Entry Level Natural Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16683
Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division: Firearms Laboratory
Opening Date: 05/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/1/2026 12:30 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 275
Position Description
Mission
The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief IBIS Support Technician Overview:
The IBIS Support Technician is an entry-level position responsible for evaluating and documenting the function and safety of firearms that are submitted to the Department's Firearms Identification Division.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Inventories, documents, evaluates, and test fires various types of firearms; conducts serial number restoration of firearms; issues reports reflecting results of examinations
• Conducts administrative reviews of casework to ensure compliance with laboratory procedures and accreditation standards
• Provides expert testimony; provides technical assistance to law enforcement and attorneys
• Assists with the training of new employees; enters specimens into the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, or a related natural science (e.g., biology, physics)
• Must have completed a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college level statistics course from an accredited university or program approved by the Texas Forensic Science Commission

* APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT WITH APPLICATION *
Licensure & Certifications:

• Must comply with State of Texas Forensic Science Commission licensure requirements within one year of hire
• Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

Additional Requirements:

• Upon being hired, must complete training program to become authorized to access the IBIS / NIBIN network
• Must have capable eyesight to evaluate test fired bullets
• Must pass a criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly after employment)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong written and oral communication skills with effective organization and time management skills
• Ability to understand and follow instructions consistently and repeatedly; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time | 40 hrs. per week
  
• Monday - Friday
  
• Scheduled weekend and evening shifts may be necessary

Work Environment:

• Office / laboratory setting

Potential Exposures:

• Exposure to loud noises - test firing weapons into a water tank and in a shooting range
  
• Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals and/or biohazardous materials

Physical Demands:

• Medium work. Requires physical strength to lift and handle large and heavy items weighing up to forty (40) pounds in the routine performance of duties
  
• Ability to safely test fire all types of firearms on a routine basis
  
• Ability to work for extended periods of time while seated at a computer

Location:

• 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to: Director, Firearms Identification

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Forensic Science
• Chemistry
• Natural Science
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03
Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
04
Have you completed a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college level statistics course from an accredited university or program approved by the Texas Forensic Science Commission?

• Yes
• No

05
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

06
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I am not eligible/interested to obtain this type of licensure

07
Please provide number, class, state and expiration date below:(Type N/A if not applicable)
08
An unofficial copy of your college transcript is required along with your application. (Please scan your transcripts and attach to this application before submitting).

• Yes, I have attached a copy of my complete transcripts.
• No, I have not attached the required transcript. I understand that this may result in disqualification from the employment process.
• N/A (not applicable)

Required Question