for Identification) certification in at least one forensic discipline.
• Training that may be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS - IS100 and 700; Safety; Payroll; PREA.
• Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all candidates pass an extensive background review, polygraph and a psychological exam.

Our Preferred Candidate has

• Management experience in ANAB or A2LA accredited forensic laboratory.
• Knowledge and/or experience as a quality manager.

Compensation is more than a salary with MCSO:

• Exceptional work-life balance: 4/10 and flex schedules available
• Growth and stability since 1871
• Holidays - 10/year + 1 personal day
• Interdisciplinary team with diverse perspectives
• Lead a team that provides vital forensic services across a vast County
• Enrollment in Arizona State Retirement System
• Paid sick and parental leaves (birth/adoption)
• Access to on-site fitness center and free County gyms
• Learn more at Benefits Overview

Essential Job Tasks

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Supervises and schedules civilian staff assigned to the crime lab, directs and implements the day-to-day assignment of lab service requests, and ensures the timely completion of assigned job duties.
• Assigns and directs staff to ensure completion of processing resulting from major crime scene investigations and analyzes current and future crime lab needs.
• Directs the inventory of all crime lab supplies to ensure all necessary tools and supplies are available for accurate completion of assignments.
• Assists in preparing and managing budget expenditures, and develops and recommends operational improvements, modernizations, and procedures to keep pace with anticipated needs.
• Ensures compliance with court orders; remains current on department rules, regulations and policies as well as laws and codes pertaining to the seizure, security, and processing of property and evidence to maintain overall compliance.
• Manages subordinate supervisory and administrative staff, coaches/counsels, recommends disciplinary action, and implements performance evaluations.
• Develops laboratory policies and procedures, new laboratory techniques and methods, short-term and long-term objectives, and other plans including recommendations for the Scientific Analysis Division budget.
• Plans and participates in the training of staff and ensures a high level of professionalism and skill is maintained for readiness to testify in court as needed.
• Communicates with the general public, other county employees, management, public officials, sworn personnel, attorneys, officers of the court, and vendors.
• Oversees the division regarding quality assurance and communicates issues.
• Liaises with other experts in the field to exchange information on forensic methodologies and standards.
• Instructs and trains others in a classroom setting or on the job.
• Reviews the work product of others to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AZAFIS) procedures, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Arizona Department of Public Safety, and state laws.
• Inspects, monitors, and evaluates equipment, objects, information, and work - related conditions to determine compliance with prescribed operating and safety standards, regulations, and guidelines, including manufacturer's specifications on computerized scientific equipment and national crime laboratory accreditation standards.
• Attends court hearings to provide expert testimony.
• Operates a motor vehicle requiring a standard Arizona Driver's License to respond to crime scenes, attend meetings, and provide court testimony.
• Resolves procedural, operational, and other work-related problems by communicating with subordinates, department and County personnel, other experts in the field, and outside agencies.
• Monitors research projects associated with scientific examinations.
• Comprehends and infers from material including laboratory reports, scientific journals/literature, and testimony transcripts to maintain current expertise in the scientific field and provide the most effective examination of evidence and court testimony.
• Prepares written documents including memos, letters, performance evaluations, procedures, grant applications, and accreditation standards with clearly organized thoughts using scientific symbols, proper sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar.
• Manages overall planning and oversight of department administrative functions.
• Assists in processing and investigating crime scenes as needed to record, document, and collect physical evidence including latent print, biological and trace evidence.
• Performs additional projects as assigned.

Working Conditions

Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

The following environments described are only representative of how the essential job tasks are currently performed or envisioned. As such, in order to accommodate a disability or limitation, the essential job tasks may be performed in ways other than described on these pages.

Work occurs Indoors and/or outdoors in all weather conditions in public or private venues with frequently traumatic subject matter; position requires ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, call-outs, standbys.

Work environment

• Indoors, outdoors
• Above 90 degrees
• Below 40 degrees
• Chemical/fumes, smoke/dust, wet/damp areas
• Confined area
• Stairs or ladders
• Unprotected heights
• Public and private venues
• Conditions frequently include dim lighting, bright lighting
• Conditions may rarely include high noise level, exposure to contagious diseases

Physical environment

• Sitting, standing, walking
• Speaking, hearing, seeing, reading
• Distinguishing colors
• Bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting
• Climbing, crawling, crouching, balancing
• Wearing protective gear
• Precise dexterity
• Lifting floor to waist one hundred (100) pounds
• Lifting waist to shoulder twenty-five (25) pounds
• Lifting shoulder to overhead fifteen (15) pounds
• Carrying a weight of fifty (50) pounds for a distance of 100 feet
• Pushing/pulling a weight of fifty (50) pounds for a distance of 100 feet

Social environment

• Traumatic subject matter
• Dangerous environment
• Time pressures
• Interruptions
• High volume of work
• Handling multiple or complicated tasks, frequently changing or unscheduled tasks
• Accuracy
• Decision making
• Concentration/vigilance
• Teamwork
• Isolation
• Working in close physical proximity with others
• Public contact
• Working all hours, including holidays and weekends
• Frequent emergencies

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• OSHA safety requirements and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Applicable Arizona State Revised Statutes.
• Scientific technical working groups requirements for discipline/unit assigned.
• Applicable professional organizations for discipline/unit assigned.
• Crime scene procedures and principles, methods, materials, equipment, and techniques of forensic science.
• Recent developments, literature, and sources of information on forensic science.
• State and federal statutes and case law covering the use of physical evidence in court.
• Rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses.
• Supervisory and management principles and techniques.
• Law enforcement policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and unit functions.

Skill in

• Using forensic laboratory equipment and demonstrating tests and examinations to others.
• Performing latent print and impression analysis and comparisons.
• Preparing, monitoring, and updating budgets using cost effective methods.
• Planning, organizing, and directing division activities and quality assurance programs.

Ability to

• Coordinate effectively laboratory activities with other departments, law enforcement agencies, medical and legal professions, and the judiciary.
• Evaluate subordinate personnel objectively.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of records and information.
• Secure the cooperation of others in difficult work situations.
• Withstand intense examination in court as an expert on the laboratory analysis of evidence.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with police personnel, other law enforcement-related agencies, County personnel, and the general public.
• Perform under highly stressful conditions and maintain calm.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs.

All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices.

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate, up to midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity and budgetary allowances.

Selection Procedure

• Only the most qualified candidates will be considered
• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!