Laboratory Supervisor, Forensic Chemistry Unit, Grade

Salary : $88,406.00 - $142,495.00 Annually

Location : 100 Edison Park Dr Gaithersburg MD 20878 USA

Job Type: Permanent

Job Number: 2025-00334

Department: Department of Police

Division: POL 47 ISB Forensics Sciences and Evidence Management Division Chemistry Section

Opening Date: 05/20/2025

Closing Date: 6/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA: Exempt

About the Position

The anticipated salary range for this position is $88,406-$140,596.

WHO WE ARE

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) is made up of approximately 1,300 sworn officers and approximately 650 support personnel. The Police Department was established in 1922, and today is responsible for providing service to a County with a population of over one million people.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) is seeking an accomplished and dynamic forensic science professional to serve as Laboratory Supervisor in the Forensic Chemistry Unit for the Montgomery County Police Crime Laboratory in the Forensic Science and Evidence Management Division. This is a supervisory role that requires managing the daily operations of the Forensic Chemistry Unit.

About the Forensic Science and Evidence Management Division (FSEMD)

Our mission is to deliver high-quality forensic services with accuracy, integrity, efficiency, and impartiality to support the administration of justice and serve the community. We continuously strive to achieve excellence in forensic science through transparency, rigorous standards, and ongoing training. Our commitment to collaboration with law enforcement, legal professionals, and the community fosters trust and contributes to a safer society.

Position Requirements

Supervises employees, assigns, and evaluates work

Sets individuals' goals and produces performance reviews of employees

Provides input on Laboratory-wide and unit-specific protocols following accreditation standards (ISO 17025:2017)

Screens and evaluates cases; prioritizes, and schedules work

Participates as part of the Laboratory's management team

Analyzes casework and remains proficient in the field of Seized Drugs Why Join MCPD?

As a leader in forensic science and evidence management, MCPD offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public safety and the justice system. You will be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to excellence, innovation, and service to the community.

What You'll Be Doing

This position is the primary source of leadership and mentorship resources in the Forensic Chemistry Unit. Contacts are with the Director, Deputy Director, and Quality Manager; Police Detectives; Senior Scientists; Scientists; administrative staff; Attorneys; scientific and accreditation bodies; and outside laboratories. In addition, this position is responsible for the Forensic Chemistry Unit's compliance with all accreditation, licensing, and quality assurance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Plans, assigns, schedules, evaluates work, sets individual goals, and produces performance reviews of employees involved in laboratory work

Receives, reviews, and evaluates all requests for laboratory examinations to determine priority, probative nature of samples, and suitability for testing

Monitors case work of activity and reprioritizes as needed

Attends case meetings with investigators to determine resources needed

Authors and monitors grants for equipment and training

Provides statistical analyses and monthly reports for casework and turnaround times

Proposes training for unit personnel

Ensures competency, proficiency testing, and annual training standards are met for the discipline

Ensures accreditation standards are met and laboratory policies and protocols are standardized and efficient

Assists with documenting and remediating corrective actions or deviations from protocols

Maintains the DEA and MDH Controlled Substances licenses are in good standing

Works with the State's Attorney's Office to enhance and streamline policies

Performs procurement and contract administration functions for the unit

May perform as Technical Leader of a scientific discipline or other specialized service management, as assigned by the Deputy Director

Performs related duties as required

Maintains competency in Forensic Chemistry to perform casework, to include Certification by the Maryland Department of Health as a Chemist

Testifies as an expert witness in the field of Seized Drugs

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in an accredited forensic laboratory, specifically in Forensic Chemistry.

Education: Must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, medical technology, Biology, physics, pharmacy, pharmacology, or forensic science; and have completed courses in analytical and organic chemistry.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

Demonstrated proficiency in Seized Drug analysis within an accredited Crime Laboratory for at least five (5) years.

Experience delivering expert testimony in court and collaborating with legal professionals.

Proficiency in interpreting complex laws, regulations, and guidelines related to forensic science

Proven ability to supervise and/or train employees within a unionized environment.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits

01

Do you have at least five (5) years or demonstrated proficiency in Seized Drug analysis within an accredited Crime Laboratory?

Yes

No

02

Do you have experience delivering expert testimony in court and collaborating with legal professionals?

Yes

No

03

Are you proficient in interpreting complex laws, regulations, and guidelines related to forensic science?

Yes

No

04

Do you have proven ability to supervise and/or train employees within a unionized environment?

Yes

No

05

Do you have five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in an accredited forensic laboratory, specifically in Forensic Chemistry?

Yes

No

06

Do you hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredit college or university with a major in chemistry, medical technology, Biology, physics, pharmacy, pharmacology, or forensic science; and have completed courses in analytical and organic chemistry?

Yes

No

07

Do you have four (4 ) of progressively responsible professional experience in an accredited forensic laboratory, specifically in Forensic Chemistry?

Yes

No

08

Do you hold a Master's degree from an accredit college or university with a major in chemistry, medical technology, Biology, physics, pharmacy, pharmacology, or forensic science; and have completed courses in analytical and organic chemistry?

Yes

No

Required Question