If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Department of Public Safety

Job Class Code: 7043
Grade: 18/Professional & Technical
Salary: $19.88-$27.67/Hour (*Salary includes a 4.5% Recruitment & Retention Stipend)
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: March 20, 2026

Closing Date: April 3, 2026

The State Police Crime Laboratory has three Forensic Chemist Technicians to handle an array of duties and responsibilities essential to lab operations and its mission. This is technical services work involving the examination and testing of physical evidence collected in connection with criminal investigations. Work includes examining and identifying certain types of physical evidence through the use of chemical, physical, and biological tests and procedures; and preparing samples for analysis by forensic scientists. Work is performed under general supervision.
A successful candidate will be able to work with other lab scientists, lab partners including, but not limited to, Federal, State, County and Municipal law enforcement professionals, other crime laboratories, accredited vendors, healthcare providers, elected officials, and an array of community resource groups.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Prepares samples and performs microscopic and chemical examinations of trace evidence in order to assist forensic scientists in the identification and characterization of hair, fiber, paint, glass, and gunshot residue samples.
• Prepares samples of blood and other body fluids for storage and/or further analysis in order to preserve specimens and assist forensic scientists in the conduct of complex laboratory tests.
• Assists in the processing of crime scenes and vehicles in order to identify and seize physical evidence.
• Packages, marks, receives, and returns physical evidence in order to maintain continuity and integrity of the evidence.
• Instructs and lectures to various groups on forensic laboratory tests and procedures in order to provide information.
• Testifies in court in order to establish continuity of evidence.
• Maintains laboratory safety and cleanliness standards in order to assure worker safety and required testing environment.
• Maintains scientific notebooks and instrument logs in order to record work performed and results obtained.
• Writes and maintains a variety of laboratory records to document information for future reference and retrieval.
• Monitors stock levels of reagents, chemicals, and unit supplies and requests reorders to ensure sufficient supplies/materials to perform required testing and lab services.
• Acts as the lab’s LIMS Administrator
• Responsible for evidence reconciliations
• This position will report to the lab’s section supervisor in the discipline assigned.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of basic principles of chemistry, biology, and serology.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory techniques, instruments, equipment, and terminology.
• Knowledge of forensic laboratory operations.
• Knowledge of State Police and FBI evidence collection, packaging, and preservation techniques and procedures.
• Ability to prepare samples of blood, body fluids, and trace evidence for examination and storage.
• Ability to perform chemical, immunological, and grouping serological tests of blood and body fluids.
• Ability to perform microscopic and chemical examinations of trace evidence.
• Ability to maintain laboratory records.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to instruct in forensic laboratory subjects.

Minimum qualifications:

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Preference to applicants with professional laboratory experience

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Lt. Michael Zabarsky 207-624-7100

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.91% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.