City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Forensic Coordinator II

Under limited direction, this position coordinates lifecycle forensic case management for the Forensic Science Department; manages outsourcing, insourcing, workflow communication, and final disposition of cases within the forensic system; and serves as Liaison between customers and forensic practitioners.

1. Communicates with vendors, laboratory and evidence personnel, investigators and other stakeholders to provide regular case and/or project updates.
2. Coordinates forensic services to qualified vendors and/or inter-local partners.
3. Ensures forensic cases/items and requests are submitted, transferred, processed, reported, and/or invoiced according to forensic best practices and established agreements and schedules.
4. Creates, monitors, verifies, and standardizes forensic requests entered into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Ensures established evidence submission and management processes are followed.
5. Leads internal training and supports on-going training/education of customers and stakeholders.
6. Creates, reviews, and maintains records of case-related activities, ensures records are retained within the record management system in accordance with the records control schedule.
7. Researches reports and utilizes data bases to determine status of property dispositions.
8. Coordinates discovery requests.
9. Manages case, special project, and/or task assignments across vendors, contracts, and/or internal resources to maximize efficiency and mitigate backlogs. Develops and executes strategies to maximize system performance.
10. Performs outsourcing budget forecasting and tracking. Leads securing, managing, and reporting grant funding metrics for outsourcing services.

Provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

• Knowledge of principles, generally accepted practices, and technical procedures in evidence handling and forensic testing.
• Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal statutes.
• Knowledge of applicable accreditation standards.
• Knowledge of effective project management.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in engaging stakeholders to capture and manage expectations.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in process improvement strategies.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to assess current operations on an ongoing basis and implement required changes.
• Ability to deliver training to others.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to research reports and utilize data bases to determine status of property dispositions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and positive working relationships with personnel and customers.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or a related discipline, plus five (5) years of forensic experience in an accredited testing laboratory, to include two (2) years of forensic casework experience.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Graduation with an academic doctorate degree in a related field may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

• Valid Texas Driver’s License
• NCIC/TCIC Certification