City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Director, Forensic Science

Under nominal direction, this position is responsible for development, administration, and overall effectiveness and operation of the Forensic Science Department. This position manages a multi-disciplinary forensic workforce, provides planning and oversight, and coordinates forensic services.

1. Organizes, directs, and coordinates forensic operations; interprets policy affecting forensic services.
2. Develops and implements short- and long-range strategies, objectives, policies, and priorities; determines appropriate service levels; and allocates resources accordingly.
3. Assists in the planning, development, and administration of the department budget; identifies grant opportunities and prepares grant applications to supplement existing funds, approves expenditures; and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate.
4. Supports development, negotiation, and monitoring of contracts between the City, consultants, contractors, and other governmental entities.
5. Oversees development of forensic performance measures and utilizes reporting tools that establish accountability and set expectations, monitors progress, evaluates alternatives, and assesses productivity.
6. Analyzes and evaluates performance of forensic programs and resources in meeting objectives; identifies opportunities for program improvement, and directs necessary policy/process change.
7. Establishes special committees to study and inform solutions to emerging forensic science concerns.
8. Ensures that responsibilities, authority, and accountability of all direct and indirect reports are defined, understood, and accomplished.
9. Assists with design, procurement and completion of expanded and/or new forensic facilities.
10. Develops partnerships, as necessary, with outside public and private organizations to access resources and improve the efficiency and quality of forensic services.
11. Acts as an official departmental representative to other City departments, CMO, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains department programs, policies, and activities; and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
12. Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries and complaints, and issues from both internal and external sources.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of the principals and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, local laws, and City ordinances governing evidence control and forensic testing.
• Knowledge of City practices, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of accreditation and other governing body forensic standards.
• Knowledge of applicable scientific technical working group and professional organization requirements.
• Knowledge of the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, physiology, and crime scene procedures as they relate to forensic science.
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes and case law covering drugs, the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, disclosure, evidence, and expert witnesses.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing budgets, reports, and studies.
• Ability to demonstrate executive level management of human resources functions for direct and indirect reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the City Manager and staff, Mayor and City Council, other department heads, media, commissions, city employees, and the public.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Chemical Science, Physical Science, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Statistics, or other field related to the job, plus five (5) years of technical experience in an accredited forensic services laboratory, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job may substitute for experience up to one (1) year or
• A PhD from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.