Crime Lab Director - Denver Police Department

# About Our Job  
* This posting will remain open until at least Monday, October 12th, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as this may close without advance notice after October 12th.
* With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.
** What We Offer
** The City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $175,000 - $200,000 annually. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:
* A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
* 457B Retirement Plan
* 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 wellness day, and 1 volunteer day per year
* Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

The Denver Police Department is seeking a Crime Lab Director to lead the Denver Police Department’s Crime Lab. The Crime Lab Director serves as the strategic, operational, and executive leader of the Denver Police Department’s Forensics & Evidence Division. This role is responsible for establishing division-wide strategy, ensuring accreditation compliance, overseeing multidisciplinary forensic operations, and navigating a highly visible political environment with complex stakeholder expectations.  

The Crime Lab Director collaborates with a diverse workforce of sworn personnel, scientists, and supervisors, requiring deep understanding of government operations, scientific standards, and chain‐of‐command structures. The position demands exceptional leadership, political acumen, and advanced communication skills to effectively represent the lab within the City and County of Denver, the Denver Police Department executive command and external partners.
** Specifically, as the Crime Lab Director you wil
** l:
** Strategic Leadership & Vision
*** Develop multi‐year plans, division strategy, key performance indicators, and performance‐optimization measures for all forensic units. Drive innovation, identify research opportunities, ensure resources align with goals, and lead continuous improvement across the division.
* Anticipate operational risks, recognize emerging forensic and legislative trends, and forecast how policy developments at the city, state, and national levels may affect the lab. Strong strategic positioning is essential to prevent issues that could affect public trust or credibility of the Lab & Denver Police Department.  
** People Leadership & Workforce Management*
* * Manage Forensic Managers, Supervisors, Criminalists, and professional staff, creating a culture of coaching, accountability, development, and succession planning.
* Provide background understanding and expertise in conflict resolution, HR‐related matters (EEO concerns, internal conflict, ethical dilemmas) while maintaining high standards within a complex, understaffed environment.
* Balance employee needs with mission readiness, ensuring staff feel heard while maintaining strict adherence to ISO‐accredited lab requirements.
* Implement policies, procedures, systems, and guidelines, ensuring the division meets or exceeds ISO:17025 accreditation standards.##
** Political Savvy & Stakeholder Engagement*
* * Have high political acuity and the ability to operate within a scrutinized enviornment managing diverse stakeholders.
* Understand how external pressures impact trust in…