This is supervisory forensic work directing the activities of a forensic laboratory section concerned with the analysis of suspected controlled substances, related chemicals, and poisons. The employee in this class also advises police units in evidence collection and the safe handling of drug equipment. Of major significance to the work is the supervision of a moderate-sized staff of chemists, technicians and clerical employees. Work is performed under the supervision of the police laboratory director.

• Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of subordinate chemists and technicians engaged in analyzing a wide variety of confiscated materials for controlled substances or materials used in the synthesis of controlled substances, urine specimens for the presence of drugs, and foodstuff for preserve of contamination.
• Reviews data and analytical reports to insure that laboratory procedures have been followed.
• Insures that all wet chemical, microcrystalline, instrumental and other tests or samples are consistent with reported results.
• Visits crime scenes to collect or advise on the collection of, and analyzes drug laboratory equipment and other evidence to determine if illegal substances were being manufactured; advises police units on the safe and correct handling of drug equipment and hazardous materials, and the collection of evidence; arranges for transport of large quantities of controlled substance evidence.
• Supervises clerical personnel who accept evidence 24 hours a day, type and distribute reports, maintain accurate records and other related duties.
• Reviews changes in legislation affecting the analysis of controlled substances.
• Researches journals and other published material to identify new techniques of analysis; supervises or personally engages in the development of new techniques or adaptation of existing methods to specific problems of analysis.
• Trains new laboratory personnel or supervises their training by experienced staff chemists and technicians.
• Maintains inventory of standards of controlled substances and prepares budget data for same; estimates materials and supplies required for unit operations.
• Appears in court to testify as an expert witness in criminal and civil suits.
• Maintains liaisons with other units within the department and outside agencies concerning the acceptance and analysis of evidence, reporting and interpretation of results and the testimony of subordinate personnel in court.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles of analytical chemistry, with emphasis on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs and/or other related organic compounds.
• related areas of chemistry and other physical sciences, such as drug toxicology and mathematics applied to analytical chemistry.
• modern instrumentation techniques including spectrophotometry, chromatography, spectrometry and spectrography.
• biology as it applies to drug analysis.
• the rules of evidence and methods of presenting evidence in court, and of practices and procedures to insure chain of evidence integrity.
• the qualitative and quantitative analysis of inorganic substances.

• the use of laboratory equipment and apparatus and the performance of chemical procedures.

• supervise a staff of full performance level chemists, technicians and clerical employees.
• develop new methods and adapt established methods of analytical chemistry.
• deduce the product of drug laboratory processes from collected substances and paraphernalia.
• perform chemical analyses and examinations.
• prepare scientifically accurate and comprehensive reports of findings of laboratory analyses.
• establish and maintain effective working conditions with associates, police personnel, and outside agencies.

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry.
• Four years of experience in chemical analysis of a large variety of substances, both organic and inorganic, and interpretation of results in a forensic laboratory, one year of which shall have been at the full performance level in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs and/or related organic compounds.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established: 9/1985
Spec. Revision:

TOC/sb/ps