Forensic Science Jobs in Lexington, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $49,000.00 - $52,000.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 26-084
Agency: State Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Division: Criminal Justice Information Services
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Residency Requirement: No
Class Code:: AH35
Position Number:: 60005131
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN08
Hiring Range - Min.: $49,000.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $52,000.00
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: All applicants must complete the on-line State application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, nor will it be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
About SLED
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is a premier statewide law enforcement agency dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of South Carolina. With a proud history rooted in integrity, professionalism, and public service, SLED is committed to providing high-quality investigative, intelligence, and forensic services to support law enforcement agencies across the state.
At SLED, we value dedication, ethical conduct, accountability, and a strong commitment to justice. Our agency plays a vital role in maintaining public safety and supporting criminal justice efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. From advanced forensic science to homeland security, criminal investigations, and criminal justice information systems, SLED's diverse responsibilities make it one of the most dynamic law enforcement agencies in the state.
We foster a professional work environment where teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement are fundamental. Our employees are held to the highest standards and are given opportunities to grow within a mission-driven organization that makes a meaningful difference in South Carolina communities.
Learn more about why you should join our team at
General Responsibility
Supervise and coordinate a team in variety of specialized coding duties to assist the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Index as required by state and federal law. Process and maintain the NICS Indices to include researching, entering, updating, and correcting efficiently and accurately.
Specific Duties

• Lead and develop a team, and facilitate the distribution of work, scheduling, quality assurance, and training initiatives. Attend and conduct training on NICS. Verify that U21s and R84s are completed correctly in the allotted time frame.
• Review daily correspondence from the courts, solicitors, and drug labs to determine if the offenses would prohibit a person from carrying and obtaining a weapon or obtaining a concealed weapons permit, and if that person falls under the NICS denial and/or revocation policy. Prepare the indictments spreadsheet monthly for entry into the indices. Verify and submit all revocation letters and any correspondence to persons entered into the NICS Index or from persons regarding appeals and/or reliefs.
• Perform quality assurance to ensure all entries are correct and supported by documentation. Prepares for the triannual FBI NICS Audit and answers any questions. Organize and maintain files on all NICS Indices entries and remove NICS Indices entries as necessary. Keep up to date on proper research, coding procedures, laws, legislation, and policies to ensure accurate and complete information is added to the NICS Index with the proper supporting document. Organize and collect statistical data as needed.
• Conduct meaningful and quality performance reviews on subordinates. Identify and assess an employee's strengths, quality of work, and weaknesses using performance reviews (EPMS). All performance reviews are conducted in a fair and impartial manner and are completed within the specified period.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an associates degree with four (4) years of experience in criminal justice communication and/or training; work experience may be substituted for education on a year-by-year basis.
• Must be able to obtain NCIC Full Function Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Extensive knowledge of the FBI Security policy, NCIC Operating Policies, and NICS.
• Must possess the ability to interpret arrest data from criminal histories and other court documentation to make accurate NICS Indices entries.
• Strong communication skills; including the ability to foster relationships with state, local, and federal partners.
• Ability to supervise, train, and interact with subordinates in a professional manner.
• Position may require statewide travel, including overnight travel as necessary.

Additional Comments
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
SLED offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation of yourself may be grounds for disqualification.
Conditional selection based on candidate education, training, experience, oral interviews and clearance of background investigation.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02
Please describe any relevant experience in criminal justice communication and/or training.
03
Do you have any supervisory experience? If yes, please list how much and briefly describe your experience.
04
I understand that this position requires the ability to obtain NCIC Full Function Certification within six (6) months of hire.

• Yes
• No

05
If offered the position, are you willing to accept a salary offer between $49,000 and $52,000?

• Yes
• No

06
As part of the application process, are you willing to submit to a background investigation to include: a criminal history check, driving record, history of drug use, employer and personal reference checks?

• Yes
• No

07
Have you ever used/experimented with any illegal drugs? If yes, provide name of drug and last date used.
08
Have you ever purchased or sold any illegal drugs? If yes, provide name of drug and date of action.
09
As a condition of employment, I understand that all sworn and non-sworn employees, including contract and temporary employees will be subject to random drug testing.

• Yes
• No

10
I understand that these supplemental questions are an official part of this application. Any attempt to misrepresent myself may be grounds for disqualification.

• Yes
• No

11
I have read each question carefully and affirm or attest that all questions answered are true and correct?

• Yes
• No

12
How did you learn about this career opportunity? (Careers.SC.Gov; LinkedIn; Employee Referral; Career Fair; Direct E-Mail; Etc.) Please specify below.
13
Will you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the selection procedures (e.g., interview, written tests, or job demonstrations)? If yes, contact the human resources office of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division.

• Yes
• No

Required Question