Forensic Scientist Supervisor - Drug Chemistry and Trace Unit - Denver Police Department Crime Lab

This position is expected to stay open until Monday, November 23rd, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Monday, November 23rd at 5:00PM.

The Denver Police Department’s Forensics and Evidence Division is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to serve as a Forensic Scientist Supervisor overseeing the Drug Chemistry and Trace Unit within the Denver Crime Laboratory.

The Forensic Scientist Supervisor provides technical, operational, and administrative leadership for the Drug Chemistry and Trace Unit. This position is responsible for ensuring the quality and integrity of forensic services through effective personnel management, scientific oversight, accreditation compliance, resource management, and continuous improvement of laboratory operations. The successful candidate will promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional development, and scientific excellence while ensuring the Unit effectively meets the operational needs of the Denver Police Department and the broader criminal justice community.

This position is located at 1371 Cherokee Street, Denver, CO 80204. The selected candidate will work regular business hours, with flexibility required based on operational demands and casework volume. This is an on-site position and is not eligible for telecommuting.

Job Responsibilities

The Forensic Scientist Supervisor will provide leadership and oversight of the Drug Chemistry and Trace Unit, including the following responsibilities:

Unit Operations and Leadership

• Directs and oversees daily unit operations, including the work of forensic scientists conducting scientific examinations and analyses of physical evidence in support of criminal investigations.
• Establishes operational priorities, assigns and distributes work, monitors workloads, and ensures the timely and effective completion of casework and other unit responsibilities.
• Develops and implements operational goals, work plans, and strategies that support Laboratory priorities and the effective delivery of forensic services.
• Identifies operational challenges, evaluates resource needs, and implements solutions to improve efficiency, productivity, and service delivery.
• Participates in strategic planning, budget development, and resource allocation to ensure personnel have the equipment, instrumentation, supplies, and training necessary to perform their duties effectively.

Scientific Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Ensures unit compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, applicable ANAB accreditation requirements, laboratory policies, technical procedures, and quality management system requirements.
• Oversees quality assurance and quality control activities, including technical and administrative reviews, proficiency testing, internal audits, corrective actions, and other activities necessary to maintain accreditation and scientific integrity.
• Provides technical guidance and consultation to forensic scientists on complex examinations, analytical methodologies, method validation and verification, interpretation of results, and the development of scientifically supported findings and conclusions.
• Ensures analytical methods are appropriately validated or verified prior to implementation and that scientific procedures remain technically sound and consistent with applicable standards and requirements.
• Evaluates scientific work and ensures the accuracy, completeness, reliability, and defensibility of analytical results, technical documentation, and reports.
• Identifies nonconformities, evaluates their potential impact, oversees corrective and preventive measures as appropriate, and ensures effective resolution and follow-up.
• Promotes a culture of scientific integrity, impartiality, objectivity, and continuous improvement.

Courtroom Testimony and External Relationships

• Serves as an expert witness in court proceedings, monitors and evaluates employee testimony, and oversees the preparation of technical exhibits and supporting documentation for courtroom presentation.
• Maintains effective working relationships with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other criminal justice partners to support the appropriate use and understanding of forensic science services.
• Communicates the capabilities, limitations, and appropriate applications of forensic examinations to stakeholders and promotes scientifically informed investigative practices.

Employee Development and Performance Management

• Oversees employee training, competency assessments, and professional development to maintain technical proficiency and ensure consistent application of laboratory procedures and safety practices.
• Establishes performance expectations, provides ongoing feedback and coaching, conducts formal performance evaluations, and recognizes employee contributions and achievements.
• Identifies employee development opportunities, succession planning needs, and training priorities to support organizational continuity and maintain technical expertise within the Unit.
• Supports employee development by identifying training needs, addressing performance concerns, and providing guidance to help employees meet established standards.
• Provides direct work instruction, technical guidance, and assistance to employees handling complex, unusual, or challenging assignments.
• Fosters a professional, collaborative, and accountable work environment that encourages communication, employee engagement, and continuous learning.
• Addresses employee concerns and grievances and prepares appropriate written responses and documentation.
• Documents performance deficiencies and initiates appropriate recommendations for corrective or disciplinary action, consistent with City policies and applicable procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Employees may be reassigned to other responsibilities within their agency or other City agencies during a Citywide emergency declared by the Mayor to support essential City functions.

The responsibilities listed above are representative of the position and may not encompass every duty assigned. Specific responsibilities will depend on operational needs and the allocation of work within the Laboratory.

About You

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively lead a team of forensic science professionals. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to scientific integrity, accreditation compliance, employee development, operational accountability, and the delivery of reliable and defensible forensic services.

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least five years of professional forensic science experience in drug chemistry, trace evidence, or a combination of these disciplines.
• Previous lead, supervisory, or management experience, preferably within a forensic laboratory environment.
• Experience working in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited forensic laboratory, with a demonstrated understanding of accreditation requirements and quality management systems.
• Experience with quality assurance and quality control activities, including technical reviews, proficiency testing, internal audits, corrective actions, and nonconformity resolution.
• Knowledge and experience with analytical method development, validation, verification, and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex scientific issues, provide technical guidance, and ensure the reliability and defensibility of forensic results.
• Experience managing workloads, establishing operational priorities, and allocating personnel and resources to meet organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop employees, provide constructive feedback, address performance concerns, and foster a positive and accountable work environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound decision-making abilities, and the capacity to establish effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, professional development, and maintaining public confidence in forensic science.

Minimum Qualifications

We recognize that your time is valuable. Please review the following minimum qualifications carefully before applying.

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
• Experience Requirement: Five years of full-performance professional criminalist and forensic analysis experience in toxicology, serology, drug chemistry, trace evidence, or another forensic science discipline. Experience must include demonstrated competency in qualitative analysis and responsibility for quality assurance.
• Education and Experience Equivalency: One year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License/Certification Requirement: As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must complete the Denver Police Forensics and Evidence Division consent form authorizing the collection of a DNA sample at the time of hire.

Job Profile

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