Assistant Forensics Services Director - Non-Merit

This job announcement may close at any time with little or no notice. Applicants are advised to apply promptly.

Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week.

A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Police Department, Forensic Services Section.

Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation plan.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experiences on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You MUST attach your transcript(s), degree(s) or license(s)/certification(s) to your application. Unofficial Copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

Under direction, plans, directs, and controls the activities of the Forensic Services Section of the Baltimore County Police Department, which is responsible for the collection, identification, examination, analysis, and preservation of criminal evidence.

Essential Functions

• Plans, directs, and controls, through subordinate supervisors, the functions and personnel of the Analysis Unit in the Forensic Services Section.
• Develops policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and work standards for the Forensic Services Section and ensures compliance.
• Directs, coordinates, and approves the training of subordinates, approves work schedules, and assures sufficient coverage in all areas.
• Monitors and evaluates activities and programs of the Section and recommends new procedures or modifications to ensure that the standards of quality and performance are maintained.
• Keeps abreast of changes in the field of forensic science, including new technology, procedures, and crime laboratory management.
• Consults with and advises superiors on issues concerning the Forensic Services Section and its operation.
• Represents the Section and Department on inter-agency and inter-jurisdictional committees and meetings on matters relating to forensic services.
• Responds to significant events such as catastrophes, major crime scenes, or other emergencies as directed to establish and direct on-site forensic services, including temporary morgues.
• Plans, develops, and administers the Section's budget.
• Evaluates and recommends purchasing equipment and reorganizing resources to accomplish goals.

• May present evidence and testify in a court of law.
• May serve on review boards and committees.
• May participate in and review examination and recruitment procedures and other personnel-related tasks.
• May conduct or participate in local and out-of-state training sessions, seminars, and conferences.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Training and Experience
Possession of a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in forensic science; a natural science such as chemistry, physics, or biology; or a subspecialty of a natural science such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology;

PLUS

Five years' of documented experience in forensic science including performing casework and testifying in court;

PLUS

Two years of supervisory experience in a forensic science setting

OR

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in forensic science; a natural science such as chemistry, physics, or biology; or a subspecialty of natural science such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology;

PLUS

Seven years of documented experience in forensic science including performing casework and testifying in court;

PLUS

Two years of supervisory experience in a forensic science setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Comprehensive knowledge of forensic sciences, including scientific principles, laboratory procedures, research methods, analytical instrumentation, and current technology used in a crime laboratory.
• Thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence, criminal trial process, and modern criminal investigative procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of crime laboratory administration principles and practices, including fiscal management, budget preparation and controls, program planning, and organization and grants.
• Knowledge of public administration.
• Knowledge of ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) standards, policies and practices as they relate to crime laboratory accreditation.
• Knowledge of quality assurance principles and federal, state, and local health and safety regulations.
• Skill in planning, analyzing, developing, directing, and evaluating programs and policies in a crime laboratory.
• Skill in supervising and training employees.
• Skill in interpreting complex regulations, laws, and guidelines.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to coordinate Departmental program objectives with the general goals of the Forensic Services Section and its various functions.
• Ability to define problem areas, direct the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data and develop sound solutions to technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to coordinate and initiate actions, implement decisions, and make recommendations.
• Ability to explain policy, procedures, or recommendations on various forensic science issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all contacts.

• Thorough knowledge of County and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization and functions of the Baltimore County Police Department and criminal court system.
• Knowledge of personnel practices, budget preparation, and administrative procedures as they relate to the Police Department and Baltimore County.
• Skill in coordinating Departmental program objectives with the general goals of the Forensic Services Section and its various functions.
• Skill in defining problem areas, directing the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data, and developing sound solutions to technical and administrative problems.
• Skill in coordinating and initiating actions and implementing decisions and recommendations.
• Thorough knowledge of County and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization and functions of the Baltimore County Police Department and criminal court system.
• Knowledge of personnel practices, budget preparation, and administrative procedures as they relate to the Police Department and Baltimore County.
• Skill in coordinating Departmental program objectives with the general goals of the Forensic Services Section and its various functions.
• Skill in defining problem areas, directing the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data, and developing sound solutions to technical and administrative problems.
• Skill in coordinating and initiating actions and implementing decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to Provide expert or other testimony in court.
• Ability to Work independently.
• Ability to Legally access appropriate State and Federal databases.
• Ability to Train and instruct others in discipline specific technical knowledge.
• Ability to Evaluate and recommend changes in procedures methods and policies.
• Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, law enforcement and legal system personnel.
• Ability to Determine goals and objectives and work to accomplish them.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org).

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Assistant Forensics Services Director - Non-Merit/Jessica Hall
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

You MUST attach your transcript(s), degree(s) or license(s)/certification(s) to your application. Unofficial Copies are acceptable.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Conditions of Employment

On appointment to this classification, an employee must provide a DNA sample to be maintained for quality assurance purposes by way of buccal swab of the inside of the employee's mouth or current standardized collection procedure to be performed by qualified police department personnel. Provision of the DNA sample is a condition of employment and shall only be used for law enforcement purposes as a forensic laboratory or for purposes of human remains identification and request, but only to the extent that the genetic information is used for analysis of DNA identification markers for quality control to detect sample contamination. It shall be maintained and disclosed only in a manner consistent with law, separate from the employee's personnel file as a confidential medical record, and will not be used for any other purpose. See 75 Fed. Reg. 68912, 68936 (November 9, 2010), 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1(b)(6), 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(6), as amended. Provision of the DNA sample is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the police department. Failure to provide the DNA sample would prevent performance of an essential job function. Persons in this classification are subject to call to duty in emergencies and may be required to work overtime as needed.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.

Employment Benefits for Non-Merit or Non-Classified, Part-Time Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace
All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace
Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance
In order to qualify for health insurance benefits (medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance), part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance
In order to qualify for life insurance benefits, part-time employees must be scheduled for four (4) full work days plus two (2) hours each week.

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employee's annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement
Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave
Sick Leave - Monthly sick leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. No maximum on accrual. Accrued balance can be applied toward service credit at retirement.

Vacation Leave - Monthly vacation leave earnings prorated based on the number of hours worked per week. Earnings increase after five, ten and fifteen years of service generally.

Holidays - Part-time 30 to 39 hour non-merit or non-classified employees will generally be paid for ten holidays per calendar year. Other part-time, non-merit or non-classified employees working 29 hours per week or less will receive two paid holidays per calendar year. These holidays are the Christmas holiday and the Independence Day holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Jury Leave
Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union
Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit
Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Deferred Compensation
Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.