Forensic Scientist II, III, IV

Pay

Pay Range: $26.57 – $33.21 per hour.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm.

Benefits

• 11 Paid Holidays
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Pension Plan
• Professional Development Opportunities

About the role

The City of Fort Worth serves nearly 1,000,000 residents and values exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability. The Police Department Chemistry Unit is seeking Forensic Scientists (II, III, IV) to work in the drug analysis section of the Crime Laboratory. The chemist will perform qualitative analyses of controlled substances, pharmaceutical preparations, and plant materials using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy, as well as toxicological analysis for blood alcohol concentration using headspace analysis. Responsibilities also include scientific consultation, report writing, and expert‑witness testimony. The Crime Laboratory is ANAB accredited.

Minimum Qualifications

• Forensic Scientist II – Chemist: 3 years of relevant independent discipline‑specific casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist I.
• Forensic Scientist III – Chemist: 5 years of more complex independent forensic casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist.
• Forensic Scientist IV – Chemist: 7 years of highly complex independent discipline‑specific casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with GC‑MS, FT‑IR and/or LC‑MS in analyzing illegal substances.
• Experience performing blood‑alcohol determinations using headspace GC and GC/MS technology.
• Experience as an expert witness in court and preparing scientific reports for law‑enforcement agencies.
• Familiarity with ANAB accreditation or prior ASCLD/LAB requirements and strong knowledge of quality‑assurance and quality‑control principles.

Responsibilities

Forensic Scientist II – Chemist

• Collect, preserve, and maintain integrity of evidence; examine evidence; document description and condition; maintain chain of custody.
• Perform complex analytical examinations utilizing chemistry.
• Conduct chemical, physical, and microscopic examinations for identification and comparison of evidence.
• Maintain, review, and implement extensive quality‑assurance measures to ensure laboratory data quality.
• Prepare detailed reports on test results and form conclusions.
• Consult with detectives, outside agencies, and prosecutors to provide scientific information.
• Testify in court as an expert witness, explaining procedures and defending findings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Forensic Scientist III – Chemist

• Perform all duties of a Forensic Scientist II and unit‑specific requirements.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement Program by collecting customer feedback and maintaining professional relationships.
• Facilitate evidence discoveries with court personnel and Fort Worth Police Department members.
• Train new analysts assigned to the unit.
• Teach unit‑specific discipline to law‑enforcement training academy recruits.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and methods within the unit.
• May be assigned specialized projects to benefit the laboratory or Forensic Division.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Forensic Scientist IV – Chemist

• Perform all duties of a Forensic Scientist III and unit‑specific requirements.
• Validate new methods for advanced instrumentation or platforms.
• Assist the unit supervisor in writing procedures and policies.
• Recommend continuous‑improvement actions to management.
• Develop, modify, and maintain manuals, training documents, and controlled forms (with supervisor approval).
• Serve as software application administrator for the laboratory information management system.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance with vendors for scientific instrumentation.
• Assume unit‑lead responsibilities in the absence of the Forensic Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Positions may require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, and repetitive motions. Work involves hazardous materials and chemicals and may expose employees to hazardous or dangerous environments. Physical demands are classified as Light Work, with occasional exertion of up to 50 lb, frequent exertion of up to 20 lb, and constant exertion of up to 20 lb.

Background Check and Employment Conditions

Final candidates will undergo a fingerprint‑based Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background check, polygraph examination, and must not have used marijuana in the past two years or any controlled substance illegally in the past five years. Disqualifying factors include felony convictions, felony deferred adjudication, Class A or B misdemeanor convictions or deferred adjudications within the last 10 years, open arrests, and any family‑violence conviction. Successful hires must maintain CJIS eligibility and may be subject to additional pre‑employment checks such as drug screening and education verification.