Forensic Chemist I or II or III

Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Syracuse, NY, US

Responsibilities

  • Validation and performance of specialized testing procedures for the analysis of various drugs in biological specimens.
  • Sets up, operates, maintains and trains others in the use of scientific instruments used in analysis.
  • Certifies data for cases including postmortem and police agency.
  • Composes technical reports to convey findings of analyses, inclusive of identity and quantity.
  • Appears in court litigation as an expert witness.

Qualifications

Forensic Chemist III 

  • Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, medical technology, toxicology, criminalistics or a closely related field.
  • Minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours (graduate/undergraduate) in chemistry.
  • Five (5) years of paid technical level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a forensic laboratory or toxicology laboratory. 

Forensic Chemist 

  • Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, medical technology, toxicology, criminalistics or a closely related field.
  • Minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours (graduate/undergraduate) in chemistry.
  • Two (2) years of paid technical level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a forensic laboratory or toxicology laboratory. 

Forensic Chemist 

  • A. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees within the last ten (10) years with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, medical technology, toxicology, criminalistics or a closely related field which must include a minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours in chemistry and successful completion of an internship with a minimum of 100 hours in a Forensic Laboratory, or;
  • B. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in a natural science, forensic science, medical technology, toxicology, criminalistics or a closely related field which must include a minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours in chemistry and employment in a technical position in a Forensic Laboratory for six (6) months within the last five (5) years. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in a related field.
  • Experience with in Forensic Toxicology Laboratory and LC/MS/MS.
  • Experience with testimony as an expert witness.

Compensation

The salary is depending on qualifications and experience, with scheduled annual increases, and a competitive benefits package: 

  • Medical, dental and vision coverage
  • Annual vacation, sick, personal leave, and paid holidays
  • Conference allowance and ABFT membership
  • No-cost long term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • New York State Retirement/Pension and Deferred Compensation Programs

How to apply

An application may be initiated by submitting an Onondaga County employment application https://onondaga.gov/employment/wp-content/uploads/sites/212/2025/07/P-200-OC-App-8-5-x-11-rev-2025.pdf, cover letter, and resume to Forensic Toxicologist Kristie Barba at kristiebarba@ongov.net

Apply