BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Senior Forensic Scientist - Latent Prints
Chicago Police Department
Bureau of Detectives/Forensic Services Unit
Number of Positions: 1
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $81,636
This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.
BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND
1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"
2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')
3. Select your correct bargaining unit
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 11/04/26
Under supervision, the class works in a specialized unit within the Chicago Police Department's Forensic Laboratory (e.g., latent print development/examination, evidence examination, firearms and ballistics, or other related forensic disciplines). The class performs senior-level functions, working independently, on a wide range of complex scientific examinations of the nature, origin, and significance of physical evidence in crime investigations; and performs related duties as required
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Performs independent scientific examinations in a specialized area of Forensics
• Performs preliminary reviews of case evaluations completed by Forensic Scientists
• Provides technical assistance to Forensic Scientists and other departmental members
• Receives, collects, and preserves, physical evidence submitted to the Forensic laboratory associated with criminal investigations
• Applies scientific principles to identify and classify items received in the laboratory (e.g., hair, skin, tissues, blood, bones, bullets, shells, weapons, etc.)
• Conducts chemical analyses of evidentiary materials (e.g., blood, fibers, tool marks, body fluids)
• Conducts tests on physical items using various methods and scientific tools (e.g., visual examinations, instrumental analysis, presumptive evaluations, enhancement techniques, extractions, quantifications, microscopic techniques, comparative examinations)
• Analyzes chemical and physical substances, materials, liquids, or other physical evidence and prepares chemical reagents within assigned forensic discipline
• Uses photographic equipment to enhance evidence through digital imaging and post processing
• Identifies and reaches scientific conclusions supported by data and observations
• Communicates findings and conclusions with departmental members
• Prepares technical reports or presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions and prepares results for court of other formal hearings
• Performs audits of chemicals, equipment and laboratory supplies
• Maintains compliance with accreditation standards, laboratory and departmental procedures and methods
• Attends seminars and reviews published materials to remain abreast of new technology and new applications in the area of forensic analysis
• Maintains the laboratory in a clean and orderly manner
• Performs basic maintenance, calibration and quality control on scientific instruments
• Conducts regular performance monitoring, including proficiency and competency testing, as required
• Testifies as an expert witness on evidence and crime laboratory techniques at the local, state and federal levels
• Trains new Forensic Scientists in a primary forensic sub-discipline
• Confers with senior level scientists on case investigations
• Assists in training Forensic Scientists in the methods of analysis, collection methods and preservation techniques
Additional duties may be required for this position
Location: Bureau of Detectives / Forensic Services Unit
Address: 3340 W. Fillmore, Chicago, IL 60624
Days: Monday-Friday
Days off: Saturday and Sunday
Hours: 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM OR 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field of science, plus two (2) years of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science, OR
Should the above criteria not be fulfilled, the following options are acceptable:
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Forensic Science, Physical or Natural Science, or a directly related field, plus one (1) year of work experience in an area of forensic analysis and/or science
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Positions assigned to the below forensic disciplines require the following professional
certification:
• Latent Print Unit - must possess or be able to obtain International Association for Identification (IAI) Certification for latent prints within six (6) months of hire, OR
Physical Requirements
• Occasional standing
• Frequent Hand/Eye coordination to operate laboratory instruments and other technical instruments
• Occasional Visual acuity correctable to 20/40 with no color impairment to interpret data
• Some lifting (up to 25 pounds) is required
