Unified Forensic Laboratory Deputy Director

JOB LOCATION

8555 Double Helix Ct Englewood, Colorado 80112-7170

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring Salary for this position is $100,399 - $125,498 annually.

The deadline to submit applications is November 27th, 2026. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine a qualified pool of applicants exists, this position may be closed without notice.

The Unified Forensic Crime Laboratory (UFCL) is a regional crime lab with joint oversight by the Aurora Police Department, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. The Deputy Director position assists in the planning, coordination and management of the operations and activities of the Unified Forensic Crime Lab. This position reports directly to the Crime Lab Director. This position is a supervisory position that assists the Director in a variety of general management duties including: supervising the operations of the crime laboratory and its personnel, budget oversight and preparation, employee performance and recommending personnel actions.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Supervises daily operations of the crime laboratory, including scheduling, assigning work, approving leave, disciplining employees, and directing resources on criminal cases ensuring completion of analyses.
• Assess departmental and customer needs and develops short- and long-term plans to make necessary changes in methods, policies, and procedures in support of these plans
• Establish laboratory standards, technical procedures, and internal and external quality assurance programs to ensure that accreditation and/or other standards are met and maintained; ensures that all standards and practices of the Unified Forensic Laboratory meet the highest level of professionalism and quality assurance
• Select and oversee training of new employees, monitors staff workloads, provides direction over staff responsible for the most complex cases, and ensures that laboratory tasks are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Keep current with new developments in criminalistics, forensic science, or other relevant sciences, and its application to criminal proceedings
• Develop and maintain effective communication with other forensic labs, courts, prosecutors, and any applicable law enforcement and criminal justice agencies
• Interpret laboratory results for law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts
• Establish and assist in the implementation of policies, procedures, and methods pertaining to the collection, security, analysis and integrity of physical evidence
• Direct and coordinate presentations, subpoena responses and mutual case needs with the courts, prosecutors, and applicable Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies
• Establish policies, procedures, and methods to ensure that records of analytical work and findings meet court standards
• Consult with law enforcement, prosecutors, other forensic labs, and experts on the solution of problems involving the analysis and evaluation of evidence
• Provide technical training to regional crime laboratory staff assigned to appear in court and deliver presentations

• Develop laboratory budget proposals and justification, manage grant applications and funding, authorize expenditures, monitor revenues, and oversee the selection and purchase of new laboratory equipment as defined by the laboratory board of directors          
• Performs other related duties as assigned

 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

 

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university with a focus in chemistry, forensic science, biochemistry, toxicology, criminalistics, or directly related field.

 

Experience: 

• Three (3) years progressively responsible forensic science experience, to include criminalistics.

 

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Colorado Driver's License
• May require the successful completion of an annual proficiency testing as required by the applicable accreditation body

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing or revising standard operating procedures, the development and administration of competitive testing, training staff, and reviewing reports for technical and administrative accuracy

• Experience in crime scene investigation

• Able to fulfill the role of backup Technical Leader as needed

 

Knowledge:

• Principles of quantitative and qualitative analysis of physical evidence

• Standard and court approved forensic science methods and disciplines which include but are not limited to chemistry, trace evidence, forensic biology, DNA analysis, firearms analysis, latent print examination, forensic imaging, computer forensics, questioned document examination, and crime scene investigation

• Rules of evidence and general procedures of civil and criminal practices concerning the physical chain of custody for evidence

• Forensic laboratory services and equipment planning, evaluation and assessment

• Legal procedures and laboratory support required for criminal investigations

• Principles and methods of laboratory management including the safety practices and regulations, planning, direction, and evaluation of the overall activities of a large regional crime laboratory

• Supervision and training methods and techniques

• Laboratory safety practices and regulations

• Principles of forensic science as applied to criminal investigations

• Research methods and techniques in the area of laboratory criminalistics

• Criteria and standards pertaining to the design and layout of a large regional criminal laboratory

• The criminal justice field and associated agencies, organizations, and functions

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, and statutes

• undefined

Skills: 

• Skill in the use of laboratory and photographic equipment and materials.

• Strong interpersonal and managerial skills
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs
• Strong customer service skills
• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, public speaking and media relations
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors
• Write detailed technical procedures and reports in a clear and concise manner

 

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials

• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Direct and effectively supervise a diverse workforce

• Administer budgets

• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

• Effectively operate a modern forensic science laboratory including work organization, fiscal management, budgetary preparation and control, program planning and implementation

• Analyze problems, research and/or prepare appropriate investigative laboratory procedures and test

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

 

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work that involves moving 10 pounds at a time with or without assistance

• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck

• Frequent sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers

• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing

• Occasional pushing, pulling, bending and stooping

• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents

• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens

• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard

 

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to dust and noise.

• May also work in an office setting with overhead lighting and long periods of screen time.

• Will have and/or share on-call responsibilities

• Hazards may include exposure to harmful chemicals, carcinogenic substances and fumes, although safeguards are provided

• Will have and/or share on-call responsibilities

 

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

• This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to "bio-hazards" associated with blood-borne pathogens; HIV (aids), HBV (hepatitis B), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "bio-hazard" may result in severe illness or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing.

• Inoculation may be required to prevent or treat exposures to "bio-hazards".

 

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases

• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment
• Specialized laboratory equipment and tools

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26‑1283)
As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.