Job Description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 15857
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Drug Chemistry
Opening Date: 11/20/2025
Closing Date: 2/22/2026 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.

Brief Drug Chemistry Forensic Chemist 1 Overview:

The Drug Chemistry Forensic Chemist 1 is an entry-level position that receives, inventories, processes, and analyzes forensic drug evidence to identify controlled and non-controlled substances, while maintaining accreditation standards, and is expected to provide expert testimony in court.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Evidence Analysis and Testimony:
  
  • Receives, inventories, and processes forensic evidence to identify controlled and non-controlled substances
  • Prepares written reports that support the analytical findings
  • Testifies in court explaining analytical procedures performed
• Instrument Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Operation:
  
  • Performs and documents routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repair of associated instrumentation
  • Operates GC-FID, GC-MS, UV-Vis, FTIR, DART-TOF, and GC-IRD instrumentation
• Laboratory Support:
  
  • Prepares laboratory reagents and controls and maintains supplies in accordance with laboratory procedures
    
    • Performs routine laboratory upkeep duties such as cleaning glassware, discarding biohazard trash, organizing laboratory work and storage areas, and maintaining laboratory cleanliness
  • Develops and validates new test methods and instrumentation
  • Performs root cause analysis and documentation of corrective and preventative actions
  • Provides training to staff according to established protocols

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [click to reveal phone number](713) 274-5445 or email [click to reveal email address] ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net .
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
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or a related natural science
• Must meet the Specific Coursework Requirements for Seized Drugs Analyst outlined in the

Certifications / Licenses Requirements:

• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification in Drug Analysis required within 1 year of eligibility to sit for the exam
• Licensure by the Texas Forensic Science Commission required within 1 year of employment
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and maintain ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Experience:

• One (1) year experience in a forensic laboratory or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Familiarity with accreditation standards and requirements for forensic laboratories
• Strong written and oral communication skills with effective organization and time management skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly during employment)
• As a public servant, this employee is expected to adequately prepare for court testimony in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Subpoenas and court orders related to cases worked by the employee shall be followed, even post-employment. The duty to adequately communicate with attorneys and prepare for testimony, which includes a review of the applicable case records, is still expected post-employment

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's Degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry or a related natural science

Experience:

• Membership in a professional forensic organization such as American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) or Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS)

General Information
Work Location:

Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences

1861 Old Spanish Trail

Houston, TX 77054
Work Schedule:

• Full time | 40 hours per week | Monday - Friday
• This is an In-Office position
• Weekends and evening shifts may be necessary
• Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if needed

Work Environment:

• Office / laboratory setting

Potential Exposures:

• Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals
• May come in contact with blood and/or blood borne pathogens

Physical Demands:

• Requires physical strength to lift up to 50 pounds in the routine performance of duties

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.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness 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
• Doctoral Degree
• 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
• Unrelated field
• N/A; No degree

03

Does your referenced degree meet the specific coursework requirements of a Seized Drug Analyst as outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 15, Chapter 651, Subchapter C, Rule 651.207?

• Yes
• No
• NA; No degree

04

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
05

Does your professional experience include at least one year of work performed in a forensic laboratory or other similar environment?Qualifying information must be documented in the Work Experience section of your application.

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered Yes in response to the previous question, please provide details of your experience in a forensic laboratory or other similar environment. If you answered No, type "N/A" in the space provided.Please provide a detailed response as attachments will not be reviewed during the initial screening process.
07

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

08

In which of the following professional forensic organizations do you have active membership?Select all that apply.

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
• Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (SWAFS)
• National Association of Forensic Science Boards (NAFSB)
• Other forensic organization
• N/A; None

09

Do you have current Drug Analysis certification through the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)?

• Yes, I currently have this certification
• No, but eligible to obtain this certification within one year
• No, not eligible to obtain this certification

10

Are you currently licensed under the Texas Forensic Science Commission?

• Yes, I currently have this licensure
• No, but eligible to obtain this licensure within one year
• No, not eligible to obtain this licensure

11

This position requires possession of a valid Texas Driver's License and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle upon the start date. Do you currently have a valid Texas Driver's License?

• Yes
• No, but eligible to obtain by start date
• No, not eligible to obtain licensure

Required Question

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,

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