Ast. Director of Toxicology, Controlled Substance and Chemistry

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

• State Employees: Two (2) most recent performance evaluations and a completed CT-HR-13 form.
• Non-State Employees: Two (2) professional references contact information (Name, Email and Phone Number) and a completed CT-HR-13 form.

We will also ask all candidates to bring a copy of their unofficial transcript(s). 

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum.

Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records. Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rachel Allsop via email, Rachel.Allsop@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of the toxicology, controlled substance and chemistry units operations which is responsible for the analysis of autopsy specimens, body fluids, analysis for poison and drugs, breath alcohol analysis, solid dose drug analysis, arson and gunshot residue.

• Assists with directing staff and operations of the toxicology, controlled substance, chemistry, instrumentation and breath alcohol units;
• Assists in coordinating, planning and managing division activities;
• Assists in formulating program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policies and procedures of section in conjunction with the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) or current laboratory accrediting body and the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC 17025);
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Assists with preparing section budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
• Assists with determining laboratory techniques and procedures necessary to examine specimens and samples submitted;
• Assists with development of security and control procedures;
• Assists with research and new methodology and modifies existing technology;
• Oversees grant administration;
• Coordinates preparation for section annual audits;
• Ensures planning and maintenance of professional development and training requirements;
• Acts for the Deputy Director in their absence; 
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May provide expert testimony;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • theory, principles and practices of analytical chemistry, spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry;
  • techniques of biochemical and toxicological analyses;
  • physical, physiological and pharmacological effects of poisons and absorption, storage and elimination;
  • principles and practices of forensic science;
  • quality management principles and process improvement techniques;
• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) computer software;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written skills; 
• Ability to interpret findings and defend results.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in forensic analysis of evidentiary material with expertise in at least one (1) of the following forensic disciplines: toxicology, controlled substance and/or chemistry units.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a lead capacity guiding the activities of professional forensic science laboratory personnel.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Forensic Science Examiner 2.

• College training in forensic science, criminalistics, clinical or forensic toxicology, chemistry, biology, forensic psychology or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
  
• A Master’s degree in forensic science, criminalistics, chemistry, biology, forensic psychology, clinical or forensic toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  
• A Ph.D. in clinical or forensic toxicology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience supervising forensic laboratory operations, including toxicology, controlled substances, breath alcohol, general chemistry, casework prioritization, staffing, workflow management, quality compliance.
• Experience working in an accredited forensic science laboratory, including experience with ISO/IEC 17025 ( International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission 17025) requirements, ANAB (American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board) accreditation standards, corrective actions, audits, proficiency testing and method validation.
• Experience supervising scientific, technical, professional staff, including performance management, training oversight, competency assessment, technical development, workload coordination.
• Experience collaborating with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, public safety partners, including testimony support, customer service, case prioritization, communication of laboratory capabilities.
• Experience analyzing laboratory data to evaluate performance, including backlog trends, turnaround times, staffing needs, overtime utilization, and resource allocation.

In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be conducted before persons are certified for appointment.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.