SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

The Assistant Crime Laboratory Director supports the Director in the overall management and daily operations of the Tupelo Police Department Crime Laboratory. The Assistant Director is responsible for conducting analysis of controlled substances through recognized and accepted scientific methods, supervising assigned staff, maintaining quality assurance practices, and testifying in court proceedings. This position serves as the second-in-command of the laboratory and assumes leadership duties in the absence of the Director.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. 

• Assist the Director with management and direction of the crime laboratory and its personnel.


• Preserve, examine, and analyze controlled substances using scientifically valid and accepted methods.


• Testify as an expert witness in local, county, state, and federal courts.


• Assist with procurement of necessary operating supplies for the laboratory within established budgetary guidelines.


• Maintain records of laboratory operations including evidence inventories, equipment calibration, maintenance, and repair.


• Ensure adherence to applicable laws, professional standards, and departmental policies.


• Maintain the chain of custody and integrity of all submitted evidence.


• Prepare detailed reports on laboratory findings and activities.


• Supervise, train, and evaluate laboratory staff as assigned.


• Serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Director


• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Crime Laboratory Director supervises assigned laboratory staff and supports the Director in managing work assignments, training, evaluation, and operational support. This position assumes responsibility for the laboratory in the absence of the Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the work may involve lifting, pulling, pushing, positioning or through the use of tools exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally (6-33% of the work day); and lifting, pulling, pushing, positioning or through the use of tools exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently (34-66% 0f the work day).


• The work may involve overhead work occasionally.


• The work may involve standing, walking and bending at the waist frequently; and sitting, squatting, kneeling, crawling and climbing ladders, stairs or other means of equipment and building ingress and egress, and driving a standard motor vehicle.


• The work may involve use of the hands for simple grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation of objects, tools (including power tools), controls and equipment frequently, and repetitively occasionally.


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.


• The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.


• This position involves a combination of sedentary work, such as reviewing reports and managing administrative functions, and active laboratory work, including standing for extended periods, operating technical equipment and handling evidence. 

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties. 

(Qualifications and Requirements can be changed based on the department’s needs as determined by the Chief of Police)

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in one of the natural sciences, including but not limited to Forensic Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Microbiology.

License or Certificate:

None required beyond applicable professional certifications, as determined by the Chief of Police.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of forensic science related to controlled substance identification.


• Laboratory safety protocols and quality assurance standards.


• Rules of evidence and courtroom testimony procedures.


• Budget preparation and procurement practices.

Past Performance & Experience:

• Experience in forensic laboratory analysis involving controlled substances preferred.


• Supervisory or lead experience in a laboratory or scientific setting preferred.


• Demonstrated ability to prepare technical reports and testify in court preferred.


• Must show potential for leadership and the ability to assume greater responsibilities over time.

DISCLAIMER

 Must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately without causing a significant safety threat to self or others; the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. The job description is not an employment agreement and/or expressed or implied employment contract.

Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. 

To comply with the Americans Disability Act (ADA), the city may make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job functions.

Job #646936