Job Description

Chief Scientist - Forensic Toxicology

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $43.36 - $72.62 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Recruiter – Ashlee Adams | ashleeadams@utah.gov | 385-538-4235
Application Deadline – 8/9/2026*

*This recruitment may close at any time once a sufficient number of applications have been received. We encourage candidates to submit their application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Forensic Toxicologist is responsible for the direction, leadership, and scientific oversight for the Forensic Toxicology Program for the Utah Public Health Laboratory with the Department of Health and Human Services. The incumbent reports to the Laboratory Director and serves as the subject matter expert for drug metabolism and detection in body fluids and ensure the program provides relevant and accurate, legally defendable scientific data. The incumbent provides supervision to the program, which includes assessing program needs and objectives, determining goals and priorities, analyzing operational costs and effectiveness, establishing policies and procedures, and coordinating multiple staff's assignments, workloads, and performance evaluations. This position may be required to represent the laboratory on interagency committees, task forces, advisory committees and to the public sector.

The incumbent helps to integrate the laboratory's mission of service, teaching, and public health protection by forging relationships with other state programs, law enforcement agencies, criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors, the Office of the Medical Examiner, the local health departments, and the community. The incumbent may be asked to provide expert testimony in trials and depositions. The incumbent must be proficient in advanced and technical instrumentation.

The position also requires knowledge of accreditation standards of the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists and previous experience working in or supervising a forensic toxicology laboratory.

Day-to-day responsibilities of this position:

• Manages and provides direction, leadership and scientific oversight for a scientific program(s) at the Utah Public Health Laboratory.
• Sets goals, establishes priorities, manages resources, develops concepts and approaches, and reviews projects progress and results. Provides laboratory consultation in specialized areas of knowledge.
• Develops, coordinates and implements plans and policies to meet the mission and strategic objectives of the laboratory.
• Analyzes, summarizes or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and/or makes recommendations.
• Develops strong internal and external partnerships.
• Serves as laboratory liaison or subject matter expert on various inter-agency committees, task forces, advisory committees, etc.
• Monitors program budget, including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections; and prepares and defends budget recommendations, requests, reports, proposals, and/or projections.
• Writes, reviews, and/or negotiates grants, contracts and or agreements.
• Gives expert testimony in court cases and/or hearings.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.
• Interacts with attorneys regarding toxicological findings.
• Supervises personnel to include: hiring, determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions as necessary

Qualifications

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Forensic Toxicology or Chemistry but preference may be given for a PhD in Forensic Toxicology or Chemistry with an emphasis on forensic toxicology.
• Proficient in advanced and technical scientific instrumentation such as GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, ELISA, etc. for program specialty
• Principles, methods and techniques of management and leadership Laboratory objectives, organization, structure and mission
• Control and direct the operation of a program or function
• Technical and analytical services and procedures pertinent to the functions of a laboratory setting
• Communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, verbally and in writing to groups and individuals
• Build and lead teams of scientific and public health experts
• Recognize trends and issues in public health that affect laboratory services
• Prioritize activities based on available resources and needs
• Principles, theories, and practices of budget management and performance management
• Read, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• Supervise others by assigning/directing work; conducting employee evaluations, staff training and development, taking appropriate disciplinary/corrective actions, and making hiring/termination recommendations

About the Role

Location –
4431 South 2700 West
Taylorsville, Utah, 84129
United States
Background Check Required – Yes
Drug Test Required – No
Schedule Code – AX - Employees in supervisory positions

Why You Should Join Our Team
In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency
For more information, CLICK HERE

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.