Job Description

Salary: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 14889
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Drug Chemistry
Opening Date: 04/22/2025
Closing Date: 7/22/2025 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs chemical analysis of tablets, powders, liquids and plant material, to identify controlled and non-controlled substances as well as dangerous drugs
• Prepares written reports that support the analytical findings and provide testimony as an expert witness in legal proceedings.
• Participates in training, competency testing and proficiency testing according to established protocols.
• Operates and maintains laboratory instruments
• Assists in ensuring the laboratory remains in compliance with the accreditation guidelines
• Maintains Texas Forensic Science Commission (TFSC) License
• Maintains American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification
• Meets accreditation criteria by attending continuing education\training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences and professional meetings
• Follows rigorously all Safety, Method Manual, and Quality Assurance / Quality Control protocols.
• Other duties as assigned by the Drug Chemistry Director or Senior Director of Crime Laboratory Services

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email [email protected] .
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED; OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY JOB OFFER.
Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or a related natural science and meet the Seized Drug Analyst coursework requirements outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 15, Chapter 651, Subchapter C, Rule §651.207. ($ext.TacPagesl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=37&pt=15&ch=651&rl=207).
• A minimum of sixteen-semester credit hours (or equivalent) in college-level chemistry coursework from an accredited university.
• A three-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college-level statistics course from an accredited university.

Licensure/ Certifications:

• Certification in Drug Analysis from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) is required within three years of hire and must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• Licensure by the Texas Forensic Science Commission; licensure must be maintained for the duration of employment. The licensure exam will be conducted during the training period.
• Valid Driver's License - A Texas Driver's License must be obtained by start date

NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Education:

• Master of Science degree in a science related field, preferably Chemistry
• Membership in a professional forensic organization such as AAFS or SWAFS is preferred.

Experience:

• Fluency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and a LIMS database is strongly preferred.
• Experience with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is strongly preferred.
• Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography and Infrared Spectroscopy experience is desired.

General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full time | Exempt | 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday
• May include weekends and night or evening shift work

Work Environment:

• Office / laboratory setting

Physical Demands:

• Able to move and lift objects not heavier than 40 pounds

Work Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Reporting Relationship:

• Director, Drug Chemistry Routine Contacts: District attorneys, law enforcement officers, and defense attorneys regarding evidence and test results or when subpoenaed to testify; educators and peers during professional training or participation in accreditation or certification visits.

Additional Training Information:

• The incumbent will go through an initial training program according to established training procedures, which lasts at least 3 months.
• The incumbent is also required to participate in continuing education programs by attending in-house seminars or lectures, professional organization meeting, and/or technical training courses.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
  • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Forensic Science
• Chemistry
• Other Related Natural Science Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Have you completed at least sixteen-semester credit hours (or equivalent) in college-level chemistry coursework above general coursework from an accredited university?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you completed a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college-level statistics course?

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
06

Please describe your laboratory experience using mass spectrometry including the type of work or research performed, instruments, etc. If you do not have this experience, type "none" in the space provided. NOTE: You can refer to your employment history if you have already addressed this experience there, but DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications.
07

Do you have experience using any Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) databases?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes, please describe which LIMS databases you have previously used. If you do not have this experience, type "none" in the space provided.
09

Do you have experience with any of the following? (select all that apply)

• Gas Chromatography
• Liquid Chromatography
• Infrared Spectroscopy
• Mass Spectrometry
• N/A; None of the above

10

Do you have a Certification in Drug Analysis from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you have a membership in a professional forensic organization?

• Yes
• No

12

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

13

An unofficial copy of your college transcript is required along with your application. (Please scan your transcripts and attach to this application before submitting).

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my complete transcripts.
• No, I have not attached the required transcript. I understand that this may result in disqualification from the employment process.
• N/A (not applicable)

14

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I'm not interested

15

Please provide number, class, state and expiration date below:(Type N/A if not applicable)
Required Question

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Part time, Flexible hours, Shift work, Night shift, Afternoon shift, Monday to Friday,

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