Technical Leader - Drug Chemistry

The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory (NLCL) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Technical Leader of our Drug Chemistry (Seized Drug Analysis) section in our full-service forensic laboratory system, which serves 29 parishes in Northern Louisiana. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge forensic services in drug chemistry, toxicology, firearms, and DNA analysis. The laboratory system operates from a central facility in Shreveport (Headquarters), with additional regional operations in Alexandria and an Evidence facility in Ouachita Parish.

General Responsibility
The Chemistry (Seized Drug Analysis) Technical Leader is responsible for providing scientific oversight, technical guidance, and quality assurance for all analytical activities within the Drug Chemistry (Seized Drug Analysis) section. This position ensures that all methods, validations, casework practices, and quality processes comply with accreditation standards, laboratory policies, and applicable state and federal requirements. The Technical Leader serves as the subject-matter expert for instrumental analysis and maintains the scientific integrity, reliability, and defensibility of all results generated by the section. 

Specific Duties

• Provide technical direction, and scientific oversight for all analytical operations within the section
• Develop, evaluate, and approve analytical methods, validations SOPs, and other documents.
• Review and interpret complex analytical data; provide expert technical support to staff and serve as a resource for troubleshooting instrumentation and methodology.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and laboratory quality system requirements.
• Maintain proficiency testing compliance, monitor QC trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director regarding workflow, instrumentation needs, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide training, mentoring, and competency assessments for section personnel; maintain documentation of staff qualifications.
• Participate in court testimony, scientific meetings, and continuing education to maintain subject-matter expertise.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support lab operations.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science, or forensic science.
• Minimum of three (3) years of forensic laboratory experience in drug chemistry as a fully-authorized analyst or possess the ability to obtain full authorization within 6 months of appointment.
• Demonstrated experience in analytical or forensic chemistry, including hands-on work with instrumental techniques such as GC-MS, GC-FID, and related technologies
• Experience developing, validating, and implementing analytical methods
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills related to instrumentation and method performance
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation skills
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 and forensic laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Ability to work 100% onsite
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.
• Valid driver’s license.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and telehealth) - 100% company-paid for employees. 
• Participation in the Parochial Employees Retirement System of Louisiana.
   
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and recognition of state and federal holidays.
• Discounted supplemental health insurance options.

Conditional selection based on candidate education and training, experience, interviews and clearance of background investigation.