Occ. Code 9212600

 

STATE POLICE FORENSIC LABORATORIES QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR,

GRADE 27

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

 

            State Police Forensic Laboratories Quality Assurance Coordinator is a non-competitive position that administers the quality control program for State Police forensic laboratories Statewide.  Currently this includes the Forensic Investigation Center in Albany and the Regional Crime Laboratories located in Newburgh, Port Crane and Olean, New York.

 

            This one-position class exists only in the Division of the State Police.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

            This position serves as a Technical Leader to the Quality Assurance Program instituted as a result of new standards promulgated in 1999 by the American Society of Crime Laboratory/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB), which mandates that all forensic laboratories designate a full-time employee responsible for the Laboratory System Quality Assurance Program.

 

It is responsible for quality assurance protocols in all forensic laboratory disciplines including Biological Sciences, DNA Casework and DNA Databank; Breath Testing; Drug Chemistry; Evidence Receiving; Firearms; Forensic Identification; Photography; Questioned Documents; Trace Evidence; and Toxicology.

 

Quality assurance protocols include the use of peer review of Laboratory analyses; monitoring the continuing training and education of scientists and technicians; issuing of proficiency tests; recommending corrective action when analytical discrepancies occur; coordinating Laboratory audits; and monitoring compliance with policy and procedures within the Laboratory.

 

Although Supervisors Forensic Services are responsible for the specific training programs for individual scientists and technicians assigned to their units, the Forensic Laboratories Quality Assurance Coordinator oversees all of the training programs in the Laboratory System and maintains training records for employees to ensure that the programs are consistent with accreditation standards and meet the overall goal of improving the quality of the forensic analysis produced.  This includes reviewing off-site training by private consultants and local universities. An example would be the newly established Masters in Forensic Molecular Biology and undergraduate programs in Forensic Science concentrating in Drug Chemistry and Toxicology developed under a Memorandum of Understanding between the New York State Police and University at Albany.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

            Supervisors Forensic Services are responsible for administration of the technical and scientific functions of all forensic analysis in their unit including supervision of testing procedures and reports of findings; technical problem solving and analytical methods and for the oversight of training, quality assurance, safety, and proficiency testing in their unit.

 

            The Director Internal Audit and Quality Control administers a comprehensive internal audit and quality control program to evaluate the security, integrity and efficiency of an agencys entire operations.  They ensure agency policies and procedures are implemented and followed; provide direction and instruction concerning those policies and procedures; develop new internal control and quality assurance initiatives and assess the effectiveness of these initiatives and programs.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

·        Develops and maintains quality assurance protocols for all Laboratory sections.

 

·        Issues proficiency tests for all disciplines for existing Laboratory protocols.

 

·        Recommends and approves corrective action when analytical discrepancies occur.

 

·        Coordinates Laboratory audits and monitors compliance with policy and procedures within the Laboratory System.

 

·        Supervises the quality assurance staff in the Laboratory System, which includes responsibility for the systems safety coordinator, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) administrator and Forensic Investigation Center (FIC) clerical support.

 

·        Directs the Laboratory Systems Intern Program, which includes paid and unpaid interns assigned to the various Laboratories within the system including candidate selection, development of individual internship programs within the Laboratories' disciplines, monitoring internship activity and reporting results to interns colleges and universities.

 

·        Prepares the Laboratory System for accreditation reviews, audits and inspections as mandated by Executive Law.

 

·        Maintains training records for all Laboratory employees in accordance with applicable criteria.

 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

 

The State Police Forensic Laboratories Quality Assurance Coordinator supervises employees with responsibility for safety coordination, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) administration, FIC support staff and all paid and unpaid interns assigned to Laboratories across the State Police system.   Supervision of subordinate staff includes establishing program goals and priorities; assigning and scheduling of staff; evaluating employee performance; determining training needs and providing training; providing technical advice and assistance; and assuring staff comply with agency rules and regulations.

 

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

The State Police Forensic Laboratories Quality Assurance Coordinator works under the general direction of the Director of the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center.  Incumbents operate with a high degree of independence under broad agency guidelines, ASCLD/LAB accreditation standards, and applicable laws, policies, and regulations.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Experience:  A minimum of nine years' satisfactory experience performing the duties of a Forensic Scientist or its equivalent in another forensic laboratory.

 

Preference will be given to those who possess the following:

 

  1. Experience as a certified inspector for a Forensic Laboratory accreditation or inspection body, such as ASCLD/LAB and DNA Advisory Board (DAB).
  2. Formal training in Quality Assurance as well as relevant quality assurance experience and membership in a recognized quality assurance professional group.
  3. An advanced degree in Business Management, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or related science.
  4. Supervisory experience.

 

 

 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

 

Date:  8/05