Crime Scene Specialist
Salary
$59,321.60 Annually
Location
2545 E Pleasant Run Parkway N Dr, IN
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
09980
Department
Marion County Forensic Services Agency
Opening Date
07/31/2026
Closing Date
8/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Overview
Position is responsible for providing crime scene specialist and investigation activities for public safety agencies throughout Marion County. Assists in the development and implementation of crime scene scientific programs; confers with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate work activities at scenes and/or in the laboratory. Provides preliminary analysis of collected crime scene evidence. Provides testimony as an expert in court as needed. Ensures that the total work product meets all appropriate scientific, legal and accreditation requirements. Trains new employees as assigned. Incumbent must exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties and receive minimal supervision. Independent judgment must be exercised with assessing crime scenes and in the course or performing one's duty. Position reports to the Crime Scene Specialist Supervisor.
Agency Summary
The purpose and mission of the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is to serve the Marion County Community and supports the needs of the Criminal Justice System by providing services in Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Document Examinations, Latent Print Processing and Examination, Blood Alcohol Analysis, Fire Debris Analysis, Seized Drugs Analysis, Firearms Examinations and NIBIN, DNA and Serology Analysis and Forensic Evidence Technician (Morgue Liaison) services. The agency cultivates a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.
Position Responsibilities
Responsible for forensic support in the identification, preservation, and collection of forensic evidence at crime scenes, providing a wide variety of crime scene activities involving crimes against persons homicides, suicides, rapes, aggravated assaults, etc. to include fingerprint processing, DNA collection/swabbing, and firearm evidence Ensures that appropriate quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) methodologies are employed throughout their section of the laboratory, per accreditation guidelines Provides expert testimony in courtAssists supervisors to develop, implement, and provide technical guidance to all employees within the laboratory to include QA/QCImplements newly developed forensic and crime scene technologies Reviews statistical data and ensures compliance with appropriate scientific, legal and government regulationsRecommends modification of practices to the section supervisor, as required, for operation of sectionServes as liaison between IMCFSA and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that scientific and administrative support is providedConducts training, as directed, for local agencies to include basic evidence technician courses, crime scene courses and specialized forensic applications courses for the proper collection of evidence in the forensic disciplines of drug chemistry, trace chemistry, questions documents, latent prints, DNA, serology, and firearms and/or toolmarks.Attends seminars, meetings, and conferences to incorporate new developments into laboratory case workPresents results of laboratory research at conferences and/or publish results in scientific journalsMust maintain confidentiality at all timesThis list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses. Five (5) years' experience in crime scene processing or five (5) years law enforcement experience from a certified law enforcement academy, and experience in digital photography and alternative light sources may be used as a degree equivalent. Incumbent must be willing and capable of completing an internal/external training program determined by the Crime Scene Specialist Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Program, and capable of completing additional and specialized training, as required or available, from Federal, State and Local agencies, and other organizations. Incumbent shall maintain proficiency through annual proficiency testing. Should have knowledge of the criminal justice system and familiarity with the sensitive and confidential nature of evidence managing and examination. Must be able to establish and set priorities according to time sensitive information in order to have continued success in this position. Must be able to communicate effectively in oral, verbal, and written formats. Must be able to attain Crime Scene Certification through the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board within one year after completion of training.
Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications
Master's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses, including minimum qualifications listed.
Working Conditions
Majority of work is performed in the field and a variety of weather conditions and locations. Some time may be performed in a standard office environment.
All rates are bi-weekly.
2026 Rate Sheet - To view our rate sheet, please copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:67382b58-4d1a-4519-89d7-8453f91e19a1
Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month):
Basic: Employer Paid
Optional Life Insurance Employee Only (rates per $1,000 per month)
Additional:
<25-29 $0.058
30-34 $0.083
35-39 $0.099
40-44 $0.132
45-49 $0.223
50-54 $0.363
55-59 $0.600
60-64 $0.795
65-69 $1.329
70 + $2.054
IMPORTANT PERF UPDATE:
Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.
Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employees career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the members age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.
With the PERF My Choice: Retirement Savings Plan, the ASA is split up into two parts:
Part one - This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.
Part two - This consists of an additional variable rate contribution paid by the City toward your ASA. This variable rate contribution is currently 1% of your gross wages. Vesting in the value of the variable rate employer contribution will vary by length of participation. You are:
Annuity Savings Account (ASA) -This consists of the mandatory employee contribution of three (3%) percent of compensation (made for the employee by the City), plus interest credits or earnings. Youre always vested in your ASA portion - its always yours.
Pension - The pension portion of the retirement benefit is funded by contributions made by the employer over the course of the employees career and separate from the annuity savings account. Employees enrolled in the PERF Hybrid plan are eligible for retirement benefits at age sixty-five (65) if they have ten (10) or more years of creditable service. After June 30, 1995, employees may retire at age sixty (60) with at least fifteen (15) years of credible service or if the members age in years plus the years of credible service equals at least 85 and the member is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. With fifteen (15) or more years of creditable service, the employee may retire as early as age fifty (50) with a reduced pension.
The Indiana General Assembly has enacted a provision that allows public employees to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory three percent (3%) contributions. Employees may contribute up to an additional ten- percent (10%) of their compensation per pay period to the annuity savings account. This means that the maximum level of contributions to the annuity savings account under this new provision is thirteen percent (13%) of an employees compensation per pay period.
Employees who separate from the city within their first ten (10) years of employment need to contact INPRS - PERF regarding their ASA account.
Questions relating to PERF may be directed to INPRS - PERF at:
Indiana Public Retirement System
Public Employees Retirement Fund
One North Capitol, Suite 001
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(888) 236-3544
01
Please indicate the highest level of education that you possess
02
Do you have knowledge of forensic science and its application to the criminal investigation process?
03
Do you possess a bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or Criminal Justice?
04
Do you possess physical ability to collect physical evidence?
05
Do you possess physical ability to lift 50 pounds or more?
06
Do you possess physical ability to endure standing for long periods of time?
07
Do you possess physical ability to lift and remove potential evidence from a vehicle, to include a tire?
08
Do you possess physical ability to carry and operate a police radio?
09
Have you graduated from a state law enforcement academy?
10
I understand to be considered for this position I must attach my college transcripts to this posting.
11
Do you possess physical ability to apply safety techniques (e.g., gas masks, TYVEK suits/hoods)?
12
Do you possess physical ability to crawl at a crime scene while searching for evidence?
13
Do you possess physical ability to remain on your knees for more than 30 minutes at a time?
14
Do you possess physical ability to carry video camera, digital camera, and other equipment contained in the crime scene vans?
15
Do you possess physical ability to tolerate navigating a lengthy distance between crime scenes, to include a distance of 100 yards or more?
16
Do you possess physical ability to drive the crime scene vans?
17
Do you possess physical ability to use powders, chemicals, and processing lights used for physical evidence collected at a crime scene?
18
Do you possess physical ability to remove an interior door weighing less than 100 pounds?
19
Do you possess physical ability to remain outside in extreme temperatures or inclement weather?
20
Do you possess physical ability to maneuver on and around uneven terrain, to include steep inclines and hills?
21
Do you possess the ability to work in cramped spaces, i.e., attics, crawl spaces while gathering evidence?
22
Do you possess the ability to tolerate the odor of human decomposition?
23
Do you possess physical ability to climb a ladder over 10 feet?
24
Do you possess physical ability to carry physical evidence at the crime scene and the lab, with varying weight, to include 50-pound objects?
25
Do you possess physical ability to tolerate navigating a lengthy distance between crime scenes, to include a distance of 100 yards or more?
Required Question
Employer City of Indianapolis and Marion County
Address 200 E. Washington Street
CCB 1501
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
Phone 317-327-5211
Website http://www.indy.gov
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |