Police Forensic Scientist I/II/III - DNA

Salary: $70,096.00 - $94,723.20 Annually
Location : Crime Laboratory - 7601 E. McKellips Rd. Bldg. B Scottsdale, AZ 85257, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number:
Division: Investigations Bureau
Department: Crime Laboratory
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

Introduction
The City of Scottsdale Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for a Forensic Scientist position specializing in DNA analysis. This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies at various Forensic Scientist levels.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Minimum Qualifications section, as requirements vary by level. Placement at a specific Forensic Scientist level will be determined based on the education, experience, and qualifications demonstrated in the application materials.

About the Position
The Police Forensic Scientist I learns through extensive training to perform professional level work involved in the examination, identification, and evaluation of physical evidence submitted to the Police Department Crime Laboratory for forensic analysis. Work is initially performed under close technical guidance and review. As training and competency are demonstrated, assignments are performed with increasing independence and responsibility. A Forensic Scientist I is expected to successfully complete required training, competency testing, and other requirements necessary to perform independent casework within the assigned discipline.
Anticipated starting salary for this position may be up to mid-point depending
on candidate's experience and internal equity.
The hiring ranges for the specific levels are as follows:
Forensic Scientist I: $70,096.00 - $82,388.80 annually
Forensic Scientist II: $77,313.60 - $90,833.60 annually
Forensic Scientist III: $88,670.40 - $104,748.80 annually
Please note: Be sure to check your email junk/spam folders regularly for possible notifications and/or self-schedule interview invitations from Governmentjobs.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Forensic Scientist I:

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, biology, related physical science or natural science, or forensic science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related subjects from an accredited educational institution.

Forensic Scientist II:

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, biology, related physical science or natural science, or forensic science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related subjects from an accredited educational institution.
• Four years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
• Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.

Forensic Scientist III:

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, biology, related physical science or natural science, or forensic science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related subjects from an accredited educational institution.
• Eight years of experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory.
• Must have a working expertise in one forensic discipline.

DNA Assignment:

• DNA assignment requires additional coursework in population genetics or statistics and an additional 9 credit hours of biology.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted driver's license with no major citations within the past 36 months prior to the start date. The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles requires that out-of-state driver's licenses must be surrendered within 10 days of relocating to the State of Arizona. Note: Graduated Driver's Licenses are considered restricted.
• Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

Other pertinent licenses and/or certifications may be required of some positions depending on department/section assignment.
Essential Functions

Forensic Scientist I: Click here to view the job description for and full list of Essential Functions.

Forensic Scientist II: Click here to view the job description for and full list of Essential Functions.

Forensic Scientist III: Click here to view the job description for and full list of Essential Functions.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
Click Forensic Scientist I, Forensic Scientist II, Forensic Scientist III to view the job description and full list of Work Environment/Physical Demands.

Benefits Highlights:

The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 12 Paid Holidays, which includes 1 Floating Holiday
• Vacation Accrual; starts at 10.3 hours/month
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical (which includes behavioral health coverage), Dental and Vision Benefits
• City Paid Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times employee annual salary); option of Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement; $2,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 11.98% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide 457
• Pet Insurance
• Bilingual pay compensation
• Employer contribution of $10 per pay period to employee's PEHP (Post-Employment Health Plan) account

Please visit the Human Resources and Benefits Information page for more information.
Selection Process:

The application and supplemental questions are essential components of the selection process and must be completed in their entirety for your candidacy to be considered. Please ensure that each section is fully completed and all questions are answered thoroughly. Do not substitute responses with "See Resume." Incomplete answers, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from further consideration.

Applicants whose education, training, and experience most closely align with the requirements of the position may be invited to participate in a selection process, which may include a panel interview. Candidates selected to move forward will be required to successfully complete a post-offer, pre-employment background screening, which may include the following:

• Fingerprinting search of the national FBI Database
• Criminal Background screening
• Drug Screen
• 39-Month Motor Vehicle Department Records Check
• Psychological Testing
• Polygraph Examination

The timeframe for reapplying with the Police Department varies depending on the position and the operational needs of the organization.
The City of Scottsdale reserves the right to change this process at any time, potentially without advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Years of experience are calculated based on a full-time schedule of 2,080 hours per year and a part-time schedule of 1,040 hours per year. Work experience may at times substitute for education on a year-for-year basis; however, depending on the job classification, education may not be used as a substitute for required work experience.
Full-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday and medical leave as well as insurance for medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance. For a more detailed overview of the employee benefits,

Part-Time Positions:
The City of Scottsdale offers paid medical leave for part-time staff.

Commute Solutions Program
City of Scottsdale provides free Valley Metro Platinum passes to employees for the bus and light rail systems when commuting; a vanpool subsidy is also available. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear & tear on their vehicle, and help the environment all at the same time.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
The City of Scottsdale is considered a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). You may find more information about the PSFL program by going to the Federal Student Aid website by clicking
01

Do you have a valid driver's license (not expired or suspended/revoked)?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have any of the following restrictions on your driver's license? Please note that this does not include vision correction.

• Interlock Device
• Court Mandated Restricted Hours
• Other Non-Medical Restriction(s)
• have no restrictions on my driver's license

03

Are you a current City of Scottsdale employee?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a Bachelors Degree (or higher) in chemistry, biology, related physical science or natural science, or forensic science, with a minimum of 20 semester hours in chemistry related subjects from an accredited educational institution. NOTE: All relevant information regarding your education must also be listed on your application. Transcripts/training certificate(s) are required to be submitted with the application PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THE CHEMISTRY RELATED COURSEWORK ON YOUR ATTACHMENT.

• Yes
• No

05

If you want to be considered for the Forensic Scientist DNA specialty position do you have nine semesters (or equivalentcredit hours) in biochemistry, genetics, or molecular biology?Transcripts/training certificate(s) are required to besubmitted with the application.PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THE BIOCHEMISTRY, GENETICS, OR MOLECULAR BIOLOGYCREDITS ON YOUR ATTACHMENT.
06

If you want to be considered for the Forensic Scientist DNA specialty position, do you have college course work ortraining in statistics and/or population genetics?Transcripts/training certificate(s) are required to be submitted with theapplication.PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THE STATISTICS AND/OR POPULATION GENETICS CREDITS ON YOUR ATTCHMENT.

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of experience do you have as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory?
08

If you have experience as a forensics examiner in a crime laboratory, please summarize your experience to include the forensic discipline(s) in which a structured training program was completed, and a competency test passed.
09

Please describe your experience with any and/or all of the following. If you don't have experience in any of the following areas, please enter "N/A." *DNA Extraction to include Robotics *DNA Quantification*DNA amplification*3500 Genetic Analyzer *GeneMapper ID-X or other analysis software*DNA interpretation of DNA profiles to include complex mixtures *Probabilistic Genotyping *Performing technical review *Preparing for or maintaining ANAB accreditation *Validation*Court testimony
10

Describe your current or previous laboratory duties and responsibilities, including any experience gained through employment, internships, or academic research. If you do not have relevant laboratory experience, enter "N/A."
11

If you have worked as a DNA analyst in a crime laboratory, approximately how many forensic DNA cases have you analyzed in your career? If you do not have forensic DNA casework experience, enter "N/A."
12

Describe any experience you have with contact or touch DNA evidence. Discuss any sampling, collection, or processing methods you have used and their effectiveness. If you do not have experience with contact or touch DNA evidence, enter "N/A."
13

Describe any experience you have with statistical analysis of DNA profiles, particularly mixed DNA profiles. Identify the statistical methods and/or software programs you have used. If you do not have relevant experience, enter "N/A."
14

Please indicate how you learned about this job opportunity with the City of Scottsdale.

• City Website
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair (In-Person / Virtual)
• Recruiter
• Other

Required Question