Director of Forensic Education Programs

Title: Director of Forensic Education Programs

Employee Classification: Dir Forensic Education Program

Campus: University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Health Institutes & Centers

Department: HSC-Center for Human ID-304600

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Center for Human Identification (CHI) at UNT Health is an accredited forensic lab designated as a criminal justice agency by the state of Texas. Globally recognized for its expertise, CHI offers forensic DNA testing, forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), CODIS operations, anthropological analysis, investigative support, cutting-edge research initiatives, and forensic training and education.  CHI was the first public lab in the nation accredited to perform forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) and manages the Texas Missing Persons DNA Database.

Position Overview

The Director, Forensic Education Programs will be responsible for managing, organizing, developing, implementing, facilitating, administrating and evaluating all of CHI’s forensic training and educational programs for forensic scientists, law enforcement and medicolegal stakeholders. Among these will be The Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program, created to supplement training for accredited forensic DNA laboratories throughout Texas. This position will be responsible for the development of training curriculum and supporting materials, the oversight of the program’s apprenticeships to ensure timely completion, and collaboration with subject matter experts and the state oversight agencies as needed to ensure delivery of a comprehensive training program with successful return. The position will also manage CHI’s existing training partnerships and expand its profile as a statewide, national, and international, center for forensic training, developing partnerships, tailoring programs, and utilizing CHI’s team of experts to meet the evolving needs of the forensic science community.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an advanced degree in biology, chemistry or a forensic science-related area, and a minimum of seven (7) years of experience as a qualified forensic DNA analyst (or equivalent title) in an accredited forensic DNA laboratory; or an equivalent combination of experience and education. The Director of Forensic Education Programs must be a currently or previously qualified forensic DNA analyst with hands-on casework experience in extraction, quantification, amplification, and detection methodologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the FBI Quality Assurance Standards and other published standards, guidelines and best practice recommendations (e.g., OSAC, SWGDAM) within the forensic DNA community.
• Knowledge of the TFSC Forensic Analyst Licensing Program (e.g., examination preparation, exam domains, syllabus for preparation).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Strong ability to collaborate and foster collaboration across forensic and criminal justice professions.
• Excellent presentation skills, both visual and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Probabilistic genotyping software and serology.
• Experience developing forensic training materials/curriculum.
• Applicant preferred to have completed nine (9) credit hours of college coursework (preferably at the graduate level) in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry, and completed a three-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college level statistics course from an accredited university or a program approved by TFSC.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

The Director of Forensic Education Programs must be a currently or previously qualified forensic DNA analyst with hands-on casework experience in extraction, quantification, amplification, and detection methodologies.

Job Duties

• Development and management of a training program to support CHI’s Apprenticeship (as outlined in TX SB 1620), with considerations provided by a statewide training curriculum working group.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with state oversight agencies, program partners, and campus partners to produce curriculum and codify results.
  • Track progress of apprenticeship participants and direct engagement with participants to discuss completion status of modules.
  • Secure availability for virtual sessions with participants to address questions and discuss troubleshooting efforts.
  • Develop of knowledge assessments as a tool to gauge apprenticeship effectiveness and individual participant progress and completion.
  • Design and track apprenticeship production metrics for reporting to the Texas State Legislature. o Outreach to participating laboratories to ensure alignment of timelines, progress of participants, and provision of additional resources as needed.
  • Develop on-site capstone event to demonstrate trainees’ competency.
  • Continual assessment of standards published on the OSAC Registry with specific requirements for training, ensuring training materials are in compliance.
• Create on-demand catalogue of training modules that will be available through CHI’s online course offering platform to allow for self-paced learning.
• Supervise and seek opportunities to develop and expand CHI training partnership with TxDPS. 
• Administer training agreement with Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC) to host multiple onsite training programs for Texas forensic/law enforcement communities.
• Partner with CHI’s ISU Unit to develop Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training programs which will fulfill continuing education credit requirements for law enforcement. 
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to supplement training materials as needed. 
• Assess programs, develop data and metrics, and produce program reports. 
• Communicate and coordinate with partner agencies regarding curriculum, policies, and logistics. 
• Work with CHI International Coordinator on consular/international training requests. 
• Promote collaboration between agencies and the high level of expertise in Texas as a national model for the forensic world.
• Connect with labs, LEAs, and medicolegal agencies who have expressed interest in training for their employees/officers/prosecutors.
• Maintain continuing education on the evolving aspects of forensic genetics/genomics to inform curriculum updates, especially as it relates to emerging technologies. 

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

8:00a - 5:00p, M - F (with potential for flexible work arrangement)

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. Employment at the Center for Human Identification is contingent upon your agreement to provide a DNA sample for purposes of quality control to detect sample contamination.

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.