Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Digital Forensic Analyst

State of Mississippi; Florence (MS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Digital Forensic Analyst position is with the State of Mississippi, located in Rankin County. The role focuses on performing specialized digital forensic examinations to support investigations related to methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and other controlled substances.

Work supports the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and law enforcement partners. Responsibilities include analyzing digital devices, preserving evidence, and generating investigative

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and data entry accuracy are essential.
• Information management and productivity are required.
• Ethics and integrity are critical for handling sensitive digital evidence.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive digital forensic examinations of electronic devices and digital media.
• Identifies, preserves, acquires, extracts, examines, and analyzes digital evidence following procedures.
• Examines cellular phones, computers, tablets, hard drives, removable media, GPS devices, cloud data and other devices.
• Recovers deleted or hidden data when technically feasible.
• Documents findings with detailed notes and prepares comprehensive forensic reports.
• Maintains chain-of-custody and creates exhibits for investigations.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Data Entry

Productivity

Information Management

Ethics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Forensic software

Job description

Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Digital Forensic Analyst in 61 - RANKIN COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$40,286.40 - $70,800.83 Annually

Location

61 - RANKIN COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9657-0728-20260904RNK

0728 - Mississippi Bureau of Investigation

Opening Date

09/04/2026

9/9/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$40,286.40

$70,800.83

What you'll need to be Successful

Information Management; Attention to Detail; Data Entry; Productivity; Ethics.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s goal is to make Mississippi a safer place for the state’s three million residents. Our employees perform a variety of tasks, including issuing driver’s licenses and firearm permits, patrolling our roads and highways, keeping drugs off the streets, providing training and certification to law enforcement agencies, conducting forensic analysis and investigations, and much more. For questions regarding this position, please contact [e-mail].

About the Position

This Non-State, Time-Limited (14) job opportunity is in the MS Office of Homeland Security, PEARL, MS, located in RANKIN COUNTY, and will serve as the Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Digital Forensic Analyst. The Meth/Heroin Digital Forensic Analyst performs specialized digital forensic examinations and investigative support related to the production, distribution, trafficking, and possession of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and other controlled substances. The incumbent analyzes digital evidence obtained during criminal investigations to identify, preserve, recover, examine, and document information that may establish connections among suspects, drug suppliers, distributors, trafficking organizations, financial transactions, locations, and criminal activities. Working in support of the Homeland Security Department and state and local law enforcement partners, the incumbent conducts forensic examinations of computers, cellular telephones, tablets, removable media, cloud-based data, GPS devices, digital storage devices, and other electronic evidence. The position applies specialized forensic methodologies and technology to recover and analyze deleted, hidden, encrypted, or otherwise difficult-to-access digital information while maintaining strict evidentiary and chain-of-custody requirements. The incumbent provides investigative intelligence and technical expertise to assist with complex narcotics investigations and may be assigned to multi-agency investigations involving methamphetamine and heroin trafficking organizations operating within Mississippi and across state or national boundaries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive digital forensic examinations of electronic devices and digital media associated with methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and other narcotics investigations.
• Identifies, preserves, acquires, extracts, examines, and analyzes digital evidence in accordance with established forensic procedures and applicable legal requirements.
• Examines cellular telephones, computers, tablets, hard drives, removable media, GPS devices, cloud-based accounts, digital communications, and other electronic devices.
• Recovers and analyzes deleted, hidden, fragmented, or otherwise inaccessible digital data when technically feasible.
• Examines text messages, emails, photographs, videos, internet activity, social media information, application data, contact information, location data, call records, and other digital artifacts for investigative relevance.
• Analyzes digital evidence to identify relationships and communications among individuals involved in narcotics trafficking and distribution.
• Identifies evidence that may establish the source, transportation, distribution, sale, purchase, or possession of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and other controlled substances.
• Analyzes digital communications and transactional information to identify suspected drug suppliers, distributors, customers, facilitators, and associated criminal organizations.
• Examines financial and transactional information contained within digital devices when relevant to narcotics investigations, including electronic payment records, transaction applications, digital wallets, and other available financial indicators.
• Conducts timeline analysis to establish the sequence of communications, transactions, travel, meetings, purchases, deliveries, and other investigative events.
• Performs geolocation and location-data analysis when appropriate to identify locations associated with narcotics activity.
• Correlates digital evidence with information obtained from interviews, surveillance, physical evidence, financial records, controlled purchases, search warrants, and other investigative sources.
• Utilizes specialized digital forensic software, hardware, databases, and analytical tools to conduct examinations and generate investigative leads.
• Maintains detailed forensic examination notes documenting all procedures, tools, findings, observations, and conclusions.
• Creates forensic images and working copies of digital evidence while preserving the integrity of original evidence.
• Maintains strict chain-of-custody documentation for all evidence received, examined, stored, and returned.
• Prepares comprehensive forensic reports describing examination procedures, evidence reviewed, significant findings, and conclusions.
• Develops exhibits, charts, timelines, summaries, photographs, screenshots, and other demonstrative materials to assist investigators, prosecutors, and courts in understanding digital evidence.

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years of experience. — Hiring Agency Prefers: Experience in digital forensic examination, computer forensics, mobile device forensics, cybersecurity investigations, criminal investigations, intelligence analysis, or a closely related field is highly preferred.

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201