CHIEF OF FORENSIC SERVICES - 43001253

Requisition No: 838488 

Agency: Financial Services

Working Title: CHIEF OF FORENSIC SERVICES - 43001253

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 43001253 

Salary:  $95,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/07/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*****

DIVISION: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

BUREAU: FORENSIC SERVICES

CITY: HAVANA

COUNTY: GADSDEN

The Criminal Investigations Division encompasses all law enforcement and forensic components residing within the Department of Financial Services. With this broad responsibility, the division investigates a wide range of fraudulent and criminal acts including:

• Insurance Fraud Investigations
• Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations
• Public Assistance Fraud
• Theft/Misuse of State Funds
• Fire and Explosives Sample Analysis

Mission Statement

Serving and safeguarding the public and businesses operating in the State of Florida against acts of fraud, arson, and the misuse of state funds.

Available links to the Agency and Division:

• MyFloridaCFO
• Criminal Investigations Division

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, SUBMIT A STATE OF FLORIDA EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ONLINE IN PEOPLE FIRST AND EMAIL IN A SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW. THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/cid/career-opportunities

Email Address:  CIDhiring@myfloridacfo.com

Job Line Phone number: (850) 413-4063

This supplemental application MUST be received no later than five (5) business days after the closing date of this advertisement in order to be considered for this position.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Requirements:

• Four (4) years of professional experience in Forensic Science or Chemistry, or Natural Sciences.
• Experience in a Forensic Laboratory.
• Experience with fire debris analysis, explosives analysis and forensic disciplines.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory management and operations, to include International Organizational Standardization (IS0) - General Requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) and other related ISO standards.
• Supervisory experience managing a laboratory facility.

Preferences:

• Experience with writing and/or presenting legislative budget proposals.
• Experience in comparative analysis or scientific evaluation of evidence including experience in providing testimony as an expert witness in moot or criminal court.

Special consideration may be given to eligible candidates who have bilingual verbal & written skills that meet a critical need of the agency’s mission.

All successful candidates will be contacted for an interview by email that is provided on your state application.

This position requires a security background check which includes a financial credit report, and fingerprinting.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?

Selection is a three-to-six-month process that consists of the following:

• Completed State of Florida Employment Application
• Completed Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division Supplemental Application
• Interview
• Fingerprinting
• Background Investigation
• Financial credit report

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS

The anticipated salary for this position is $95,000.00 annually.

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

Benefits Include:

• Paid holidays, vacation and one personal holiday
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid annual leave as a new employee
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid sick leave annually
• Pension and investment retirement plan options (MyFRS)
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts
• Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program (must be accepted by a Florida colleges/universities)
• Public Service Student Forgiveness Program (PSLF) - (Eligibility required) https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/public-service-application-for-forgiveness.pdf 
• Career training opportunities
• $25,000.00 in automatic life insurance coverage
• Affordable health insurance options starting as low as $30.00 per month
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Forensic Science.
• Knowledge of laboratory instruments.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory management and operations, to include ISO/IEC 17025 and other related ISO standards.
• Knowledge of applicable accreditation standards and requirements.
• Knowledge of basic supervisory/management principles.
• Ability to use personal computer (word processing and spreadsheets).
• Ability to understand the function of a cross-relational database (LIMS).
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to give expert testimony in courts of law.
• Skill in interpersonal (written and verbal) communications.

Physical Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The job duties require an employee to bend, reach, stoop, stand, walk and/or talk for extended periods.
• The job duties require an employee to be absent from any physical limitation which would impair effective performance.
• The job duties require an employee to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• The job duties require an employee to maintain the ability to visually distinguish test results, which may include color changes, pattern recognition, and interpretation of electronic data (tables, graphs, and charts).

OTHER KSAs (Incumbent may learn on job):

• Knowledge of Fire Debris and Explosives Analysis.
• Knowledge of evidence handling/Chain of custody.
• Knowledge of personnel rules.
• Knowledge of inventory management.
• Ability in Public Speaking.
• Ability to organize and plan schedules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

If applicable, (Incumbent of position is a member of DFS’ Disaster Response Team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and necessary attendant travel in support of disaster relief efforts.)

This position is tasked with ensuring objective forensic evaluation of evidence for the Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division, as well as to other public law enforcement and fire service agencies in the investigation of fires and explosions. Additionally, this position will work with the Office of Forensic Sciences Laboratory personnel to develop an ethic of careful consideration and objectivity when presenting expert testimony.

Position is responsible for the overall function, performance, and integrity of the Bureau of Forensic Services, including quality assurance, management information systems, forensic science training (internal and external), and compliance with policies, procedures, industry standards and accreditation requirements. Assesses laboratory quality assurance requirements, manages laboratory proficiency testing, reviews laboratory inspections and quality audits, acts as a liaison with representatives of accrediting bodies. Monitors and evaluates customer feedback, manages laboratory-related problems.

• Manages the operations and utilization of the laboratory facility and forensic science staff. Directs workload, workflow, deadlines, work objectives, time utilization and recommends personnel action of employees within the Office. Evaluates performance of employees through comparison of objectives to statistical measures. Coordinates and/or provides training required for laboratory personnel along with the external training required to satisfy the operational needs of the laboratory customers.
• Provides recommendations regarding budget, spending plan and building maintenance. Completes Legislative Budget Requests as needed. Directs and approves the Bureau of Forensic Services purchases.  
• Develops policies, procedures, rules, and guidelines consistent with industry standards for the processing of evidence submitted to the Bureau of Forensic Services. Evaluates scientific instruments, data systems (hardware and software), and imaging systems to develop specifications for equipment to be used in the laboratory. Evaluates new and alternative analytical methods to ensure the proper utilization of forensic techniques are within industry standards. Periodically reviews case files for completeness and scientific accuracy and validity.

Attends meetings that related to the Bureau of Forensic Services functions and directs research on forensic fire or explosive debris analysis and methodologies for publication. Whenever subpoenaed, appears in court or at deposition as an expert witness. Provides consultation to investigators and public service agencies on areas of expertise as required.

This position shall make policy recommendations as to the forensic techniques and methods employed by the Bureau of Forensic Services. Because techniques and methods are integrally affected by the instrumentation and data systems on which they are implemented, the position shall also make recommendations as to the nature of equipment purchased for the laboratory or included in Legislative Budget Requests.

Performs other related duties as required.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.