Forensic Scientist II, III, IV

Pay Range: $26.57 - $33.21/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 for Forensic Scientist II– Chemist: 

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

Minimum Qualifications for Forensic Scientist III – Chemist:

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

Minimum 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 supervisor approval
• May serve as software application administrator for laboratory information management system
• Coordinates preventative maintenance with vendors for scientific instrumentation
• Assumes unit lead responsibilities in the absence of the Forensic Supervisor when assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Working Conditions and Physical Demand 

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking and repetitive motions. Works with hazardous materials and chemicals. May be exposed to hazardous and/or dangerous work environments.

Light Work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds Page 4 of 4 of force constantly having to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for the Sedentary Work category and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated Light Work 

Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Background Check

Final candidates selected for hire in the Police Department will be subject to a fingerprint/criminal history background check and polygraph examination.  Applicants must not have used marijuana during the previous two (2) years, nor illegally used any controlled substances within the last five (5) years. 

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.  Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position:  Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions in the last 10 years, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication in the last 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and ALL Family Violence Convictions regardless of class.

Apply Now! Come be part of something special in Fort Worth. 🌟

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.