JOB TITLE: FORENSIC SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER

JOB CODE: 72067

DEFINITION: This is managerial and advanced professional work overseeing a forensic services program area in the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

An employee in this job assists the Director, Bureau of Forensic Services or a division director in the management of forensic services programs. Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating program activities within the assigned area of responsibility. Work includes coordinating the activities of the assigned programs with other organizational units; determining goals, objectives, and priorities; and evaluating the effectiveness of statewide forensic services programs. Work also includes developing, implementing, or recommending changes to regulations, policies, and procedures; determining operational needs and preparing budgetary requests; and conducting or directing special studies to improve or develop forensic service programs. Supervision is exercised over professional staff in the areas of information technology, quality assurance, or forensic science disciplines. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals and objectives and is reviewed by the bureau director or a division director through reports and conferences for effectiveness of results achieved and adherence to program requirements.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • In the bureau director’s office, duties include evaluating facility, equipment, and staffing needs of the statewide laboratories; overseeing budgeting and procurement; coordinating facility construction and renovation projects; and managing the bureau’s information technology program to include supervision of an Information Technology Generalist Administrator or comparable commonwealth information technology staff and contracted vendors.

     • In the Scientific Services Division, duties include coordinating and managing training activities; researching and preparing grant applications and managing approved grants; and supervising Laboratory System Quality Specialists or comparable staff for statewide forensic science disciplines.

     • In the Quality Management Division, duties include coordinating and managing activities in the statewide quality assurance program to include policy and procedural documentation, staff proficiency, accreditation, internal audits, and supervising Laboratory System Quality Specialists or comparable quality assurance specialist staff.

     • In the Forensic DNA Division, duties include oversight of the technical operations of the forensic DNA discipline, developing research and validation projects, serving as the DNA technical leader as outlined in the FBI Standards for Forensic DNA Testing and DNA Databasing Analysis, and supervising a Forensic DNA Scientist Supervisor or comparable program staff.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Plans, organizes, and manages the work of quality assurance specialists and other professional staff.

• Develops goals and objectives for statewide forensic service programs.

• Conducts or directs special studies to evaluate program-specific processes, recommend opportunities for improvements, and achieve optimum utilization of available resources.

• Prepares budget estimates and monitors budget expenditures for the Bureau of Forensic Services.

• Manages resource allocations by forecasting and planning for needs; analyzing statistics involving casework and staff productivity; evaluating facility, equipment, and staffing requests and options; and determining and facilitating the procurement and assignment of resources.

• Visits statewide laboratories to inspect facilities and operations for needs assessment or to conduct quality assurance audits for compliance with departmental policies and accreditation requirements.

• Manages the review, development, and revision of policies and procedures used in the administration of the laboratory system’s quality assurance and safety programs or in a specific program area.

• Coordinates the evaluation of new accreditation standards and confirms viability of methods to ensure laboratory system compliance.

• Manages the bureau staff proficiency testing program by approving the procurement of acceptable tests, approving a testing schedule, assigning tasks within the program, evaluating results, determining appropriateness of proposed corrective actions, and evaluating and improving program effectiveness.

• Researches and analyzes grant opportunities, prepares grant funding applications, manages compliance of approved grants, and fulfills reporting requirements.

• Directs the bureau’s information technology program to include the procurement, installation, configuration, and maintenance of hardware and software solutions that support forensic laboratory operations.

• Manages training programs for new staff assigned to forensic science disciplines that include development of instructional methods and techniques; discussion of departmental policies, procedures, and practices; demonstration of analytical techniques; and application of practical exercises.

• Directs technical DNA operations, resolves issues, proposes new or modified analytical procedures, and assists in their implementation in the laboratory.

• Evaluates opportunities for individual staff members to receive and conduct external training and recommends whether such requests should be approved or denied.

• Prepares detailed reports documenting forensic service programs and degrees of effectiveness.

• Travels to various work sites.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative biochemical and chemical analysis.

• Knowledge of forensic laboratory equipment and materials.

• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in the analysis and comparison of organic and inorganic material.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of laboratory quality assurance monitoring and assessment.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems.

• Ability to interpret and apply scientific data, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to organize information and prepare reports of analysis and findings.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These will not be used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to implement, direct, and evaluate statewide forensic service programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as a Laboratory System Quality Specialist (commonwealth title);

or

• One year as a Forensic Scientist Supervisor (commonwealth title);

or

• One year as a Forensic DNA Scientist Supervisor (commonwealth title);

or

• Five years of professional laboratory experience in the chemical, physical, or biological analysis and comparison of criminal evidence and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require at a minimum, a master’s degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science related area which included or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 semester or equivalent credit hours from a combination of undergraduate and graduate college coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and either statistics or population genetics. The 12 semester or equivalent credit hours shall include at least one graduate level course registering three or more semester or equivalent credit hours.

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.