Forensic Toxicologist

About this role

Overview & Benefits

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents.

When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Apply today and help shape the future of Oakland County, where we are All Ways Moving Forward.

For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire

General Summary

$85,818- $114,981 This position is on-site

Join our team in a highly specialized scientific role where your expertise directly supports death investigations and the pursuit of accurate, evidence-based answers. In this position, you’ll perform complex toxicological testing on biological specimens to identify and interpret the presence of drugs, poisons, and alcohol. Your work will provide critical scientific information to pathologists, death investigators, and law enforcement agencies and may play an important role in legal proceedings.

What You’ll Do • Perform high-complexity analytical testing on biological specimens to identify, quantify, and interpret drugs, poisons, alcohol, and other substances. • Analyze and interpret laboratory findings to provide accurate, scientifically supported results. • Provide critical toxicology data used in determining the cause and manner of death. • Collaborate with pathologists, death investigators, law enforcement, and other professionals throughout the investigative process. • Prepare and communicate scientific findings clearly and accurately. • Provide expert testimony regarding laboratory procedures, testing, and findings in legal proceedings. • Utilize current County and department-specific software to document results and complete assignments.

Why You’ll Love It • Meaningful Work: Your scientific expertise directly contributes to death investigations and helps provide answers to families, investigators, and the community. • Specialized Expertise: Apply advanced analytical and toxicological skills to complex, real-world cases. • Collaborative Environment: Work alongside pathologists, investigators, law enforcement professionals, and other scientific experts. • Professional Impact: Serve as a trusted scientific resource and have the opportunity to provide expert testimony in legal proceedings. • Public Service: Build your career while contributing to work that supports public safety and the integrity of the investigative process. Minimum Qualifications EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. a. Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or closely related field of study. b. Have had two (2) years of full-time analytical experience in forensic toxicology; OR 2. a. Possess a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or a closely related field of study. b. Have had at least one (1) year of full-time analytical experience in forensic toxicology, testing toxic agents; OR 3. Possess a Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, forensic science or a closely related field of study.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Submit to annual tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray, at County expense.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Collaborates with forensic pathologists, autopsy attendants, and clerical support staff to provide technical guidance regarding toxicology specimen collection and results.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Conducts qualitative and quantitative toxicological screening and confirmation testing to determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons in biological specimens such as blood, vitreous humor, tissues, and gastric contents or other matrices as needed.

Operates, calibrates, and maintains sophisticated analytical instrumentation (e.g., Gas Chromatography, immunoassay systems).

Enforces strict quality assurance (QA), quality control (QC), and safety protocols to ensure compliance with forensic accrediting bodies (e.g. American Board of Forensic Toxicology, American National Standards Institute (ANSI/ANAB), National Association of Medical Examiners) and published standards.

Correlates laboratory findings with case histories, police reports, and autopsy observations to determine physiological relevance to guide toxicology testing.

Maintains appropriate confidentiality of all test results and case information.

Develops comprehensive, legally defensible technical reports detailing findings and toxicological conclusions for use by forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and legal counsel.

Testifies as an expert or fact witness in criminal, civil, and deposition proceedings regarding testing methodologies and results.

Maintains chain of custody for all evidence and specimens from receipt to final disposition.

Manages laboratory inventory, reagent preparation and logs, and equipment maintenance schedules.

Utilizes specialized case or laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and county-wide database software to track cases, log data, and generate reports.

Maintains awareness of the latest analytical laboratory techniques, equipment, and standards to ensure that examinations are performed effectively, efficiently, and accurately.

Works independently to provide accurate and reliable toxicological results.

Follows formalized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), organizational

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