Senior Forensic Scientist

Description

JOB/BID ANNOUNCEMENT

Number of Positions: 1 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $81,636

Applications for this position will be accepted from 12:00am CDT 07/31/2026 until 11:59pm CDT on 08/13/2026

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

Under supervision, the class works in a specialized unit within the Chicago Police Department's Forensic Laboratory (e.g., latent print development/examination, evidence examination, firearms and ballistics, or other related forensic disciplines). The class performs senior-level functions, working independently, on a wide range of complex scientific examinations of the nature, origin, and significance of physical evidence in crime investigations; and performs related duties as required

• Performs independent scientific examinations in a specialized area of Forensics
• Performs preliminary reviews of case evaluations completed by Forensic Scientists
• Provides technical assistance to Forensic Scientists and other departmental members
• Receives, collects, and preserves physical evidence submitted to the Forensic laboratory associated with criminal investigations
• Applies scientific principles to identify and classify items received in the laboratory (e.g., hair, skin, tissues, blood, bones, bullets, shells, weapons, etc.)
• Conducts chemical analyses of evidentiary materials (e.g., blood, fibers, tool marks, body fluids)
• Conducts tests on physical items using various methods and scientific tools (e.g., visual examinations, instrumental analysis, presumptive evaluations, enhancement techniques, extractions, quantifications, microscopic techniques, comparative examinations)
• Analyzes chemical and physical substances, materials, liquids, or other physical evidence and prepares chemical reagents within assigned forensic discipline
• Uses photographic equipment to enhance evidence through digital imaging and post processing
• Identifies and reaches scientific conclusions supported by data and observations
• Communicates findings and conclusions with departmental members
• Prepares technical reports or presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions and prepares results for court of other formal hearings
• Performs audits of chemicals, equipment and laboratory supplies
• Maintains compliance with accreditation standards, laboratory and departmental procedures and methods
• Attends seminars and reviews published materials to remain abreast of new technology and new applications in the area of forensic analysis
• Maintains the laboratory in a clean and orderly manner
• Performs basic maintenance, calibration and quality control on scientific instruments
• Conducts regular performance monitoring, including proficiency and competency testing, as required
• Testifies as an expert witness on evidence and crime laboratory techniques at the local, state and federal levels
• Trains new Forensic Scientists in a primary forensic sub-discipline
• Confers with senior level scientists on case investigations
• Assists in training Forensic Scientists in the methods of analysis, collection methods and preservation techniques

NOTE:

The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Location:

3340 W Filmore, Chicago, Il 60624

Days:
Monday through Friday

Hours:

6:00AM to 2:00PM OR 2:00PM-10:00PM

THIS POSITION IS NOT IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field of science, plus two (2) years of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science, OR

Should the above criteria not be fulfilled, the following options are acceptable:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field, plus one (1) year of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science

Professional certifications in any of the following discipline:

• International Association for Identification (IAI) Certification for latent prints
• Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) Certification for firearms, toolmarks, and distance determination
• American Board of Criminalistics Certification:
  Biological Evidence Screening, Comprehensive Criminalistics, Drug Analysis, Forensic DNA or Foundational Knowledge

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed…