Sheriff's Forensic Science Supervisor
Salary
$79,746.63 - $119,619.95 Annually
Job Number
25SHRFB21LV032
Closing Date
8/15/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Forensic Science Supervisor to oversee the DNA section of the Forensic Science Laboratory. This job posting may be used to fill the DNA Section Supervisor, Comparative Sciences Sections (Latent Prints/Firearms) Supervisor and/or Quality Assurance Manager of the Forensic Science Laboratory. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Forensic Science Laboratory is an ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 accredited forensic testing laboratory that provides forensic services to 35 law enforcement agencies, the Minnesota State Patrol, and multiple federal law enforcement agencies. The Forensic Science Supervisor position will report to the Laboratory Director.
All Forensic Science Laboratory personnel are required to have a buccal sample collected for the purpose of generating a DNA profile to be included in a laboratory DNA contamination database.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit the employee referral program page.
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Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be located at the Forensic Science Laboratory located at 531 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin.
New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About the position type:
This is a full-time, benefit-earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Sheriff's Forensic Science Supervisor.
Click here to view the job classification specification.
In this position, depending on assignment, you will:
• Oversee the DNA section, Comparative sections (Firearm and Latent Print) or Quality Assurance management of the laboratory; direct staff in the research and validation of new techniques, procedures, methods, and equipment used in the laboratory.
• Coordinate daily laboratory operations, including scheduling, prioritizing work, and directing staff activities; may perform casework as needed.
• Supervise section staff, including report review, performance evaluation, assignment balance, and employee discipline.
• Provide leadership to further department-based strategies that align with county goals, mission and core values for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Support training initiatives and contribute to the development of reports, documentation, and operational materials.
• Manage laboratory quality systems by initiating corrective/preventative actions and facilitating continuous improvement.
• Administer key laboratory programs such as performance monitoring, document control, and standard operating procedure development.
• Maintain quality assurance and quality control records to ensure compliance and operational integrity.
• Prepare and monitor section budgets and manage related expenditures.
• Testify in court as needed and oversee the testimony of laboratory staff; participate in internal audits and compliance reviews.
• Abide by Hennepin County’s core values and non-discrimination and respectful workplace policy.
Need to have:
• Bachelor's degree or higher in biology, genetics, forensic science, chemistry or a closely related field and three years or more of forensic laboratory experience.
Nice to have:
• Experience:
o In supervising including working with employee labor agreements, hiring, and performance management.
o Directing laboratory staff in the research and validation of new techniques, procedures, methods, and equipment used in a laboratory.
o Managing a Quality System.
o Managing technical operations of a forensic science discipline.
o Participating in internal and/or external audits.
o Testifying in the court of law as an expert witness in a forensic science discipline.
o As a trained ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 Forensic Laboratory Assessor.
• Knowledge of:
o Goals and objectives relating to the major functions of a forensics laboratory.
o Budget management.
• Knowledge and experience with ISO/IEC 17025 and relevant Forensic Science standards, the accreditation assessment process and compliance activities
• Ability to:
o Plan, assign, and direct the work of staff.
o Work effectively with peers and with multiple levels of stakeholders within an organization.
o Exhibit strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• DNA Supervisor only:
o Successful completion of at least 9 credit hours of coursework in biology- or chemistry- related areas that provide an understanding of the foundation of DNA analysis, as well as completion of coursework in statistics and/or population genetics.
If you have questions, please contact:
Lidy Vu