Date Opened: Monday, July 06, 2026 12:00 AM
Close Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026 12:00 AM
Department: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Salary: $24.00 - $33.5 Commensurate with Experience
Welcome to the City of Charlotte
Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.
Our guiding principles include:
Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions
The Crime Scene Technician position requires the individual to process crime scenes to include the search and recovery of latent finger and palm prints, trace, DNA and other physical evidence. This position also takes photographs, prepares sketches and documents the search and collection for physical evidence. Must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, and report to work during emergency and disaster events including inclement weather.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
-
Combines Science, Technology, and expertise to analyze/investigate all property crime types, violent and complex crime scenes in a systematic and legal manner with the goal of the identification, documentation, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.
-
Documents crime scenes/evidence through basic, advanced/manual (ALS and Bluestar), macro, and 1:1 examination quality photography technique.
-
Completes hand drawn sketches/diagrams.
-
Prepares detailed and accurate crime scene reports which will be utilized by officers/detectives to assist with Criminal Investigations and in court testimony.
-
Latent Print Processing – Evaluates and processes scenes and diverse items and surfaces for latent fingerprints/shoeprints, or other types of pattern evidence.
-
Analyzes the scene to identify, process and collect touch DNA, blood evidence, seminal or other biological fluid evidence. Uses specialized equipment and procedures to determine the presence of blood, seminal fluids/body fluids, hair, fibers, gunshot residue and other trace evidence and materials.
-
Responsible for basic scene reconstruction of trajectory pathways on shooting investigations.
-
Prepares and packages evidence maintaining its integrity and chain of custody for storage and further processing by the Crime Lab.
-
Processes living victims, witnesses, and suspects to document injuries/lack of injuries, and identify, document, and collect any relevant evidence found
-
Maintains issued equipment and follows safety protocols at crime scenes
-
Conducts training of new employees and other police department employees as needed. Provides demonstrations to outside entities as requested
-
Renders credible expert testimony in Local and Federal court (a court of law) regarding crime scene processing techniques utilized, the methodology of those techniques, and the methodology of evidence collection and preservation.
-
Responsible for the proper use, maintenance, necessary replacement, and security of all personally issued and shared equipment and keeps the equipment in operational readiness.
-
Responsible for the proper documentation, routing and dissemination of all messages and information as received.
-
Works with decomposing corpses, body fluids, contagious diseases, hazardous materials, heavy objects, standard and unique equipment, and tools
-
Must have the ability to process crime scenes any time of the day and in all types of weather conditions.
-
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
-
High School graduate or equivalent with three (3) years related work experience
- OR Associate’s Degree and one (1) year of related work experience
Preferred Qualifications:
-
A two (2) year degree in forensic science, related natural/ physical science, or criminal justice and two years relevant work experience as a crime scene investigator, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential job duties may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
-
OR A four (4) year degree in forensic science, related natural/ physical science or criminal justice.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
-
Possesses scientific proficiency in multiple disciplines, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics
-
Keen observational skills and an eye for minute detail
-
Knowledge of principles, methods, equipment and current techniques used in crime scene investigations and forensics
-
Knowledge of investigative and laboratory techniques
-
Ability to develop thorough knowledge of evidence chain of custody procedures and requirements Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, and agency practices and procedures
-
Ability to exercise initiative and consistently use independent sound judgment and discretion in the handling of sensitive and unique situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems
-
Ability to work in often stressful, fast-paced environment. Ability to cope, maintain composure, and work effectively when dealing with difficult and traumatic scenes
-
Superior organizational and time management skills and the ability to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions
-
Ability to be adaptable and innovative with problem solving and general crime scene processing
-
Possesses Analytical sensibilities, excellent critical thinking skills, active listening/active learning abilities Ability to follow oral and written procedures and policies
-
Ability to read and comprehend authoritative directives, laws, and ordinances
ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Physical Requirements:
-
Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time.
-
Some crouching, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crawling, reaching, twisting, turning, bending, climbing, pushing, pulling when in the performance of daily activities.
-
The nature of the work requires incumbents to use ladders and be able to climb steps, stairs, and ladders while carrying necessary equipment.
-
Light to moderate lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.
-
Manual dexterity and excellent hand/eye coordination.
Sensory Requirements:
-
Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proofreading, data entry, tabulating data.
-
Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain.
-
Comprehend written information in work-related documents.
-
Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech.
Working Conditions:
-
All types of Indoor and outdoor environments.
-
Works under unfavorable conditions including exposure to extreme heat or cold, rain, humidity, other harsh weather conditions, unpleasant odors, inadequate or no lighting, loud noises and vibrations.
-
May require work in confined and precarious places with movement restrictions, heights, unstable footing, roof tops, streams/ponds, and other various terrains.
-
Frequent exposure to blood borne pathogens, chemicals, allergenic substances, narcotics, mold, fumes of decomposing human remains, and other health hazards.
-
Regularly handles and packages biohazardous fluids and materials.
-
Diligent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to limit exposure to bloodborne pathogens is required.
-
Exposure to disruptive people or a threatening environment.
Other Requirements:
Successfully complete and pass applicable pre-employment evaluation(s). Failure to successfully pass all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this vacancy announcement.
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.
Our culture is to serve the community honorably.
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]
The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
