Team Lead, Forensic Biology

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Forensic Services, the Team Lead is responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and delivery of operational activities within the Alberta Forensic DNA Laboratory. The position provides technical and supervisory leadership to a team of forensic scientists and support staff, ensuring forensic DNA analyses are conducted in accordance with established protocols, accreditation standards, quality assurance frameworks, and scientific best practices.

The Team Lead ensures the delivery of high-quality, timely, and reliable forensic services that support criminal investigations and judicial proceedings across Alberta.
Key Responsibilities

Operational and Laboratory Oversight

•    Support the design, validation, and implementation of forensic DNA methods, workflows, and procedures, working in collaboration with the Scientific Lead to transition validated processes into operational use.
•    Coordinate and manage day-to-day forensic biology casework activities, including workflow, prioritization, and resource allocation.
•    Monitor laboratory productivity, quality, and turnaround times to ensure performance standards are achieved.
•    Provide technical oversight and review of casework to support compliance with accreditation and quality assurance requirements. 
•    Oversee evidence handling, documentation, and data management practices to ensure alignment with judicial, accreditation, and professional standards.

Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance

•    Provide subject matter expertise and technical supervision in forensic DNA analysis.
•    Support and contribute to the implementation of new testing methodologies, validation studies, and analytical procedures.
•    Ensure staff competency, compliance, and the consistent application of validated methods and procedures.
•    Maintain audit readiness through adherence to standard operating procedures, quality assurance requirements, chain-of-custody standards, and safety protocols.

People Leadership and Workforce Development

•    Supervise and support forensic laboratory staff, including recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation.
•    Foster a culture of professional growth, accountability, collaboration, and scientific excellence.
•    Identify training needs and support continuous learning and competency development within the team.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Court Support

•    Maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement agencies, Crown prosecutors, and other forensic laboratories.
•    Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery and effective communication with partners.
•    Represent the laboratory on provincial committees and working groups, contributing subject matter expertise to support coordination, policy development, and alignment across the justice system. 
•    As required, provide expert testimony in court, delivering clear, objective, and scientifically defensible explanations of forensic methods and results.

This role is critical to maintaining the operational effectiveness and scientific integrity of Alberta’s Provincial DNA Laboratory. Through strong technical leadership and supervisory oversight, the Team Lead directly supports public safety and the administration of justice.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Qualifications

Required

•    Doctoral degree (PhD) in forensic science, molecular biology, genetics, or a related scientific discipline plus 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human forensic DNA analysis.
•    Significant experience conducting human forensic DNA analysis within an accredited laboratory environment. 
•    Demonstrated experience providing technical guidance and supervising scientific or technical staff. 
•    Strong knowledge of forensic DNA standards, accreditation requirements, and quality assurance principles.
•    Eligibility to provide expert testimony in court.

Equivalency

•    Master’s degree in a related discipline plus a minimum of 7 years related experience in human forensic DNA analysis.

Assets

•    Experience supporting method validation, audits, or accreditation activities. 
•    Experience working within a government or public sector forensic environment, including familiarity with the National DNA Data Bank (NDDB/CODIS) and associated requirements. 
•    Experience collaborating with law enforcement and justice partners.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

•    Office is located in Sherwood Park, Alberta 
•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (full time)
•    Monday to Friday (8:15 am to 4:30 pm)

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Other Application Information:

•    Please include a cover letter outlining how your education and skills align with the role.
•    Final candidates may be required to undergo a written assignment and/or presentation demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
•    This position will require final candidates to undergo an enhanced fingerprint-based security clearance.
•    Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.  

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
•    Leadership and mentorship programs