Forensic Specialist I

Salary : $44,858.33 Annually
Location : Leon County Sheriff's Office Major James Morgan Jr. Way, Tallahassee, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FS1-01
Department: Law Enforcement
Division: Criminal Investigations
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/9/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

General Description of Duties
This position performs office and fieldwork related to the crime scene investigation. The majority of duties involve collecting, examining, preserving, documenting, preparing, and review of physical evidence and providing courtroom testimony as required. Work is performed under limited supervision with moderate latitude. Position relies on experience and exercises independent judgment to determine the best approach by using and interpreting policies and procedures. This position adheres to the agency core values of honesty and integrity, accountability, teamwork, trust and respect and commitment to excellence. To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate competency in data entry and retrieval skills, time management skills, intermediate to advanced computer skills, general communication skills (both written and oral), inter-personal skills, customer service skills and problem solving skills.
Essential Duties

1. Preserve the integrity of crime scenes, collects and preserves items of evidence, performs the initial evaluation of such evidence, and takes notes of crime scene observation.
2. Collect evidence for storage and forensic laboratory examination, including proper evaluation, labeling, sealing, packaging, and storing in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
3. Create sketches, measurements, and photographic and videotape documentation of crimes scenes and evidence and properly secures and transports evidence as needed.
4. Examine and process evidence utilizing established guidelines for the presence of trace evidence, latent prints, footwear, blood stains, etc. and documents said processes to ensure legality of actions for future depositions, freedom of information requests, and court testimony.
5. Provide investigative assistance to law enforcement officers, agencies, and victims following established procedures and guidelines; participates in public education events.
6. Prepare reports, records, logs, and related documents following established guidelines.
7. Maintain work environment, equipment, and vehicles utilized in the day-to-day activities of unit operations.
8. Attend autopsies to document and collect pertinent information.
9. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
10. Use a computer and related software applications.
11. Provide customer service.
12. Monitor and maintain evidence and inventory.
13. Prepare and maintain reports, logs, records, and files.
14. Use applicable tools and equipment in the industry.
15. Maintain legal chain of custody.
16. Safeguard evidence.
17. Knowledge of Inventory principles, practices, and procedures.
18. Knowledge of applicable equipment and tools utilized in the industry.
19. Knowledge of customer service principles.
20. Knowledge criminal justice system.
21. Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
22. Knowledge of basic criminal forensics.
23. Knowledge of property accounting procedures.
24. Ability to work closely with others as a team.
25. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
26. Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, concise, and objective written and oral reports.
27. Ability to meet requirements and maintain required licensures and certifications as well as agency required in-service training.
28. Ability to adhere to the standards and principles of the agency's core values and professionally represent the agency.
29. Ability to report to work timely, consistently and as scheduled.
30. Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the work place.

Eligibility Criteria

• High school diploma or GED required and 5 years of related experience with a recognized law enforcement agency or accredited forensic laboratory or sworn law enforcement OR;
• AS degree and 3 years of related experience with a recognized law enforcement agency accredited forensic laboratory or sworn law enforcement OR;
• BS in criminology, forensics or related sciences OR;
• BS in unrelated field plus 1 year of related experience with a recognized law enforcement agency or accredited forensic laboratory or sworn law enforcement OR;
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
• Valid Florida driver's license required.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must be able to lift, push, carry or pull a minimum of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of move objects 100 pounds of force occasionally.
• Position requires task be regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances, inadequate lighting, and work space restrictions.
• Must be available for call outs or on-call rotation.

Full-time benefits include:

• Health insurance with an employer contribution between 77.5% - 87.5%.
• Life insurance equal to 1 X annual salary paid 100% by LCSO.
• Retirement via the Florida Retirement System with a choice of pension or investment plan.
• Paid vacation, sick and personal leaves.
• Tuition Assistance Program for advanced degrees.
• Education incentive for advanced degrees (only sworn positions).
• Other ancillary benefits including but not limited to deferred compensation, dental/vision insurance, cafeteria savings plan, short/long term disability and identity theft protection.

01

Which best describes your level of education?

• Some High School
• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in criminology, forensics, or related sciences?

• Yes, Bachelor's Degree or higher is in criminology, forensics, or related sciences.
• No, Bachelor's Degree or higher is in another field.
• Do not have a Bachelor's Degree.

03

Please indicate your level of work experience with a recognized law enforcement agency, an accredited forensic laboratory, or sworn law enforcement.

• No experience.
• 1-2 years.
• 3-4 years.
• 5 or more years.

04

Salary anticipated to be at base pay. If not acceptable to you, what minimum annual salary would be acceptable?
05

Do you possess a valid Florida driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you received more than two (2) moving violations in the last 12 months?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been designated as a Habitual Violator on your driver's license record?

• Yes
• No

08

Have you refused a test to determine Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) from any law enforcement agency within the last three (3) years?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you ever been convicted of a felony traffic offense including adjudication withheld?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever received a dishonorable discharge from the military?

• Yes
• No
• Never served in military.
• Currently serving in military/No discharge.

11

Have you ever been convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony?

• Yes
• No

12

Are you currently under criminal investigation or indictment?

• Yes
• No

13

Do you have any current criminal charges pending in the courts (without an official legal disposition)?

• Yes
• No

14

Are you currently under internal investigation, under investigation by the CJSTC or administrative investigation?

• Yes
• No

15

Have you ever separated, abandoned, resigned or retired from a business or agency while under criminal or internal investigation or while under the threat of criminal or internal investigation?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity in the community or detentions facility by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse?

• Yes
• No

17

Have you ever been convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime involving perjury or false statement, abuse of a child, elderly, or disabled person, domestic violence, or any crime of a sexual nature?

• Yes
• No

18

Have you ever been engaged in, convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime of sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution?

• Yes
• No

19

Have you ever held membership in, association with, or any other connection to any organization that exposes or supports discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation or marital status or is known to have been involved in criminal activity and/or a violation of any state laws and/or laws of the United States?

• Yes
• No

20

When would you estimate was your last use of marijuana.

• 0 - 12 months (within the last year)
• 13 - 36 months (3 years or less)
• 37 - 60 months (more than 3 years ago to 5 years)
• 61 - 120 months (more than 5 years to 10 years ago)
• 10+ (more than 10 years ago)
• Never used

21

When was the last time you used any of the following - heroin, cocaine, meth, mushrooms, LSD, illegal steroids or other drugs not prescribed to you?

• 0 - 12 months (last year)
• 13 - 36 months (3 years or less)
• 37 - 60 months (more than 3 years to five years ago)
• 61 - 120 months (more than 5 years to 10 years ago)
• 10+ years ago
• Never used

Required Question