Deputy Commissioner of Forensic Laboratories/Chief of Laboratories

Job Description

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) 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.

Our core purpose is to protect public health and serve impartial justice through forensic science and medicine. We exist to provide answers in support of families and communities during times of profound need.
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 experienced executive leader to serve as Deputy Commissioner of Forensic Laboratories / Chief of Laboratories. Reporting directly to the First Deputy Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner provides executive leadership, administrative oversight, and strategic direction for OCME’s laboratory portfolio. Each laboratory is led by a Laboratory Director responsible for its day-to-day scientific, technical, quality, and operational management. The Deputy Commissioner works across the laboratory leadership team to ensure appropriate coordination, resources, administrative support, and alignment with agency priorities.

As a member of OCME’s Executive Leadership Team, the Deputy Commissioner serves as the principal executive responsible for laboratory administration and represents the laboratories in agencywide planning, decision making, and strategic initiatives.

The duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Commissioner include, but are not limited to:
- Provides executive direction and managerial oversight for departments within the forensic laboratory portfolio, which currently includes Forensic Biology, Forensic Toxicology, Molecular Genetics, Histology, Evidence, and Laboratory Administration, comprising approximately 300 forensic scientists, managers, supervisors, and administrative and support personnel.
- Participates in OCME’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the agency’s vision, strategic direction, and priorities, and serves as a member of the Executive Tactical Team, representing the day-to-day interests and needs of the forensic laboratories while supporting the First Deputy Commissioner and fellow Executive Tactical Team members in policy development, executive decision making, and the day-to-day management and operations of the agency.
- Leads strategic planning, administration, personnel management, and budgetary oversight for the forensic laboratory portfolio, working in close coordination with Laboratory Directors responsible for the day-to-day scientific, technical, quality, and operational management of their respective laboratories.
- Provides executive oversight of quality assurance, accreditation, and regulatory compliance across the laboratories, working with the respective Laboratory Directors to ensure adherence to applicable standards and New York State Commission on Forensic Science requirements.
- Monitors laboratory performance, turnaround times, workloads, quality measures, and other key performance indicators, working with Laboratory Directors to address trends, backlogs, operational challenges, and areas requiring executive attention.
- Directs and supports Laboratory Directors in advancing major laboratory initiatives and long-term planning for operations, equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and capital needs, including equipment maintenance, replacement, procurement, and major capital purchases.
- Provides executive oversight and support to Laboratory Directors in the management of laboratory budgets, expenditures, contracts, procurement, and resource allocation, and works with the Directors to develop and advance new needs and funding requests.
- Guides and supports Laboratory Directors in workforce planning and personnel administration, including staffing levels, recruitment priorities, organizational structure, succession planning, time and leave administration, performance evaluations, and employee development.
- Advances research, innovation, and scientific initiatives in collaboration with the respective Laboratory Directors and identifies and pursues grants and other funding opportunities to support research, equipment, technology, workforce development, and new initiatives.
- Provides executive oversight and strategic direction for Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), including enhancements and modernization initiatives, in coordination with Laboratory Directors and OCME IT leadership.
- Serves as a senior representative of OCME on matters related to forensic laboratory services and maintains relationships with law enforcement, prosecutors, regulatory and accreditation bodies, governmental partners, customers, and other stakeholders.
- Works in close coordination with OCME Legal on legal, regulatory, legislative, and other matters affecting the forensic laboratories, including assessing the impact of proposed legislation, regulations, standards, and policies on laboratory operations and services.
- Advises the Chief Medical Examiner and First Deputy Commissioner on significant laboratory matters, including emerging issues, performance, risks, resource needs, and strategic priorities.
- Remains on call and available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to respond to the operational needs of the agency and forensic laboratories.
- Performs other executive leadership, administrative, and agencywide responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Medical Examiner or First Deputy Commissioner.

SPECIAL NOTE
- Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing
- Position requires security and background checks from City, State, and Federal authorities

Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position.

**FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL**

CRIMINALIST DIRECTOR OF LABORA - 2184A

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

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.