LABORATORY/CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN

Job Description:

LABORATORY/CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN

Description

Summary

Minimum Starting Salary: $32.5000 per hour

THE CITY OF WACO SEEKS: A detail-oriented, organized individual to join the City of Waco Police Department as a Laboratory Crime Scene Technician. Do you have experience and/or knowledge of conducting investigations, collecting, processing, and preserving evidence related to a criminal investigation? If this is you, apply now!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in In Criminal Justice, Forensic Science or a related field such as biology, chemistry,
  molecular biology, physics, or microbiology
• AND two (2) years of experience in crime scene processing
• OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must complete Police Department Background Packet (will be sent on February 27, 2026).

Preferred:

• Experience in latent print development and fingerprint comparison.

Hours:

• Various days and hours, including overnight hours, weekends, and holidays.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Must possess a valid Class C Texas Driver’s License.
• Certifications through Texas Division of the IAI is recommended within one (1) year of hire date.
• Additional licenses and certifications may be required.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Under basic supervision, processes crime scenes for evidence to include photography, latent prints, and other trace evidence for the Waco Police Department (WPD).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Process crime scenes for evidence, to include, but not limited to detecting/lifting fingerprints, taking digital photographs, and collecting, storing, and preserving items of evidence (i.e blood, bodily fluids, weapons, property, etc.).
• Accurately documents work product in offense reports and on diagrams.
• Testifies in court, maintains a chain of custody of evidence, and acquires and maintains a working knowledge of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Works in an environment containing bio-hazardous materials.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with residents, visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
• Must have ability to climb, carry, stoop, and crawl and safely operate a motor vehicle. Frequently exposed to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and precipitation; fumes and odors from processing chemicals; and bio-logical hazards such as blood and body fluids.
• Update and maintain the Lab Safety Plan/Manual and the SDS Manual. Manages and updates Chemical inventories and/or Risk Group Agent inventories. Ensures all reagents and supplies are available when needed.
• Oversees laboratory safety and ensures that the laboratory remains in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. In cases where non-compliance is found, documents the instances as well as how they were abated.
• Communicates and enforces laboratory safety rules to internal and external employees working/dropping off evidence in the lab.
• Ensures all users of the lab are wearing the appropriate PPE. Ensures that the laboratory is cleaned/sanitized and kept in an orderly manner.
• Ensures all instrumentations/equipment is functioning properly to include but not limited to the eyewash station, and when instruments/equipment is found to be in need of maintenance/repair, he/she contacts the Equipment Engineer to have it repaired
• Responds to Crime Scene Unit calls for service as needed and performs the duties of a Crime Scene Technician as described at the end of this report. Must live in McLennan County and be able to work an on-call schedule when designated. May be required to respond afterhours, including holidays and weekends, in the event of a departmental or City-wide emergency.
• Operates a City vehicle to respond to crime scenes throughout the City and surrounding jurisdictions, transport equipment and supplies, and securely collect and transfer evidence to designated locations.

The City of Waco offers a complete benefits package for eligible employees including; health, dental, vision, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, long term and short term disability, retirement, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, credit union and savings bonds.

To learn more about the benefits offered, visit our Benefits page.

Why Work For Waco:

• Meaningful and challenging work
• Make a difference and improve communities
• Competitive Salary and Benefits
  • Full Range of Benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
  • Mandatory TMRS Retirement Plan with a 2:1 City Match
  • Education Assistance Program
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance
  • Longevity Pay
  • And More!
• Chance to do work you are passionate about
• Desire to give back

Closing Date/Time: 2/26/2026 11:59 PM Central

Salary:

$53,954.78 - $79,692.50 Annually