Chief of Laboratories

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

OCME seeks an Executive forensic laboratory manager to serve as the Chief of Laboratories. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the incumbent for this executive level position will:

- Provide managerial support for the Directors of Forensic Biology, Forensic Toxicology, Molecular Genetics, Histology, Evidence, Health & Safety, and Laboratory Administration, ensuring efficient and effective laboratory operations.
- As part of the Agency Executive Leadership, develop and implement strategic goals, policies, and procedures that align with the mission of the OCME.
- Manage priority special projects related to the Laboratories and the agency as a whole.
- Provide leadership and guidance to laboratory teams for quality control, compliance with regulations, and ethical practices.
- Collaborate with the Chief Medical Examiner, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive leadership in keeping with the agency’s mission and goals, contributing to long-term planning and decision-making.
- Manage the programmatic and scientific administration of the laboratory.
- Formulate and implement operational policies, goals, and objectives relating to all functions within the laboratories.
- Review federal, state, and local legislation to determine impact on forensic testing.
- Advise the Chief Medical Examiner and Chief Operating Officer on relevant forensic science matters.
- Ensures that all accredited laboratories remain in compliance with the applicable state, national, and international standards and the NYS Commission on Forensic Science accreditation program guidelines
- Manage budgets, staffing, and resource allocation for the laboratories under direct supervision.
- Stay current with advancements in forensic science and emerging technologies, integrating them into laboratory operations as appropriate.
- Oversee the direction of enhancements for the various LIMS in use at the Agency
- Oversee the management of new and continuing grant initiatives
- Oversee the technical and/or scientific review of the quality assurance and employee technical training programs evaluating effectiveness for both.
- Oversee the management in methodology and test validation, as well as applied research.
- Coordinates activities with local, state, and federal authorities
- Overall responsibility for the scientific and personnel management of approximately 350 clinical scientists, forensic scientists, researchers, managers, supervisors, and support staff.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.