Mankato Assistant Lab Director​/Forensic Laboratory Asst Dir

Mankato Assistant Lab Director / Forensic Laboratory Asst Dir

Working Title: Mankato Assistant Lab Director / Forensic Laboratory Asst Dir

• Job : 94504
• Location
  :
  Mankato
• Full/Part Time
  :
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary
  :
  Unlimited
• Who May Apply
  :
  Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted
  : 06/02/2026
• Closing Date
  : 06/22/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit
  :
  Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-Managerial
• Work Shift/Work Hours
  :
  Day Shift
• Days of Work
  :
  Monday
  - Friday
• Travel Required
  :
  Yes
  - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range
  : $47.38 - $68.02 / hourly; $98,929 - $142,025 / annually
• Classified Status
  :
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union
  : 220 - Manager/Unrep

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking forensic science leader to serve as Assistant Laboratory Director (ALD) for its new Southern Regional Forensic Laboratory in Mankato, Minnesota
, currently under construction with estimated completion in March 2027
. This modern 56,000 square foot regional office and forensic science laboratory will bring together a team of agents, forensic scientists, support staff, and a crime scene response team.

The Mankato laboratory will provide a range of forensic services, including:

• Evidence intake
• Digital evidence examination
• DNA analysis
• Other forensic technologies such as:
  National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) for firearm analysis and rapid DNA

This is a unique and highly impactful leadership opportunity to help build, shape, and launch a state‑of‑the‑art forensic laboratory that will serve the Minnesota criminal justice system for decades to come. This full‑time permanent position assists the Deputy Superintendent of Forensic Science Services in directing the delivery of a full range of state‑of‑the‑art and competent forensic laboratory services to the Minnesota Criminal Justice System and to supervise the staff under their control.

BCA Forensic Science Services (FSS) currently operates three laboratory locations:

• Headquarters Laboratory – St. Paul
• Northern Regional Laboratory – Bemidji
• Satellite Laboratory – St. Cloud

The addition of the Mankato facility marks a major expansion of forensic service delivery in Minnesota and reflects a strong commitment to public safety, scientific excellence, and regional accessibility.

The Assistant Laboratory Director will play a critical leadership role in the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of the new Mankato laboratory. This position is being filled now—well ahead of the facility’s opening—to ensure thoughtful planning, strong operational readiness, and successful accreditation.

During the initial phase, the selected candidate will be based in St. Paul for onboarding and operational buildout, while integrating with the BCA FSS leadership team to cultivate relationships, align on organizational values, and intentionally carry forward the culture and standards of excellence into the new Mankato laboratory. The position will transition to a permanent work location in Mankato upon completion of the facility.

The selected candidate will be directly responsible for helping bring a new forensic laboratory to life by shaping its culture, operations, and long‑term impact.

Working in close partnership with the Laboratory Director, the Assistant Laboratory Director will:

• Lead laboratory start‑up efforts, including staffing plans, hiring timelines, and operational readiness
• Oversee service delivery development, ensuring efficient and responsive forensic operations
• Direct accreditation preparation and compliance with applicable standards and regulations
• Manage equipment procurement, method validation, and procedure implementation
• Provide strategic…