Forensic Science Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Initial Posting Date:
08/10/2026
Application Deadline:
11/08/2026
Agency:
Oregon State Department of Police
Salary Range:
$4,308 - $5,984
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Forensic Lab Specialist - Administrative Specialist 2
Job Description:
The Oregon State Police in Clackamas, Oregon is hiring for two (2) Full-Time, Permanent Forensic Lab Specialist positions. These positions are in office without the opportunity for a remote or hybrid work schedule. To learn more about the Forensic Services Division, click here.
Studies have shown that people from underrepresented backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet all the qualifications and preferred skills described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognize that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you meet key qualifications for the job and believe you would be a good fit, we encourage you to apply; please use your resume and cover letter to address your qualifications and the preferred skills for this position.
If you are a current OSP AFSCME employee and you wish to receive preference as an internal applicant, you must apply in Workday by end of day on 08/20/2026. If you apply after this time, you will not receive internal preference and your interview materials will be reviewed along with external applicants. This recruitment will remain open until 11/03/2026, or until filled, with application review dates occurring approximately every two weeks beginning 08/21/2026. We may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications.
If you require an alternate format to complete the employment process, or to request a copy of the position description, please contact osp.recruiting@osp.oregon.gov and reference REQ-204908.
The salary listed is the non-PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) qualifying salary range. Prior to applying you should ensure all sections of your Workday Job History page is accurate and complete. This information is utilized during the pay equity analysis phase.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
Summary of Job Duties:
This is a multifaceted position, in which you will:

• Evaluate incoming physical evidence and the associated paperwork to ensure compliance with Laboratory policies and evidence packaging guidelines.
• Independently evaluate submitted evidence and requests to determine if the requested service is within the forensic laboratory's scope of testing, and if not, work to remedy or possibly reject the submission and return it to the submitting agency for correction.
• Represent OSP FSD in a positive, professional manner and treat each customer with respect even in high stress situations. You will be an integral part of the laboratory system and the required attention to detail is critical for the success of the FSD.
• Maintain security and protect evidence according to laboratory procedures ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained, including handling of hazardous and contaminated evidence. You will be the first to enter the OSP forensic laboratory into the chain of custody for each criminal case and failure to do this correctly could jeopardize the prosecution of the case.
• Assist law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and the public, as well as provide internal support for laboratory staff.
• Work with little to no supervision and require independent judgment regarding course of action ability to interpret and make decisions, some of which may be non-routine. Occasionally you may be the only OSP FSD representative in the laboratory and will be responsible for interpreting rules, policies, and procedures, and applying them to certain situations that are routine and non-routine.
• Deal with sensitive issues that require confidentiality and must be handled with tact and diplomacy.
• Work together as a team with other OSP personnel to ensure that laboratory goals are met.

Minimum Qualifications/Eligibility Requirements:
Three years of secretarial or administrative support experience that includes coordinating office procedures, preparing narrative and statistical reports, and administrative data collection and analysis.
OR
An associate degree in general office occupations and two years of secretarial or administrative support experience that includes coordinating office procedures, preparing narrative and statistical reports, and administrative data collection and analysis.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Note: If you are selected to move forward in the selection process, you must provide official transcripts from all institutions of higher education that were used in the award of your degree.
Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities, multi-tasking, using sound judgment and demonstrated follow through on task completion
• Demonstrated experience anticipating customer needs and providing prompt solutions
• Demonstrated strength in detail orientated tasks with the ability to maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with accreditation standards
• Demonstrated capacity to maintain a high level of professionalism in a high stress work environment and the ability to work autonomously
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members, management, and internal and external customers within the criminal justice community while maintaining confidentiality

This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
Special Qualifications:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• Must be able to provide credible sworn testimony in a criminal or civil proceeding arising from the performance of duties.
• As a condition of employment and/or to routinely work in any of the Forensic Services Division's laboratories in any capacity, all individuals are required to provide appropriate samples for inclusion into the Confidential Staff DNA Identification Index.
• Must pass a urine analysis drug screen.
• Must pass all applicable background, credit, and criminal history checks.

Prior to being hired with the Oregon State Police Forensics Division, you will be required to participate in a full background investigation process which will include a Criminal History Check and a Credit History Check when applicable. These positions, in the course of regular business activities, are responsible for the handling, management and/or analysis of several types of sensitive evidence, including bank statements, checks, debit and credit card information, and other financial records that contain financial information not customarily provided in a retail transaction. Forensic employees also handle, manage and/or analyze large amounts of cash, firearms, jewelry, controlled substances, and other valuable property collected as evidence during on-going criminal investigations.
Selection Process:
The process will be comprised of the following evaluation assessment (subject to change).

• Interview

How to Apply:
Apply in Workday by the deadline listed above, failure to submit your application by 11:59PM of the above listed date will result in automatic disqualification of your application. You must submit a resume demonstrating your experience as it relates to the minimum qualifications for the position. In addition to a resume, you must submit a cover letter - no more than two pages in length - addressing how you meet the preferred skills for this position. Failure to attach a resume addressing the minimum qualifications and a cover letter addressing the preferred skills will result in disqualification of your application. Please submit these documents in either MS Word or PDF format.
This position is covered by an AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement. Current OSP AFSCME Local 896 employees who meet the minimum qualifications of this position will be given preference in the selection process. Current OSP employees should refer to the Filling of Vacancies policy for additional information.
The Oregon State Police does not offer visa sponsorships.
U.S. Veteran and/or Oregon National Guard Servicemember Status Designation
Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.
For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.
Additional Information:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at OSP
Background Hiring Information
Employee Benefits
Veterans Employment in State Government
Pay Equity Information & Resources
What You Need to Know to Get the Job