City of Fort Worth

  • Forensic Scientist II, III, IV

  • City of Fort Worth, TX
  • Fort Worth, Texas United States View Map

Job Description

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.

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City of Fort Worth

City of Fort Worth

(817) 392-7750

The Community

The City of Cowboys & Culture is known for its Texas hospitality. The stunning and sprawling City of
Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. And it’s no wonder — With great neighborhoods, scenic terrain and a rich history of arts and culture, paired with world-class opportunities for business and education, it’s not only fun to visit Fort Worth, it’s even more rewarding to call it home.

Fort Worth truly offers all the benefits and amenities of a bustling metropolitan city, while keeping the small- town charm that keeps it unpretentious and charismatic in all the right ways. Designated as one of America’s “Most Livable Communities” by the Partners for Livable Communities, the city truly offers a melting pot of culture, commerce, community and yes, cowboys.

There are over a dozen remarkable districts full of treasured history among modern luxuries and unique places to have fun, making it the No. 1 tourist destination in Texas and welcoming more than 9.4 million visitors annually.

Being one of the fastest-growing among large cities in the country, Fort Worth has received multiple accolades, including number one downtown (Livability), and the second-best City in the nation for job seekers (Forbes). Our employees serve the needs of over 900,000 residents representing culturally diverse communities.

Exciting Growth & Future Development

One of the most fascinating aspects of the City of Fort Worth is its almost unprecedented growth over the past several years. Both in terms of population and industry, and as the 12th largest city in the United States, Fort Worth is truly booming — which presents both challenges and opportunities to truly develop this city in the right way. Every 30 minutes a new person moves to Fort Worth, so we’re looking for candidates who can embrace an evergrowing and changing environment and improve on it with solutions that work for the entire community of Fort Worth.

Mission

We are working together to build a strong community that others can look to as a pillar of unity and excellence. Through grassroots efforts within the community, and large scale construction and transportation plans that continue to add the infra- structure a growing city like Fort Worth needs, we’ll provide the public services our community requires to continually cultivate the unique city we call home.

Vision

Fort Worth’s vision is to be the most livable and best managed city in the country. We’ll do this by taking care of our citizens, implementing the highest quality standards in our schools, continually improving the neighborhoods we thrive in and the facets of the city that make our town so unique.

Benefits That Are Well Worth It

The City of Fort Worth continues to be dedicated to its employees’ well-being by providing competitive health benefits, a well-rounded wellness program and a Zero Accident Philosophy® workplace. All regular full-time employees and those employees who work 30–39 hours per week are eligible for all City of Fort Worth Benefits. Part-time employees who work 20–29 hours per week are eligible for dental, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 457 Deferred Compensation plan and other voluntary benefits.

Medical Program

The City offers two plan options through Meritain Health, an Aetna company.

The Health Center Plan – Offers employees and their family’s

primary health care services that are 100% completely free and unlimited. Employees can visit any one of the three City of Fort Worth Employee Health Centers and receive guaranteed same or next day appointments for sick visits. Also, services are available at any one of the five satellite locations that serves employees across the city.

The Consumer Choice Plan – Is offered to employees at no cost or low monthly premiums to cover eligible dependents and provides the financial benefits of a Health Savings Account (HSA).

• Preventative services are covered at 100% on both plans.
• Prescription Drug coverage including mail order pharmacy are also included.

Vacation

Eligible for 3 weeks of vacation: After successful completion of probationary period (usually
6 months), employees may take time off for rest, relaxation, vacation, illness, religious observances, and personal business.

Holidays

Available on the first day of employment, the city provides employees with paid holidays, including two personal holidays.

Wellness Program

The city’s Healthy Challenge Wellness Program rewards all full-time, benefit-eligible employees on the city’s health insurance. The Healthy Challenge Program utilizes a points system. Participants may earn points throughout the year (Jan. 1-Dec. 15) for completing specific program activities and participants can redeem points at the end of the year for a cash reward. By participating, individuals can earn $150, $200 or $250 by accumulating program points.

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