Forensic Laboratory Aide

Las-Vegas-Metropolitan-Police-Department

Las Vegas (NV)

On-site

USD 52,000 - 76,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is seeking a Laboratory Support Technician to assist the forensic science staff by maintaining inventory of chemicals and supplies, preparing solutions, and performing quality control on equipment and reagents.

Candidates should hold an Associate’s degree with at least 14 semester credits in a science field, provide legible transcripts, and be eligible for a Nevada driver license; U.S.

Qualifications

Associate’s degree with at least 14 passing credits in science or forensic field.
Legible transcripts proving educational requirements must be attached at submission.
Possess or obtain a Nevada driver license.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident without conditions by the first test date.
Must be at least 18 years old by the date of the first test instrument.

Responsibilities

Provide support to scientific staff in the forensic laboratory.
Maintain inventory of chemicals, kits, scientific materials and supplies.
Prepare chemical solutions and reagents; perform quality control on equipment and reagents.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Excellent written and verbal skills

Organizational skills

MS Office proficiency

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Associate's degree with 14 credits in science or forensic science

Job description

This recruitment is limited to the first 200 applications received from qualified applicants, and the closing date may be adjusted if the application limit is reached prior to the posted closing date. Before applying, please ensure that you are available to complete the entire testing process, per the dates on this posting.

Salary Information

The salary for this position is negotiated through a collective bargaining agreement. All new employees will be hired at the minimum salary in the range and will be eligible for merit increases until reaching the maximum salary in the range.

Definition

Incumbents provide support to scientific staff in the forensic laboratory, including, but not limited to, maintaining the inventory of chemicals, forensic kits, scientific materials and supplies, and references; prepare chemical solutions and reagents; perform quality control on equipment and reagents. Click here to view a complete copy of the class specification, including environmental and physical conditions.

Training, Education and Experience

Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 14 passing semester college-level credits in a chemical, physical, or biological science, or a forensic science related field. Applicants MUST attach a copy of their LEGIBLE transcript(s) which demonstrates proof of educational requirements, to their application at the time of submission as outlined in the Application Filing Section. Failure to attach a legible qualifying transcript will result in automatic disqualification.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Nevada driver license.
Be a citizen/naturalized citizen or permanent resident alien without conditions on status of the United States of America by the date of the first test instrument.
Be at least 18 years old by the date of the first test instrument.

Best Candidates Will Have

One year of full-time work experience in a scientific laboratory environment maintaining and/or operating basic laboratory equipment and using basic laboratory techniques and safety procedures.
Experience and proficiency in various Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
Experience identifying and resolving discrepancies/anomalies in a professional work setting.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent work ethic.
Excellent organization and multi-tasking skills with the ability to prioritize assignments.
The ability to work well under pressure and accept constructive criticism.

Conditions of Employment

Personal Appearance: While on duty, and/or representing the Department, uniformed or otherwise, all Department employees will be neat and clean in their appearance in public. Employees are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles or jewelry on or through the nose, tongue, eyebrow or other exposed body part, except the ears for females, while on duty. Employees are prohibited from stretching or "gauging" their earlobes. All jewelry implants will not be exposed or visible while on duty. Tattoos or branding will not be exposed or visible while on duty and/or representing the Department. Such markings must be covered by clothing. Markings that cannot be covered by clothing will be covered using neutral-toned bandages or patches except for hands, neck, head, or face tattoos. Makeup is not permissible to cover a tattoo. Tattoos or branding anywhere on the body that promote racism/discrimination, indecency, extremist or supremacist philosophies, lawlessness, violence, or contain sexually explicit material are prohibited.
Participate in the LVMPD Mental Wellness Program.
Are required to submit a DNA sample for entry into the LVMPD DNA Staff Elimination Index System.
Will be subjected to random drug testing as part of the LVMPD Department Drug Testing Program.
Are required to maintain a Nevada driver license for commuting between the regular workplace and offsite work locations.
Vision sufficient to read fine print on computers, distinguish fine details when looking through scientific instruments to examine evidence items, as well as distinguish color, contrast, patterns, and dimensions.
Speech sufficient to interact with coworkers on assignments and work issues as well as to provide tours of the forensic laboratory.
Hearing sufficient to hear instructions, training content, and conversations.
Agility and mobility sufficient to stand, walk, stoop, bend, reach, rotate and extend neck, and balance self while using laboratory and/or standard office equipment, as well as lift, push, and pull files, documents, laboratory equipment, and/or standard office equipment.
Dexterity sufficient to manipulate instruments and small items accurately over an extended period of time, as well as write labels on test tubes and small testing vessels.
Strength and mobility sufficient to lift items up to 50 lbs with or without aid of equipment.
Endurance sufficient to sit or stand for long periods of time, as necessary.

Environmental Conditions

Laboratoryand officeenvironment; use of latex and nitrile gloves, respirators, and/or air masks.
Exposure to potentially hazardouschemicals, human body fluids, bloodborne pathogens, biological hazards such as viruses and germs, and other hazardous evidence items.
Exposure to computer screens.
Road and traffic conditions while driving a vehicle when conducting Department business.

Application Filing

Applications as well as LEGIBLE copy of transcripts must be submitted online and received by the posted closing date and time (PST). Decisions on an applicant's qualifications for this position will be made solely on the information contained in the application and transcript(s) and therefore, should be filled out in its entirety.

LEGIBLE copy of transcript(s) must demonstrate proof of educational requirements and include candidate's name, name of the college or university, name of the degree earned, date the degree was awarded, and number of credits earned. Candidates MUST highlight the courses that fulfill the minimum of 14 passing semester college-level credits in a chemical, physical, or biological science, or a forensic science related field, on their transcript(s). Failure to attach a LEGIBLE qualifying transcript will result in automatic disqualification.

To determine your status after submitting an employment application, you may access your account by going to https://www.governmentjobs.com/Applications/Index/lvmpd.

Current LVMPD Full-Time and Part-Time Employees, Interns and Volunteers

Applications from full-time or part-time LVMPD members, interns and volunteers will be accepted through the closing date and time regardless of the number of applications received. To obtain an application packet once the application limit is reached and the posting is no longer visible, please contact the OHR representative listed below in the Inquiries Section. To ensure you meet the closing date and time, you are encouraged not to wait until the last day to request the application packet.

Application Screening (Pass/Fail)

Applications and LEGIBLE copies of transcript(s) will be reviewed to determine those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are in the top group to continue in the testing process. These qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the remainder of the testing process set forth below. Applicants will be notified of the results of the screening process via email. If you have not received your notification by 5:00 pm PST on Thursday, September 3, 2026, it is your responsibility to confirm your eligibility to test for this position by contacting the OHR representative listed below in the Inquiries Section.

Exam Dates*

Exam #1: Written Exam (Weighted 20%) – Monday, September 14, 2026

The Written Exam will be administered in person at the LVMPD Headquarters in Las Vegas, NV. Only candidates who pass and are in the top scoring group from the Written Exam will be invited to continue to the Practical Exam.

Exam #1: Practical Exam (Weighted 30%) – Tuesday, September 15, 2026

The Practical Exam will be administered in person at the LVMPD Headquarters in Las Vegas, NV. Only candidates who pass and are in the top scoring group from the Practical Exam will be invited to continue to the Oral Board Exam.

Exam #3: Oral Board Exam (Weighted 50%) – Beginning, Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Oral Board Interviews will NOT be conducted in person. Interviews will be conducted online via WebEx.

The LVMPD reserves the right to modify the selection processes and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards.

Due to security reasons, personal belongings permitted in the testing facility will be limited. Items such as large backpacks, briefcases, duffle bags or similar items may not be allowed. Those items permitted will be left to the discretion of the LVMPD employees administering the examination and may be subject to a search.

If you believe you are eligible for Veteran's Preference Points and want to be considered for them, you MUST attach your DD Form 214 (Member-2 or 4) or Statement/Proof of Service to your application showing 181 days of active duty in good standing. We are no longer accepting hard copies at the time of your Oral Board. For more information on Veteran's Preference Points, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the employment page at https://protectthecity.com/applicants/apply-now/frequently-asked-questions.

Additional Selection Processes

If you successfully complete the above selection process, you will undergo a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph exam. A polygraph examination can be stressful and may affect existing medical or psychological conditions or ongoing treatment. Candidates are encouraged to consult with their personal physicians to discuss whether the polygraph will affect a condition or treatment and then follow the guidance of their medical professional.

Background investigation takes approximately 90 to 120 days to complete. You must also meet the LVMPD Hiring Standards. LVMPD employees participate in the Department’s random drug screening process. For more information on the background process, click https://youtu.be/LpAUnwRbT9o for a quick video or https://www.protectthecity.com/applicants/employment-standards/background-investigation for specific information.

Please visit the FAQs available on our employment site for a listing of the LVMPD's open competitive selection and employment policies, and other pertinent information. Please visit www.protectthecity.com for additional information pertaining to the LVMPD and its hiring process.

Inquiries