Forensic Manager
Description:
Salary : $87,370.44 Annually
Location : Tallahassee, FL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FM-01
Department: Law Enforcement
Division: Criminal Investigations
Opening Date: 01/27/2026
Closing Date: 2/10/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
General Description of Duties
This position performs supervisory-level duties in direct support of the agency's forensic operations. Primary responsibilities include managing and overseeing the Latent Fingerprint Supervisor and all forensic civilian personnel, ensuring the accuracy, quality, and integrity of forensic work products. The incumbent provides technical guidance, direction, and leadership to the Forensic Unit while ensuring compliance with established policies, procedures, and professional standards.
This position is required to be on call for forensic-related emergencies and critical incidents, which may require extended work hours beyond the regular schedule. The incumbent must uphold the agency's core values of honesty and integrity, accountability, teamwork, trust and respect, and a commitment to excellence in all forensic functions.
Successful performance in this role requires demonstrated competency in forensic data entry and retrieval, evidence tracking and documentation, time management, and basic to intermediate computer applications commonly used in forensic operations. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, along with effective interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving abilities. The position requires a high level of self-motivation, discretion, attention to detail, sound judgment, and adherence to ethical standards when performing forensic-related duties.
A starting salary above the minimum may be considered for exceptionally well-qualified candidates.
Essential Duties
Supervise the Crime Scene Unit day-to-day operations and the personnel assigned to the Unit.
Direct and review the casework of crime scene Forensic Specialist, who identify, collect, preserve, package, document, and present biological evidence, latent fingerprints, tire impressions, shoe impressions, tool marks, and other physical evidence.
Direct and oversee the Latent Examiner Supervisor who is responsible for Sex Offender/Predator Registrations, Criminal Registrations, and general fingerprinting for citizens and job applicants.
Responding to homicides, suspicions, deaths, and any high priority call out, during work hours and after hours.
Oversee and assigning processing of evidence in the Crime Scene Lab to develop and preserve evidence.
Perform examinations and analysis of physical evidence for the purpose of scientific conclusion and identification.
Maintain schedule flexibility to respond, when needed, to after-hour events or law enforcement activities.
Examination of evidence for latent prints or biological materials possibly using chemical processes.
Scheduling, instructing, planning while maintaining industry standards, assigning personnel and conducting evaluations.
Write and review Crime Scene reports and supplements.
Maintain the proper chain of custody on evidence and proper packaging to preserve and prevent contamination of evidence.
Testify in court as a witness and provide guidance to staff in connection with the scenes processed and evidence recovered and preserved.
Review, develop, or modify work plans, methods, and procedures.
Determine work priorities and develop work schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage.
Provide work instructions and assist employees with difficult or unusual assignments.
Assign processing cases, review work for accuracy and completeness, and return assignments for proper completion.
Conduct hiring interviews and select candidate(s) for job openings(s).
Resolve problems and mediate conflicts encountered during daily operations and determine appropriate solutions.
Promote teamwork and include involvement/input with procedures.
Encourage open and regular communication and inform staff of relevant business issues and their impact on the organization and unit.
Encourage and guide team members towards goals, decision making and encourage participation in decisions which involve/affect their job duties.
Respond to formal and informal employee grievances and prepare written responses.
Participate in classes, seminars and conferences related to the job assignment and expertise.
The ability to coordinate and stay updated on multiple crimes scenes at once.
The ability to preserve physical evidence and identification data.
The ability to supervise and train personnel.
The ability to establish and maintain attendance and leave.
The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
The ability to provide testimony in court proceedings.
The ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
The ability to learn and retain knowledge of the Leon County Sheriff's Office policies and procedures, laboratory procedures, and the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
The ability to coordinate repairs, preventative maintenance, and calibration of equipment.
The ability to perform essential functions in a crime laboratory environment while potentially exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, temperature extremes, fumes, machinery, electric currents, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, explosive and repetitive wrist motion.
The ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Eligibility Criteria
Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science, one of the physical or natural sciences, or a related field required; AND
Minimum of eight (8) years of professional or technical experience, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience, in forensic analysis or crime scene investigation. This experience must include the collection and preservation of physical evidence, photography, and/or fingerprint identification or classification with an accredited law enforcement agency OR
Equivalent combination of education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
Must maintain a primary residence within Leon County or a county adjacent to Leon (Wakulla, Liberty, Gadsden, and Jefferson Counties in Florida, Thomas and Grady Counties in Georgia).
Must be able to obtain D.A.V.I.D certification within 30 days of hire.
Must be able to obtain NCIC/FCIC certification within 30 days of hire.
Certifications in an advanced forensic science technique such as:
Buried Bodies and Surface Skeletons: Recovery Techniques
Bloodstain Interpretation
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Crime Scene Reconstruction
Shooting Reconstruction
Latent Print Examiner
Alternate Light Source - Exposure to
Footwear and Tire Tread
NIBIN Certification
Necessary Special Requirements
Knowledge of the procedural methods used in collecting, analyzing, and preserving physical evidence and the use of such evidence in establishing guilt.
Knowledge of crime scene procedures to include photography.
Knowledge of standard fingerprint classification practices, purposes, methods, records, and equipment used in identifying persons.
Knowledge of laboratory techniques in the performance of chemical and microscopic examinations.
Knowledge of each of the various disciplines.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of quality assurance and quality control.
Knowledge of budgeting and purchasing procedures.
Other Necessary Requirements
Must be able to lift, push, carry or pull a minimum of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of move objects 100 pounds of force occasionally.
Position requires task be regularly performed inside and/or outside with potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils and other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances, inadequate lighting, and work space restrictions.
Full-time benefits include:
Health insurance with an employer contribution between 77.5% - 87.5%.
Life insurance equal to 1 X annual salary paid 100% by LCSO.
Retirement via the Florida Retirement System with a choice of pension or investment plan.
Paid vacation, sick and personal leaves.
Tuition Assistance Program for advanced degrees.
Education incentive for advanced degrees (only sworn positions).
Other ancillary benefits including but not limited to deferred compensation, dental/vision insurance, cafeteria savings plan, short/long term disability and identity theft protection.
01
Which best describes your level of education?
Some High School
High School Diploma/GED
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate Degree
02
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in forensic science, one of the physical or natural sciences, or a related field?
Yes, Bachelor's Degree is in forensic science, one of the physical or natural sciences, or a related field.
Yes, Master's Degree or higher is in forensic science, one of the physical or natural sciences, or a related field.
No, Bachelor's Degree or higher is in another field.
High School Diploma or A.A. Degree only.
03
Please indicate your level of professional or technical experience in forensic analysis or crime scene investigation that includes the collection and preservation of physical evidence, photography, and/or fingerprint identification or classification with an accredited law enforcement agency.
No experience.
1-2 years.
3-4 years.
5-7 years.
8 or more years.
04
Please indicate your supervisory experience in forensic analysis or crime scene investigation.
No experience.
1 year or less.
2-3 years.
4-5 years.
6 or more years.
05
Please indicate any certifications in an advanced forensic science technique such as: Buried Bodies and Surface Skeletons: Recovery Techniques, Bloodstain Interpretation, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Shooting Reconstruction, Latent Print Examiner, Alternate Light Source - Exposure to, Footwear and Tire Tread, and NIBIN certification.
No certifications.
Certified in another advanced forensic science technique that's not listed.
Yes, certified in one or more of the listed advanced forensic science techniques.
06
Salary anticipated to be at base pay. If not acceptable to you, what minimum annual salary would be acceptable?
07
Have you ever received a dishonorable discharge from the military?
Yes
No
Never served in military.
Currently serving in military/No discharge.
08
Have you ever been convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony?
Yes
No
09
Are you currently under criminal investigation or indictment?
Yes
No
10
Do you have any current criminal charges pending in the courts (without an official legal disposition)?
Yes
No
11
Are you currently under internal investigation, under investigation by the CJSTC or administrative investigation?
Yes
No
12
Have you ever separated, abandoned, resigned or retired from a business or agency while under criminal or internal investigation or while under the threat of criminal or internal investigation?
Yes
No
13
Have you been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in or attempted to engage in sexual activity in the community or detentions facility by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse?
Yes
No
14
Have you ever been convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime involving perjury or false statement, abuse of a child, elderly, or disabled person, domestic violence, or any crime of a sexual nature?
Yes
No
15
Have you ever been engaged in, convicted of, received a withhold of adjudication for, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime of sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution?
Yes
No
16
Have you ever held membership in, association with, or any other connection to any organization that exposes or supports discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation or marital status or is known to have been involved in criminal activity and/or a violation of any state laws and/or laws of the United States?
Yes
No
17
When would you estimate was your last use of marijuana.
0 - 12 months (within the last year)
13 - 36 months (3 years or less)
37 - 60 months (more than 3 years ago to 5 years)
61 - 120 months (more than 5 years to 10 years ago)
10+ (more than 10 years ago)
Never used
18
When was the last time you used any of the following - heroin, cocaine, meth, mushrooms, LSD, illegal steroids or other drugs not prescribed to you?
0 - 12 months (last year)
13 - 36 months (3 years or less)
37 - 60 months (more than 3 years to five years ago)
61 - 120 months (more than 5 years to 10 years ago)
10+ years ago
Never used
Required Question