Forensic Scientist Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $51,971.00 - $79,062.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-52613-72061
Department: Pennsylvania State Police
Division: SP Harrisburg Rgnl Lab
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/8/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 72061
Position Number: 00071184
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00209364
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Forensic Services / Harrisburg Regional Laboratory
Worksite Address: 1800 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: PSP Human Resource Civilian Placement
Contact Email: RA-SPSPCIVILPLCMT@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The Forensic Scientist Trainee position with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) opens the door to the exciting world of scientific investigation. This role builds valuable laboratory skills while giving you the chance to support law enforcement in meaningful ways. You will grow your confidence as you learn to analyze evidence and contribute to important criminal cases. Step into a career that uses science to protect communities and make a real difference.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role trains you to analyze evidence and prepare clear laboratory reports that support criminal investigations. It builds the scientific foundation needed to understand drug identification and prepare for courtroom testimony. As a Forensic Scientist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Laboratory Analysis: Conduct scientific tests on evidence using microscopy, spectroscopy, and chromatography techniques
• Training Participation: Develop skills in identifying controlled substances and preparing accurate written reports
• Case Documentation: Maintain complete and accurate records of all tests and results in case files
• Evidence Handling: Learn proper techniques for receiving, preserving, and managing physical evidence
• Policy Compliance: Follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Pennsylvania State Police Program, Quality Assurance, and Safety Manual
• Courtroom Support: Provide expert testimony on analytical methods, findings, and chain of custody when required

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, or are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree or higher, in one of the following majors: chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

02
If you do not possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
03
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

04
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - CHEMISTRY COURSEWORK/CREDITS
Select the level of performance which best represents your chemistry coursework and credits.

• A. I have successfully completed 5 or more college chemistry courses, with at least one course at the graduate level in chemistry, totaling more than 16 college credits in Chemistry.
• B. I have successfully completed 5 or more college chemistry courses totaling more than 16 college credits in Chemistry AND I have professional experience conducting qualitative or quantitative chemical/biological analysis using standard or published methods.
• C. I have successfully completed 5 or more college chemistry courses, totaling more than 16 college credits in Chemistry.
• D. I have successfully completed 16 college credits in Chemistry related to this work behavior.
• E. I do not have any college credits/coursework related to this Work Behavior.

05
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. Be sure to list all Chemistry related coursework, including labs that demonstrate you have 16 credits or more in Chemistry. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University