Forensic DNA Analyst

Salary

$37.72 - $45.29 Hourly

Location

Police Department - City of Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type

Classified - Full Time

Job Number

17431

Division

Colorado Springs Police Department

Department

Forensics

Opening Date

10/27/2025

Closing Date

11/17/2025 4:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions
  
  

Description / Position Overview

The start date for this position will be in early 2026.

About the Job: In this position, you will conduct forensic examinations on evidence submitted to the Metro Crime Lab for the purposes of recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of the physical evidence pertaining to the investigation of a criminal act. In addition, perform all aspects of forensic DNA laboratory casework on evidentiary materials, including evaluation and preparation of evidence, DNA typing, interpretation of analytical results, preparation of case reports, and expert testimony. This position is assigned to the Colorado Springs Metro Crime Laboratory, which is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited lab.

Job Posting Statement: This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year, and any furloughs subsequently approved.

Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!

As a Forensic DNA Analyst, You Will

• Examines evidence items to identify, preserve, collect, and photograph samples for analysis
• Perform presumptive and confirmatory testing on samples from a variety of evidence types related to various criminal cases.
• Collects trace evidence
• Perform forensic DNA analysis from DNA extraction, quantification, and PCR setup, through analysis using specialized analytical instrumentation to develop DNA profiles.
• Interprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of law.
• Prepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedings
• Documents, handles, packages, and receives evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with forensic practices under state and federal laws
• Conduct technical reviews of serological and DNA analysis done by other qualified analysts.
• Provide expert testimony in federal, state, and local court proceedings on actual results of serology and DNA testing conducted.
• Perform other duties by discussing cases and functions of the lab with officers, detectives, and attorneys.
• Instructs others in forensics, DNA evidence collections and provides training seminars
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships
• Interacts effectively with others, to include other analysts in the DNA Unit as well as the laboratory
• May perform duties as a local CODIS administrator
  
  

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of modern forensic equipment and procedures
• Extensive knowledge of the workflow of a forensic crime lab
• Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidence
• Knowledge of DNA QAS documents and ISO 17025:2017 standards
• Knowledge and use of the CODIS database systems
• Knowledge of DNA statistical calculations
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used software programs
• Ability to give professional expert testimony in courts of law
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English, to include public speaking
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision making
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff
• Ability to get along with others
• Strong analytical and communication skills
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field of study.
• Three years of full-time, professional experience in a related field. Examples of related fields include experience in a laboratory performing STR forensics DNA testing for the identification and evaluation of biological evidence in criminal matters, including the successful analysis of a range of samples typically encountered in forensic casework.
  
  

One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and adherence to necessary DNA discipline specific requirements (continuing education, proficiency testing, etc.) for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and /NDIS participation requirements.
• Three or more years of casework experience in an ISO 17025:2017 accredited DNA laboratory performing serological examination and DNA analysis.
• Experience with Organic, Chelex, and various Robotic extraction methods, ABI 3130 Genetic Analyzer, ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer, ABI SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer, ABI 7500 RT PCR instrument (QuantiFiler Duo or Trio), ABI QuantStudio5 RT PCR instrument, GlobalFiler, YFiler, YfilerPlus, IdentiFiler, IdentiFiler Plus, and/or MiniFiler, amplification systems, GeneMapper ID-X software and STRMix or other probabilistic genotyping analysis software.
• Experience validating serological test methods, DNA instrumentation, software, and extraction protocols, CODIS software, and STRMix and/or Probabilistic Genotyping software.
• Experience using JusticeTrax LIMS system and/ another LIMS system. Experience with courtroom testimony.
  
  

Additional Information

For questions specific to this position, please contact cspdhiring@coloradosprings.gov or 719-444-7446.

Pre-employment Requirements: The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.

Applicants that have used marijuana or CBD products within 3 months from the date of their application submission will not be eligible for hire. More information about the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Marijuana Use Policy can be found here.

The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination, extensive background check, and other pre-employment assessments.

The background check for this position includes a polygraph examination and fingerprinting.

Environmental Conditions - Work is performed in an office or laboratory setting and includes working with biohazardous materials, mildly toxic or corrosive chemicals, and instrumentation carrying high voltages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees’ unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be.

The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.

NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position.

The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Apply to Join Our Team

• Please visit the City of Colorado Springs Careers page and review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).
• Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
• Applicants may redact information from their resumes, certifications, transcripts, or any other additional application materials that identify the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
• We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability Program. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page
• Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.
  
  

The City's job classifications, including physical demands and descriptions, can be found on the Colorado Springs Class Specifications page

You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.

To be notified of future career opportunities sign up for job alerts on the Job Alerts page.

Working for the City of Colorado Springs is Rewarding!

Please visit the City of Colorado Springs' Total Rewards Site for additional benefits information.

The City of Colorado Springs is a place where people want to come to work each day. We have a culture of excellence, and we strive to provide our employees with the very best overall career experience and Total Rewards. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

01

Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field of study. This includes subjects that provide an advanced knowledge of forensic DNA analysis?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you have three or more years of full-time professional experience in a related field. This would include experience in a laboratory performing STR forensic DNA testing for the identification and evaluation of biological evidence in criminal matters?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Does your experience include successful analysis of a range of samples typically encountered in forensic casework?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Do you have a graduate degree in related field?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

Do you have knowledge of necessary DNA discipline specific requirements for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and NDIS participation requirements?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Do you have experience validating serological testing methods, DNA instrumentation, software, extraction protocols, CODIS software, STRMix, or other ProbGen software?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Do you have experience with a probabilistic genotyping software and laboratory information management system?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

Have you been trained in RMP and CPI/CPE statistical calculations?

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

Have you been trained in likelihood ratios?

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

Do you have experience using JusticeTrax LIMS during casework, and/or statistics/metrics customization of turnaround times, etc?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Do you have experience with Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

Do you have experience with YSTRs?

• Yes
• No
  
  

13

By answering yes to this question, I acknowledge that I have read and understand CSPD's Marijuana Use Policy, which can be found on CSPD's website https://coloradosprings.gov/police-department/page/marijuana-use

• Yes
• No
  
  

Required Question

Employer City of Colorado Springs

Address 30 South Nevada Avenue, Suite 301

Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903

Phone 719-385-5171

Website http://www.coloradosprings.gov