Posting Details
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety's Forensic Laboratory Bureau demonstrates leadership, professionalism, and integrity in supporting law enforcement agencies, the criminal justice system, and the courts throughout the State of New Mexico. The Bureau is responsible for the scientific analysis of forensic evidence collected during criminal investigations and for providing accurate, objective, and unbiased findings to support the pursuit of justice.
The Bureau is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific excellence, ethical practice, and accreditation compliance. Staff provide scientifically rigorous forensic analysis in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards and FBI Quality Assurance Standards, ensuring all forensic testing and reporting is conducted with accuracy, reliability, and impartiality.
The Forensic Laboratory Bureau serves approximately 300 law enforcement agencies statewide and provides expert scientific testimony in all 13 Judicial Districts as well as Federal Court proceedings. The Bureau operates three accredited forensic laboratories located in Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Hobbs. These laboratories provide forensic analysis in four primary scientific disciplines: DNA, Firearms and Toolmarks, Latent Prints, Drug Chemistry/Controlled Substances, and Fire Debris.
Through its statewide forensic services, expert testimony, and commitment to scientific integrity, the Bureau plays a critical role in supporting public safety, criminal investigations, and the administration of justice across New Mexico.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to provide executive leadership, scientific governance, and statewide oversight of New Mexico's forensic laboratory system. The Senior Executive Manager, Criminal Forensic Science ensures the integrity, reliability, and accreditation of all forensic operations across three laboratories and four scientific disciplines. The position safeguards public trust by maintaining ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, ensuring compliance with FBI Quality Assurance Standards, overseeing the statewide forensic quality system, and exercising authority to halt laboratory operations when necessary to protect health, safety, or scientific validity. The role ensures that forensic science in New Mexico meets the highest national standards and supports the fair administration of justice.
How does it get done?
- Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the statewide forensic laboratory system, overseeing 59 positions across three laboratory locations in Hobbs, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.
- Ensures that forensic examinations, conclusions, and testimony are conducted objectively, based on sound scientific principles, and in accordance with accepted forensic science practices.
- Leads workforce planning efforts, including recruitment, staff development, mentoring, and succession planning, to maintain a strong and sustainable forensic laboratory program.
- Ensure compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation requirements, FBI Quality Assurance Standards (QAS), and all applicable state and federal regulations.
- Exercise authority to suspend laboratory operations or specific scientific disciplines when compliance, health, safety, or scientific integrity concerns arise.
- Oversee the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and adherence to published laboratory standards.
- Direct the development, validation, and implementation of forensic methods, instrumentation, and scientific procedures across all disciplines.
- Oversee laboratory health and safety programs, including exposure control, hazardous materials handling, and emergency response readiness.
- Manage laboratory budgets, grants, procurement, contracts and resource allocation to support operational efficiency and scientific advancement.
- Provide expert-level coordination with judicial partners, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and federal partners to ensure forensic testimony and scientific practices meet evolving legal standards.
- Prepare and present statistical, operational, and performance reports to cabinet-level leadership, legislative stakeholders, and judicial partners.
- Oversee complaint intake, tracking, and resolution for internal, external, and public concerns related to forensic operations.
- Works with staff to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased efficiency.
Who are the customers?
Work is performed for:
- New Mexico law enforcement agencies across the state.
- Prosecutors and judicial partners at the state and federal level
- The Department of Public Safety and cabinet-level leadership
- The citizens of New Mexico who rely on accurate, unbiased forensic science
- Internal forensic laboratory staff requiring leadership, oversight, and scientific governance
Ideal Candidate
Work is performed for:
- New Mexico law enforcement agencies across the state.
- Prosecutors and judicial partners at the state and federal level
- The Department of Public Safety and cabinet-level leadership
- The citizens of New Mexico who rely on accurate, unbiased forensic science
- Internal forensic laboratory staff requiring leadership, oversight, and scientific governance
Minimum Qualification
Master's degree from an accredited college or university and twelve (12) years of experience in a forensic laboratory performing scientific analysis and six (6) years as a working manager or supervisor in a forensic laboratory performing scientific analysis. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling twenty-four (24) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's Licenses, a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of employment within six (6) months of date of hire. Continued employment is subject to a National fingerprint-based records check within 30 days of assignment and contingent upon remaining felony-free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information System Security Policy.
Local, in-state and out-of-state travel may be required. Overtime may be required to meet deadlines, peak performance periods, time-sensitive information requests, and other projects.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a fast-paced forensic laboratory and law enforcement environment with exposure to armed law enforcement personnel, confidential information, and sensitive criminal justice data. Duties may involve entering laboratory spaces where there is potential exposure to chemical hazards, biological materials, controlled substances, firearms/toolmarks evidence, and other forensic evidence types. Work may require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), adherence to laboratory safety protocols, and participation in emergency response or contamination-control procedures.
Extensive use of desktop/laptop computers with multiple visual/video display terminals (VDT) and agency-issued mobile devices is required. Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds and travel between laboratory locations as needed.
Supplemental Information
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Agency Contact Information: Louise Riebe (505) 827-9080 Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
