Forensic Scientist II, III, IV

cityoffortworth; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 Paid Holidays

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid Time Off

Pension Plan

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

The City of Fort Worth Police Department Chemistry Unit is seeking Forensic Scientist II, III, or IV - Chemist to perform qualitative analyses of controlled substances, pharmaceutical preparations, and plant materials using analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The Crime Laboratory is ANAB accredited.

Key duties include collecting and preserving evidence, writing detailed scientific reports, providing expert testimony in court, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological science, chemical engineering, or forensic science from an accredited university.
• State Licensure from TXFSC required within six months after hire date.
• Three (3) years of relevant independent discipline-specific casework experience for Forensic Scientist II.
• Five (5) years of more complex independent forensic casework for Forensic Scientist III.
• Seven (7) years of highly complex independent discipline-specific casework for Forensic Scientist IV.

Responsibilities

• Collects, preserves and maintains integrity of evidence in the laboratory; examines evidence; accurate documents description and condition of items; maintains chain of custody for evidence.
• Performs a series of complex analytical examinations utilizing chemistry.
• Performs chemical and physical analyses and/or microscopic examinations in the identification and comparison of evidence.
• Maintains, reviews and implements extensive quality assurance measures and ensures quality of laboratory data.
• Prepare detailed reports on laboratory test results and examinations performed; forms conclusions based on test results.
• Consults with detectives, outside agencies and prosecutors to provide scientific information relevant to the investigation and analysis of evidence.
• Testifies in court as an expert witness; explains laboratory procedures; presents and defends laboratory findings; refutes or corroborates other expert testimony.

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological science, chemical engineering, or forensic science from an accredited university

State Licensure from TXFSC required within six months after hire date

Tools

GC-MS

FT-IR

LC-MS

Headspace GC

Job description

Pay Range: $28.84 - $44.79/hr.

Job Posting Closing on: Friday, October 30, 2026

Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities. Find Out More!

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

A Forensic Scientist II, III, IV, job is available with the City of Fort Worth Police Department Chemistry Unit.

Chemist position is available in the drug analysis section of the City of Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory, performing qualitative analyses of controlled substances, pharmaceutical preparations, and plant materials utilizing analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. This individual will also perform toxicological analysis for the determination of blood alcohol concentration (non-interpretive) using headspace analysis, provide scientific consultation, interpret test results and form conclusions, write scientific reports and provide expert witness testimony in court. The Crime Laboratory is ANAB accredited.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemical, physical, biological science, chemical engineering, or forensic science from an accredited university
• State Licensure from TXFSC required within six months after hire date

Additional Qualifications for Forensic Scientist II- Chemist:

• Three (3) years of relevant independent discipline-specific casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist I is required.

Additional Qualifications for Forensic Scientist III - Chemist:

• Five (5) years of more complex independent forensic casework experience as a qualified Forensic Scientist

Additional Qualifications for Forensic Scientist IV - Chemist:

• Seven (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 in performing blood alcohol level determinations utilizing headspace GC and GC/MS technology
• Experience as an expert witness in court and have experience preparing scientific reports for law enforcement agencies
• Familiarity of ANAB accreditation or previous ASCLD / LAB requirements and good knowledge of quality assurance and quality control principles and procedures

The Forensic Scientist II - Chemist job responsibilities include:

• Collects, preserves and maintains integrity of evidence in the laboratory; examines evidence; accurate documents description and condition of items; maintains chain of custody for evidence
• Performs a series of complex analytical examinations utilizing chemistry
• Performs chemical and physical analyses and/or microscopic examinations in the identification and comparison of evidence
• Maintains, reviews and implements extensive quality assurance measures and ensures quality of laboratory data
• Prepare detailed reports on laboratory test results and examinations performed; forms conclusions based on test results
• Consults with detectives, outside agencies and prosecutors to provide scientific information relevant to the investigation and analysis of evidence
• Testifies in court as an expert witness; explains laboratory procedures; presents and defends laboratory findings; refutes or corroborates other expert testimony
• Performs other duties as assigned

The Forensic Scientist III - Chemist job responsibilities include:

• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities and unit-specific requirements of a Forensic Scientist II
• Participates in Continuous Improvement Program by collecting customer feedback, maintain professional relationships to identify and understand the needs of the customer
• May facilitate evidence discoveries with court personnel and members of the Fort Worth Police Department
• Trains new analyst assigned to the unit
• Teaches specific unit discipline to law enforcement training academy recruits
• Trouble-shooting instrumentation and methods within assigned unit
• May be assigned specialized project to benefit the laboratory unit or Forensic Division
• Performs other duties as assigned

The Forensic Scientist IV - Chemist job responsibilities include:

• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities and unit-specific requirements of a Forensic Scientist III
• Validates new methods for new technologically advanced instrumentation or platforms
• Assists unit supervisor in writing procedures and policies for the unit
• Makes recommendations for continuous improvement to management
• Develops, modifies, and maintains manuals for training program, section-specific documents, controlled forms with supervis