Drug Chemistry Technical Leader​/Forensic Scientist

Working Title: Drug Chemistry Technical Leader / Forensic Scientist 3

Job : 94851

Location: Mankato

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Unlimited

Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers and DPS employees eligible to bid. Eligible bidders (permanent, classified employees in the same job classification) should apply through self-service and confirm their bid by emailing Madison.

Markgraf.us by 11:59 PM 06/30/2026.

Date Posted: 06/24/2026

Closing Date: 07/14/2026

Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MAPE

Work Shift/

Work Hours:

Day Shift

Days of Work: Monday
- Friday

Travel Required: Yes
- Up to 25% of the time

Salary Range: $38.55 - $57.35 / hourly; $80,492 - $119,746 / annually

Classified Status: Classified

Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is seeking an experienced candidate to serve as a Forensic Scientist 3 (Drug Chemistry Technical Leader) for its new Southern Regional Forensic Laboratory in Mankato, Minnesota, currently under construction with an estimated completion in March 2027.

The Drug Chemistry Technical Leader will play a critical role in the development, implementation, and ongoing technical operations of the Mankato laboratory. This position is being filled ahead of the facility’s grand opening to ensure thoughtful planning, technical readiness, and successful accreditation. During the initial phase, the selected candidate will be based in St. Paul, Minnesota to complete robust required training and onboarding.

This full-time, permanent position is the lead worker (Technical Leader) among the forensic scientists in the Drug Chemistry Section. This person will lead the technical activities of the section, which will include activities such as:

• Maintain the training program.
• Maintain the section's quality assurance program.
• Maintain the instruments used in the section.
• Provide the Criminal Justice System with the results and interpretation of analyses of submitted evidence.
• Perform technical and administrative reviews of cases.
• Assume the duties of the section supervisor in their absence.
• Testify as an expert witness as required.

These activities will be conducted in adherence to the agency policies and procedures in a manner that embodies the mission, vision, and values of the MN BCA. This position may be eligible to participate in the crime scene processing training series for inclusion in the Crime Scene Response Program.

• A bachelor’s degree in a physical or life science such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, forensic science or equivalent.
• Two years full-time experience as a Forensic Scientist 2 in the Drug Chemistry Section at the BCA Forensic Science Services or equivalent position and length at another ISO/IEC 17025 accredited forensic science laboratory.
• Experience testifying in a court of law as an expert witness in forensic drug chemistry analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities.

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a physical or life science such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, forensic science or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to follow laboratory quality assurance procedures, best laboratory practices, validation methods and the use of statistics to analyze data.
• Experience with a variety of drug chemistry techniques, instrumentation, and specialized computer software.
• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification.
• Operational knowledge of the ANAB Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Program.
• Experience with standard computer software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets).

Requires occasionally moving and transporting 50-pound items and frequently moving and transporting objects such as heavy tools and heavy file boxes. This job may require positioning self to move to a significant degree across rough terrain or may involve maintaining a stationary position for extended periods.

It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, which includes successful completion of the following background components:

• Criminal history
• Reference check
• SEMA4 records, personnel file and employment records (current and former State employees only)
• Psychological evaluation
• Driver's license history
• Fingerprints (MNJIS)
• Drug + cannabis screen
• Education verification

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a diverse, complex agency dedicated to serving communities across the state. DPS has 10 public facing and four support divisions with about 2,400 dedicated employees operating programs statewide that all have one goal:
Building a safer Minnesota.

Minnesota state agencies are equal…