Chief Toxicologist

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is currently recruiting a PhD level Board-Certified forensic toxicologist to fill the Chief Toxicologist position for the State of West Virginia. The position is located at the OCME laboratory in Charleston, West Virginia.

This position may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $12,000 in relocation expenses.

The Chief Toxicologist supervises the post-mortem toxicology laboratory and prepares toxicology reports in preparation for potential expert testimony in courts statewide. The Chief Toxicologist provides direct support to the forensic pathologists who are on staff at the OCME.

Relevant features:

• Code-mandated single-mission office to determine cause and manner of death
• Statewide Medical Examiner system with independence protected by Code
• Investigative reports are not public documents in West Virginia
• Secure facility with highly restricted access
• Liability protection provided by State
• Reasonable relocation fees reimbursed

Minimum Qualifications / Training:

• Possession of Doctorate from an accredited university in a forensic science discipline, toxicology, chemistry, pharmacology, or PharmD
• Five years of experience in a forensic laboratory performing postmortem analyses, or a medical examiner/coroner office AND at least two years of planning and supervising the activities of the laboratory and staff
• Court qualified as an expert in toxicology
• Board Certification in Forensic Toxicology

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

• Experience in an accredited facility: e.g. ASCLD/Lab International, NAME or ABFT
• Senior level experience in a private sector laboratory or medical facility
• Court qualified as an expert in a forensic specialty Other Requirements:
• The applicant must successfully complete a background investigation prior to the start of employment.
• The applicant must be able to obtain a valid West Virginia Driver’s license.

Abilities:

• Possess a sufficient knowledge base, judgement and interpersonal skills to provide leadership and direction to staff level forensic analysts and support staff in order to competently conduct effective postmortem toxicology laboratory operations in direct support of a wide variety of death circumstances.
• Possess a sufficient knowledge base to provide consultation services to the Chief Medical Examiner and staff forensic pathologists for their individually assigned medicolegal death investigations.
• Ability to follow the departmental or institutional policies established for the OCME workplace
• Ability to clearly communicate with a wide variety of people, both orally and in writing

Benefits Include:

• Paid vacation, holidays and sick/family sick leave
• Health, dental, vision, retiree health, basic life, and supplemental life insurance
• Employee wellness clinic
• Flex benefits
• Deferred compensation and retirement