Deputy Chief Toxicologist

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The primary purpose of this position is to direct the day-to-day management of the Forensic Post-Mortem Toxicology Laboratory. The incumbent is responsible for the scientific and technical performance of the laboratory; attests to the validity of the laboratory’s test reports; directly supervises employees performing technical and professional duties to include drug testing procedures, technical data review, and other related duties; provides expert testimony in legal proceedings; assists with breath alcohol testing if necessary; and ensures that all practices and procedures are scientifically and forensically acceptable. Finally, in the absence of the Chief Toxicologist, the Deputy Chief Toxicologist temporarily assumes the duties and responsibilities of that role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manages the daily operations of the forensic toxicology laboratory. Directs forensic toxicologists to accomplish goals and objectives of the laboratory and ensures a high level of quality and forensic integrity in the laboratory results. Maintains production turnaround time standards and actively fosters an atmosphere of teamwork within the laboratory. Provides direct supervisory control and guidance to forensic post-mortem toxicology laboratory subordinate staff comprised of highly technical, skilled, and administrative positions up to grade DS-13. This includes establishing performance standards; the assignment and review of work; identifying developmental and training needs and evaluating work performance according to established standards; recommending personal actions; investigating complaints and resolving differences between employees providing for training; giving such guidance as needed to assure the expeditious accomplishment of work and the development and maintenance of competent staff. Approves leave, sets priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Ensures that training of personnel is appropriate for assigned tasks.

Determines operating and maintenance requirements; forecasts and communicates resource requirements; and, evaluates overall program effectiveness through performance measures, audits, and external proficiency testing programs. Assists with laboratory management resources including personnel, service contracts, financial programs, space utilization, grant opportunities, and information resources.  Establishes, approves, and implements standard operating procedures (SOP’s) that are scientifically and forensically sound. Directs a program that ensures compliance with current policy and procedures, Society of Forensic Toxicologists / American Board of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT/ABFT) guidelines and overall good laboratory practices. Assists with operating and managing the breath alcohol program (if necessary). Determines training priorities, requirements and certification standards, and approves all employee certifications, retraining, and re-certification plans. Ensures laboratory personnel adhere to all safety and security policies.

Qualifications and Education

A degree in toxicology or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and 12 semester hours in toxicology.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1)  year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licensures and Certifications

A valid driver’s license is required

A certification issued by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) or a certificate in toxicological chemistry by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC) is preferred

Working Conditions/Environment

The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion, including but not limited to long periods of standing, walking on rough surfaces or up/down multiple flights of stairs, bending, crouching, stooping, lifting and moving human bodies weighing more than I 00 pounds.   The incumbent is expected to drive agency vehicles in the retrieval of human bodies and transportation to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.  During the process of completing duties, the incumbent will be exposed to emotionally intense and often disturbing scenarios.

Work in the field related to body recovery is performed under a variety of conditions and from various locations. Locations include but are not limited to hospitals, private/group homes, crowded public spaces, crime scenes, burned and abandoned buildings, underground tunnels, train tracks, natural and man-made disaster scenes. There is also a possibility of physical harm from grief stricken and hostile family members during body removal and identification procedures.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: This position is designated as an emergency position and is subject to on-call availability. The Chief Toxicologist provides 24-hour on call consultation for the office on a 7 day a week basis.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-415-14

Salary Range: $114,441.00 - $160,216.00; based on funding

Type of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS)

MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in the Collective Bargaining Unit

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public 

Position Designation: This position has been deemed Safety Sensitive under the guideline of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.

This position has been designated as Essential under the guideline of the DC Personnel Manual (DPM Chapter 12). Incumbents of this position will be required to report to work and remain in the event of inclement weather, a declared emergency, or government closing.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.