Laboratory Manager, Illicit Drug Analysis Unit

**Employment Type**: Temporary Full Time up to February 2026 with potential availability of ongoing employment

**Position Classification**: Health Manager Level 4
**Remuneration**: $141,974.00 - $169,151.00 per annum plus superannuation
**Hours Per Week**: 38
**Requisition ID**: REQ576748

**Location**: FASS Lidcombe, NSW.

**Application close**:2nd June 2025 - 11:59pm

**About the opportunity**

The Illicit Drug Analysis Unit, operating within the Criminalistics Branch, is seeking a laboratory manager to lead a dynamic team of dedicated scientific professionals providing illicit drug analysis services for the people of NSW.

The Forensic Analytical & Science Service is part of NSW Health Pathology and specialises in providing independent and objective forensic analysis to the criminal and coronial justice systems, as well as quality scientific analysis that contributes to community health and safety. Our services include illicit drug analysis, forensic and drug toxicology, chemical criminalistics, forensic biology and DNA, forensic medicine, environmental toxicology, and environmental microbiology.

**What we can offer you**
- Accrued Days Off in addition to Annual Leave OR 9 day fortnight in addition to annual leave
- Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning

**What you'll be doing**

Providing operational and scientific leadership and management of the unit, contributing to the strategic vision of FASS. The role ensures service delivery outcomes are met in accordance with agreed key performance indicators, client expectations and allocation of resources in a NATA accredited unit.
- Hold a Science tertiary qualification relevant to the Unit and demonstrated extensive experience relevant to the Unit, field or specialty area, in an accredited laboratory or relevant environment.
- Proven operational management skills including appropriate resource allocation and the capacity to have critical conversations and make managerial decisions to meet KPIs.
- Ability to successfully lead a team, with commitment to the professional development and mentorship of staff, and supporting a workforce culture that is resilient and capable of supporting change.
- Demonstrated experience in contributing to improvements to service delivery, and use of financial, statistical, human resources and management data to proactively improve laboratory efficiency and effectiveness.
- Advanced knowledge of current quality management systems and NATA Forensic Accreditation requirements, including the ability to formulate and manage a laboratory quality assurance programme.
- Demonstrated high level interpersonal, communication, negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders, provide customer consultancy and give expert evidence in courts.
- Advanced knowledge of analytical instrumentation, emerging trends and technologies relevant to the Unit’s field or specialty area, to inform strategic direction.
- Demonstrated capacity to adopt and model the NSWHP RITE values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence.

**Need more information?**

**Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases**

This is a Category A position. All Category A applicants must read and understand _NSW Health_ _Policy Directive _PD2024_015_ Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Diseases_. All recruits must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. All recruits must provide evidence against specified diseases and comply with the requirements of this policy at their **own cost** prior to appointment.

**New to NSW Health Pathology?**

**Talent Pool**

**Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion**

NSW Health Pathology is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We seek to recruit from diverse applicants and create teams with skills, perspectives and experiences that complement each other at work. We welcome suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, ethnicity, socio-cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

All staff employed by NSW FASS will be required to supply a reference buccal sample so that their DNA profile can be compared to other generated profiles to exclude the possibility of contamination.