Forensic Scientist ; Philadelphia

This is training level forensic science work learning the methods and techniques involved in the preservation, examination, handling, and comparative analysis of items of evidence collected in criminal investigations. Positions in this class are allocated to one of five areas of assignment:
Biology, Chemistry, Crime Scene, Digital Evidence, Genealogy, or Pattern Evidence. Positions allocated to the Pattern Evidence specialty may be assigned to one of the following disciplines:
Documents, Firearms/Toolmarks, or Latent Prints. Positions in all specialties participate in an extensive training and evaluation program to be qualified as a forensic expert.

Work in each assignment includes examining evidence associated with crimes for presentation of laboratory findings in written reports and through expert testimony in criminal trials. Assignments increase in scope and complexity as experience is gained and the qualification level is neared. Employees in this class assist other technical personnel conducting laboratory and field tests. All work is performed in accordance with national and international quality assurance standards in the accredited Office of Forensic Science of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Work is performed under the supervision of a higher-level forensic scientist or technical superior.

Rashida Ximines

Office of Human Resources

City of Philadelphia

Public Safety Team

1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102

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Ximines

For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at  or email hrhelpdesk.

Both Open-Competitive and promotional examinations have been announced concurrently.

Departmental and interdepartmental promotional eligible lists of permanent City employees and an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. The appointing authority may make an appointment from either one of the promotional lists until these lists are exhausted and, thereafter, may appoint from the Open-Competitive list.

If you do NOT have permanent civil service status with the City of Philadelphia, or are otherwise ineligible to compete in promotional examinations, you should not apply to this announcement.

You should apply for the open competitive examination for this class announced concurrently on the same date. The link for the open competitive announcement is Forensic Scientist 1 (3H-OC-00).

Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after appointment.

Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other persons receiving an identical test score. For Training and Experience evaluations, in which applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination, the residency preference eligibility date is the planned eligible list date listed on this announcement.

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence later in this form.

The response on this application will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

Approved applicants will receive a score of 70 and any additional preference points, and be ranked on the eligible list. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

An Eligible List will be established the week of November 16, 2026. Please note that this date may change.

Rule of List

There is no test review for a Modified Training and…