Toxicology Section Senior Forensic Scientist (DOH/SLD #10960)
New Mexico Department of Health - Albuquerque, NM
Full-time
Salary: $29.23 - $43.85 Hourly
Application Deadline: May 10, 2026
Why does the job exist?
This position supports and performs functions for all three sections of the Forensic Toxicology Bureau: Breath Alcohol, Drug Screening, and Drug Confirmation.
How does it get done?
This position will work across the three sections of the Forensic Toxicology Bureau.
1. Forensic Testing: This position will perform forensic analysis of biological samples in criminal and death investigations within an ANAB accredited laboratory, including performing testing for the presence of alcohol, drugs, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, this position will prepare legally defensible reports based on tests from Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
2. Case Review and Expert Testimony: This position will perform technical case review and provide factual and/or expert testimony in a court of law and as part of the quality assurance process required by accreditors.
3. Method Development and Validation: This position will be responsible for method development and validations including preparing standard operating procedures for the analyses of drugs on new and existing complex instrumentation including LC-MS and GC-MS.
4. Breath Alcohol: This position will assist the Breath Alcohol section with calibration, inspection, and maintenance of Intoxilyzer 9000 (IR-9000) instruments, preparing proficiency solutions, and teaching IR-9000 officer certification courses.
1. Forensic Testing: This position will perform forensic analysis of biological samples in criminal and death investigations within an ANAB accredited laboratory, including performing testing for the presence of alcohol, drugs, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, this position will prepare legally defensible reports based on tests from Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
2. Case Review and Expert Testimony: This position will perform technical case review and provide factual and/or expert testimony in a court of law and as part of the quality assurance process required by accreditors.
3. Method Development and Validation: This position will be responsible for method development and validations including preparing standard operating procedures for the analyses of drugs on new and existing complex instrumentation including LC-MS and GC-MS.
4. Breath Alcohol: This position will assist the Breath Alcohol section with calibration, inspection, and maintenance of Intoxilyzer 9000 (IR-9000) instruments, preparing proficiency solutions, and teaching IR-9000 officer certification courses.
Who are the customers?
Law enforcement agencies including federal, state, local and tribal agencies as well as the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Ideal Candidate
1) Four (4) years of experience performing analytical testing in an ISO/IEC 17025 certified forensic laboratory;
2) Four (4) years experience in the operation and maintenance of GC and LC-MS instrumentation, with an emphasis on High-Resolution LC-MS (HRMS) and/or Triple Quadrupole LC-MS (LC-MS/MS);
3) Experience developing and validating LC-MS based analytical methods in accordance with the Academy Standards Board (ASB) guidelines;
4) Experience giving factual and/or expert testimony in a court of law;
5) Familiarity with the principles of drug and alcohol pharmacology and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics (PK/PD);
6) Experience with the operation and/or maintenance of breath alcohol instrumentation
2) Four (4) years experience in the operation and maintenance of GC and LC-MS instrumentation, with an emphasis on High-Resolution LC-MS (HRMS) and/or Triple Quadrupole LC-MS (LC-MS/MS);
3) Experience developing and validating LC-MS based analytical methods in accordance with the Academy Standards Board (ASB) guidelines;
4) Experience giving factual and/or expert testimony in a court of law;
5) Familiarity with the principles of drug and alcohol pharmacology and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics (PK/PD);
6) Experience with the operation and/or maintenance of breath alcohol instrumentation
Minimum Qualification
For DNA Analysts, a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Biochemistry, Genetics, or Molecular Biology from an accredited college or university and completion of nine (9) credit hours of coursework in any combination of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, to include any course work in statistics or population genetics. For Chemists, a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or in Biology or Forensic Science which must include a minimum of twenty (20) credit hours of chemistry coursework. For Latent Print and Firearm Forensic Scientists, a Bachelor's degree in any discipline will be accepted, or an Associates' degree plus two (2) years of additional laboratory experience or four (4) years of additional laboratory experience can substitute for a Bachelor's degree. Four (4) years of experience working in a forensics laboratory performing scientific analysis of forensic evidence, including one (1) year independent casework analysis.
Employment Requirements
This position is designated a safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment. In state and out of state travel may be required. Successful completion of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required.
Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive a Defensive Driving Course certificate as a condition of continued employment. In state and out of state travel may be required. Successful completion of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a fully functional laboratory containing biological, chemical, physical, and radiological hazards. Incumbent will be required to use all applicable safety equipment provided by the employer and follow all safety precautions specified by the employer. There will be extended standing, repetitive trunk/arm/hand/neck movements with computer usage or assay/methodologies utilized. Work involves using high voltage electronic instrumentation, and high pressure gas cylinders. Ability to lift/push up to 50 lbs. Some travel with occasional overnight stay will be required.
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