Laboratory Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $46.39 - $66.73 Hourly
Location : Marquette, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 5501-26114-AA
Department: State Police
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)
Job Description
The Laboratory Director position is responsible for managing the technical and operational services of a forensic laboratory within the Forensic Science Division. The position is responsible for the oversight of multiple forensic disciplines that provide investigative support to the criminal justice community across a large geographical area of the state. The position serves as the principal forensic science liaison to all law enforcement agencies to establish and maintain cooperative relationships at the local, county, state, and federal levels.
This position is responsible for maintaining laboratory policies, procedures, and compliance with the accrediting body's accreditation standards to ensure the laboratory maintains its accreditation and integrity in the scientific community. Develops plans with division administration for the growth and expansion of the services to maintain compliance with legislative mandates and scientific work group's recommendations. This position serves as an accreditation assessor and conducts external audits of other accredited laboratories at the local, county, and state levels nationwide, as well as self-assessments annually of each of the MSP forensic laboratories statewide. This position functions in a bias free manner.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) is a full-service policing agency with statewide jurisdiction, providing over 60 different services either directly to Michigan residents or in support of other law enforcement agencies. The MSP personnel most visible to the public are the uniform troopers whose primary responsibilities include traffic enforcement, crime prevention and investigation, and community engagement and service.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in forensic science, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, criminal justice, or a related pure or applied scientific field.
Experience
Three years of experience equivalent to a Forensic Scientist 12, or as a State Police Specialist (Sergeant) 12 or State Police Sergeant 12 in the Forensic Science Division; or one year of experience equivalent to a State Police Laboratory Manager 14 or a State Police Technical Leader 15.
OR
A high school diploma or GED Certificate or higher and eight years of experience in the Forensic Science Division, including a minimum of six years as a State Police Specialist Sergeant 12 or four years as a State Police Detective Lieutenant 14.
Additional Requirements and Information
Specific positions may require that applicants have experience in specialized areas.
This position requires passing a pre-employment screening, including passing a drug screen, criminal history background check, and a fingerprint check by the Michigan State Police.
Please attach a cover letter/memo, resume, and official college transcripts (if applicable) to your application.
Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Please note: Applicants will be screened out for failure to attach the required resume, cover letter/memo, and (if applicable) official transcripts to their application.
View the entire job specification at:
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
STPLBDIR - Do you possess one of the following:A bachelor's degree or higher in forensic science, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related pure or applied scientific field, and at least three years of experience equivalent to a Forensic Scientist 12, or as a State Police Specialist (Sergeant) 12 or State Police Sergeant 12 in the Forensic Science Division; or one year of experience equivalent to a State Police Laboratory Manager in the Forensic Science Division. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.ORA high school diploma or GED Certificate or higher and eight years of experience in the Forensic Science Division, including a minimum of six years as a State Police Specialist Sergeant 12 or four years as a State Police Detective Lieutenant 14.

• Yes
• No

02
STPLBDIR - Do you possess a valid Michigan driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03
MSPCRIMHST - Please check all that apply.

• Convicted of a felony (provide date, offense, location and disposition below)
• Convicted of a misdemeanor (provide date, offense, location and disposition below)
• Felony criminal charges are pending (please explain below)
• None

04
MSPCRIMHST1 - If "Yes," please describe each with the respective date, offense, location, and disposition. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.
05
MSPNEP - Please review the For this selection, is there a potential to violate the policy?

• Yes
• No

06
MSPNEP1 - If you responded yes to potentially violating the , please provide the name and relationship of the individual. If none, please respond N/A.
07
Do you have work experience gained within an MSP Forensic Laboratory?

• Yes
• No

08
Please explain your work experience gained within an MSP Forensic Laboratory?
09
Do you have an awareness of critical issues facing the forensic science profession?

• Yes
• No

10
Please explain your awareness of critical issues facing the forensic science profession?
11
Do you have experience in being innovative and presenting your ideas to others for consideration?

• Yes
• No

12
Please explain your experience being innovative and presenting your ideas to others for consideration.
13
Do you have experience providing leadership?

• Yes
• No

14
Please explain your experience providing leadership.
15
Do you have experience in assessing any aspect of current operations and evaluating its conformance to accreditation and/or quality assurance standards?

• Yes
• No

16
Please explain your experience in assessing any aspect of current operations and evaluating its conformance to accreditation and/or quality assurance standards.
17
MSPINTDOCS - Have you added all of the following required documents to your application, specifically within the "attachments" section as separate documents?

• Cover letter/memo
• Resume
• Official Transcript (if applicable)
• DD 214 (if applicable)

Failure to attach the required documents to your application will result in your application being screened out.

• Yes
• No

Required Question