Requisition No: 806423
Agency: Department of Law Enforcement
Working Title: FORENSIC LABORATORY POOL – 71002504
Position Number: 71002504
Salary: $32,760.00 – $50.948.00
Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2023
FORENSIC LABORATORY POOL
FORENSIC TECHNOLOGISTS & CRIME LABORATORY ANALYSTS
**Open-Competitive Opportunity**
POSITION SUMMARY:
We (The Florida Department of Law Enforcement; FDLE) are currently accepting applications for passionate and motivated applicants who thrive in a challenge. Our casework strategy requires a team dynamic to successfully serve the State of Florida law enforcement agencies and our communities. We value problem-solvers who strive for self and organizational improvement. When a position becomes available, an email will be sent to the address provided in your application to inquire about your interest in the position. Please consider each position notification you receive as some vacancies may not be open to external candidates.
HOW YOU WILL GROW:
At FDLE, our members are our top priority. We recognize and support growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a rewarding, lifelong career at FDLE.
OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:
Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE’s pay policy. These positions are classified as Special Risk retirement, which provides members a greater retirement credit accrual rate and requires fewer years of service to reach full retirement benefits than is required for non-Special Risk members. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
- Flexible work schedule;
- HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
- $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
- Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
- Pension and investment retirement plan options;
- Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts; and
- State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program.
BASE SALARY:
Forensic Technologist – $32,760
Crime Laboratory Analyst – $50,948*
*Experienced analysts may receive a starting salary between $53,948 – $58,948 with three or more years of testifying experience in the specific discipline in which they are hired.
DISCIPLINES & LOCATIONS
Biology: Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa
Crime Scene Investigation: Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tallahassee
Digital Evidence: Tallahassee, Tampa
Document Examination: Pensacola
Evidence Intake: Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa
Firearms: Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa
Footwear & Tire: Tampa
Friction Ridge (Latents): Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa
Seized Drugs: Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa
Trace Materials: Orlando
Toxicology: Orlando, Tallahassee
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties and responsibilities vary depending on the discipline and position held, but may include:
- Performing essential tasks to intake, examine and/or analyze physical evidence associated with criminal investigations;
- Assisting with evaluating analytical methods and procedures;
- Preparing reagents, maintaining section equipment and logbooks, and performing various quality control checks; and
- Maintaining the laboratory including cleaning laboratory work areas and equipment.
To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
This pool includes Forensic Technologists (FT) and Crime Laboratory Analysts (CLA). Minimum qualifications vary for each discipline and position. Those listed here are the minimum to qualify for a general Forensic Technologist. Based on your education and experience, you will be placed in the appropriate FT and CLA pools.
- A bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited college or university; or
- A minimum of two years professional or technical work experience in an accredited forensic laboratory or an accredited law enforcement agency; or
- Forensic discipline certification.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of terminology and techniques used in the forensic laboratory;
- Knowledge of the procedure for packaging, handling and preserving evidence;
- Skill in the preparation of reagents and the use of scientific laboratory equipment;
- Ability to analyze results, formulate conclusions and present findings verbally and in writing;
- Ability to give sworn testimony in court.; and
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
ABOUT OUR AGENCY:
FDLE employs more than 1,900 members statewide – either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Services are delivered by five key areas: Executive Direction and Business Support; Investigations and Forensic Science; Florida Capitol Police; Criminal Justice Information Services; and Criminal Justice Professionalism. Click Here for additional information about FDLE.
HIRING PROCESS:
You will be evaluated for this job based on your education, knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. Your qualifications will be determined using the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other elements relevant to the position supported by the information provided in your application. The selection process may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, and interviews. You could be contacted via email to determine your interest in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe will exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.
BACKGROUND:
FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant’s immediate family or roommates, drug screen, fingerprinting, personal references, employment verification, and education verification (including official transcript(s)). This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.
NOTES:
Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed at least six months of the probationary period for their current position.
Please read carefully to ensure your application is processed timely. Your application will be processed after all materials are received.
- Applicants must send copies of unofficial or official transcripts to Jobs@fdle.state.fl.us, or mail transcripts to Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Attention: Office of Human Resources – Lab Applicant, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee FL 32302-1489.
- Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
- Transcripts must state that your degree has been awarded;
- Please notify us if your last name has changed from what is on the transcript.
REMINDERS:
- Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
- If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.