Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide group leadership and technical supervision to assigned Forensic Technologists. To plan, prioritize, and assign work; to review the work product to ensure quality in accordance with the Centre's policies, methods, and operating procedures; to provide training; and to conduct forensic examinations and research.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Providing group leadership in planning the activities of the technical group; prioritizing work to ensure operational efficiency. Providing technical supervision and mentoring to Technologists by assigning work; providing training and assisting in the preparation of training materials, evaluation standards and proficiency tests; providing advice and resolution of technical issues (e.g. problematic examinations, equipment use and maintenance).

2. Conducting technical reviews and evaluations of completed work of Technologists as sign off authority prior to release of results to Scientists, or the Section/Unit, following the testing of a variety of forensic case items and samples for qualitative identification and comparisons, and quantitative or semi-quantitative measurements of these components; performing tests and analyses as required.

3. Ensuring quality control processes, and continuity and integrity of evidence are maintained in order to prevent mislabelling, improper handling, cross-contamination, or operator contamination and ensuring compliance with established laboratory accreditation standards, Centre policies, methods and operating procedures, and quality assurance programs.

4. Providing technical supervision and mentoring to Technologists by assigning work; providing training and assisting in the preparation of training materials, evaluation standards and proficiency tests; providing advice and resolution of technical issues (e.g. problematic samples, equipment use and maintenance).

5. Assisting in the evaluation of, and need for, modifications to current standards, operating procedures and forensic testing processes, and collaborating in research projects on new methodologies, evaluation and recommendation of new procedures, equipment, or products. Drafting research findings, quality assurance procedures and protocols, and laboratory manuals. Performing advanced or specialized tests that are not amenable to the use of routine controls and procedures, and where the reliability and findings of test results requires assessment by applying technical and scientific principles in order to determine the necessary next steps, modifications, or adaptation of the procedures.

6. Setting up, operating, maintaining, calibrating, and validating assigned instrumentation to ensure effective operations and production of reliable results; installing new hardware; writing/editing macros and drafting and validating operational procedures for new equipment; providing training to Scientists, students and colleagues in the operation of assigned equipment; providing troubleshooting and determining cost effectiveness of repairs of equipment and arranging for service.

7. Providing testimony in a court of law, when required, regarding laboratory procedures, methods and protocols followed in the conduct of tests.

Knowledge :

Job requires:

1. Completed post-secondary education from a university (degree) or community college (diploma or certificate) in one of the physical, life or forensic sciences, or equivalent.

2. Laboratory practices and techniques and scientific theories in such disciplines as chemistry, pharmacology, biology, biochemistry and their application to forensic science to: operate instrumentation and draft validating operational procedures; conduct the technical review and evaluation of work of technologist assign off authority and to conduct testing of a variety of forensic case items and samples.

3. Evidence handling procedures to ensure the preservation of potential court evidence in order to ensure evidence requirements (e.g. continuity, chain of custody) of the courts of law of Ontario and accreditation protocols are met by Technologists.

4. Forensic laboratory accreditation standards to ensure all standards are met.

5. CFS procedures, practices, and policies to ensure compliance in all activities.

6. CFS quality assurance program to run assurance processes to confirm, validate and ensure reliability of test results.

7. Legislative authorities (e.g. WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety) to ensure compliance.

8. The Ontario justice system and rules governing giving evidence in order to in order to testify in court on matters related to laboratory procedures, protocols and continuity.

9. Leading edge and emerging technology in the field and the operations and capabilities of highly scientifically advanced testing instruments and hardware/software.

10. New developments in the field to participate in research projects and to evaluate testing methodologies and procedures where no precedents or standards exists and to evaluate new equipment or products.

Skills :

Job requires:

1. Analytical and evaluating skills to evaluate the outcome of laboratory test results performed by Technologists to identify discrepancies, recommend solutions, check quality and ensure correct procedures and appropriate results.

2. Analytical and problem solving skills to identify and resolve issues or problems related to samples or instruments, (e.g. when a test result may be erroneous, inadequate or un-interpretable), assisting in the outcome of testing and considering a variety of alternative testing options to ensure appropriate logical interpretable scientific conclusions are arrived at to assist scientists in assessment of a case prior to sign off.

3. Problem solving skills to troubleshoot problems with laboratory equipment and to assess whether in-house or external equipment maintenance and repairs are required by assessing cost effectiveness and impact on workload.

4. Problem solving skills to identify precautions to be taken in handling biohazards and toxic substances.

5. Problem solving skills to provide advice and resolution of technical issues (e.g. problematic samples, equipment use and maintenance) referred by Technologists.

6. Research skills to collaborate in research projects on new methodologies, evaluation and recommendation of new procedures, equipment or products.

7. Group leadership skills to provide leadership and mentoring to Technologists.

8. Manual dexterity to manipulate sensitive instruments and samples with precision.

9. Written communication skills to: prepare data findings and detailed notes of observations and tests; draft operating procedures and methods; research findings; and, training materials.

10. Oral communication skills to: provide training to Scientists, students and colleagues in the operation of assigned equipment and to provide training, advice and mentoring to Technologists; provide testimony in a court of law, when required, regarding laboratory procedures, methods and protocols followed in the conduct of tests.

11. Written and oral communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with other Forensic Laboratories in support of research activities.

Freedom of Action :

This job operates within the Centre of Forensic Science policies, procedures and quality assurance standards, as well as international accreditation standards within own area of specialty.

Job requires freedom in prioritizing cases to ensure operational efficiency of the unit; in acting as the sign off authority of all completed work of Technologists and in selecting alternative analytical methods from a set of established protocols to standard testing procedures; to resolve unanticipated problems with testing (e.g. degraded or compromised item).

Job requires ensuring that test results are consistent and quality control is maintained; determining the reliability and application of new technologies and in identifying need for modification to current standards, operating procedures and forensic testing processes for referral and discussion with the Manager.

Job requires discussing problems and unusual situations with the supervisor (e.g. critical equipment failures, difficult samples, priority/health risk samples, anomalous results and any deviations from standard methods and protocols).