Forensic Specialist Trainee

Position Details

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position Forensic Specialist Trainee Job Type Full Time Posting Type Public Number of Vacancies 1 Department POLICE Division POLICE SUPPORT Requisition Number 2026525 Number of hours worked per week 40 Work Schedule

Schedule: Variable Shifts with overtime as needed

Work Site Location Chesapeake, VA Position Driving Requirement R - Routine Pay Grade GE07 Pay Basis Semi-Monthly Advertised Salary

$45,852- $60,754 / annually

Job Description

Kickstart your career in forensic science with the Chesapeake Police Department!

As a Forensic Specialist Trainee, you will learn to collect, process, and preserve evidence related to criminal investigations. Your responsibilities will include safeguarding and presenting evidence, preparing reports, and performing administrative duties to support the Forensic Unit.

This role follows set procedures under the direct supervision of the Forensic Specialist Supervisor, providing hands-on training and mentorship to help you develop the skills needed for a rewarding career in law enforcement.

• Please NOTE * The Forensic Specialist Trainee provides service to the community on a 24 hour basis during all hours of the day and night.

In order to accommodate this 24 hour service, this position works on a rotating schedules, which includes working weekends and holidays, and may involve work in excess of regularly scheduled hours (overtime) when required by operational necessity.

Other assigned responsibilities for the Forensic Specialist Trainee include:

• Collects evidence at crime scenes or related areas using technical processes to find, collect, store, catalog, and transport.
• Prepares representations of crime scenes or related areas using still or motion video, sketches, notes, or other processes.
• Prepares evidence information for use, presents to others, and testifies about evidence in court.
• Performs related duties such as fingerprinting, maintaining chemicals, supplies, and technical equipment.
• Performs administrative functions such as recording statistical information, compiling reports, performing specialized studies, coordinating with other agencies or the public, and maintaining logs and forms.
• Trains others on evidence collecting and processing procedures.
• Attends case or staff meetings to exchange information; attends in-service training and technical or professional classes, seminars, or conferences to improve technical or professional skills.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Requires high school diploma or GED and any combination of education and experience equivalent to satisfactory completion of one year of college education in forensic science or a closely related field.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Requires a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City Driving Standards.

Special skills or equipment certification may be required.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of six months of related, full-time equivalent experience.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFYING FACTORS:

Disqualification factors from the date of the application include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to any felony.
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor involving acts of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, and stealing).
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to a misdemeanor sex offense.
• Convicted of, plead guilty to, or no contest to domestic assault.
• Conviction of possession, manufacture, and/or distribution of illegal drugs, excluding possession of marijuana or any cannabis derivative. ·
• Use of Cocaine, LSD, PCP, or any type of hallucinogenic drug in the last five years.
• Dishonorable discharge, Bad conduct/Misconduct discharge, and Other than Honorable discharges from military service. General and Uncharacterized discharges from military service will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Untruthfulness or the withholding of pertinent information during any phase of the application process (e.g. application, interview, paperwork).
• Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the process.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of law enforcement methods and procedures dealing with the proper collection, preservation and storage of all criminal evidence. Criminal law with particular reference to criminal evidence, and chain of custody.

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date 11/10/2026 Job Close Date 11/17/2026 Open Continuous No Special Instructions to Applicants

Medical Marijuana:

In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands H=Heavy - Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 25-50 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs constantly.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Lifting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Lifting Amount Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Carrying Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs Pushing/Pulling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 20 to 50 lbs Reaching Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Handling Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Fine Dexterity Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Kneeling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Crouching Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Crawling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Bending Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Twisting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Climbing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Balancing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Talking Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Foot Controls Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used Protective Equipment Required

Health and Safety

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Mechanical Hazards M = Several Times Per Month Chemical Hazards D = Daily Electrical Hazards N = Never Fire Hazards N = Never Explosives N = Never Communicable Diseases W = Several Times Per Week Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never Other N = Never If Other, Description

Environmental Factors

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Dirt and Dust W = Several Times Per Week Extreme Temperatures W = Several Times Per Week Noise and Vibration M = Several Times Per Month Fumes and Odors W = Several Times Per Week Wetness/Humidity W = Several Times Per Week Darkness or Poor Lighting W = Several Times Per Week Primary Work Location Office Environment, Vehicle, Outdoors

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Emergency Situations Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Frequent Change of Tasks Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Tedious or Exacting Work Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Noisy/Distracting Environment Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Other If Other, Description Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

N/A

Professional References

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0 Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Have you read the automatic disqualifying factors and do you qualify for this position?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review position requirements for details.

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Letter of Recommendation
• Curriculum Vitae