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Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens!
Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career! 

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Job Requisition ID:

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Compensation Details:

Job Description:

THIS A SENSITIVE GOVERNMENT POSITION

Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.

The Division of Forensic Sciences within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill Crime Lab Scientist vacancies in the Chemistry Department. Applicants selected for employment will be offered a position at the following crime laboratories as the final work location:

GBI Headquarters Laboratory located in Decatur, GA

Central Lab located in Dry Branch, GA

Coastal Lab located in Pooler, GA

Eastern Lab located in Augusta, GA

Western Lab located in Midland, GA  

Northeastern Lab located in Cleveland, GA

Southwestern Lab located in Moultrie, GA

Applicants must select their geographic location preference(s) by answering the supplemental questions during the application process if applicable. Applicants may also be given an opportunity to select their geographic location preference(s) at the time of interview. THE 12 MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM MAY BE HELD AT A LAB OUTSIDE OF THE FINAL WORK LOCATION.

PLEASE NOTE:

Some positions/locations listed in this announcement are not currently open. However, we are building a pool of qualified applicants. Apply now to be considered when opportunities become available. 

• TESTING WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL TO SCHEDULE A TEST APPOINTMENT.

• IN PERSON INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH AT THE GBI HEADQUARTERS, LOCATED AT: 3121 PANTHERSVILLE ROAD, DECATUR, GA 30034. Headquarters, Decatur, GA

All applicants must download (right click to save), complete, and upload the Pre-employment Questionnaire. Failure to complete and upload the Pre-employment Questionnaire will result in your application being rejected. Click the following link to download the questionnaire.  Pre-employment Questionnaire.   

Only qualified applicants who complete and submit the State of Georgia application and Pre-employment Questionnaire will receive email notification with a link to schedule a test appointment. The notification will consist of the link to schedule a test appointment and times.

*APPLICANTS GRADUATING IN DECEMBER 2026 ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

VACANCY OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS

Job Duties:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under immediate or limited supervision perform laboratory examinations, scientific analysis and comparisons on physical evidence submitted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for investigative and legal purposes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collect, identify, classify and analyze physical evidence.
• Document Findings
• Testify in court
• Perform repetitive movement
• Stand or sit for long periods of time
• Use highly technical equipment
• Work assigned hours

Chemistry Section

The primary function of the Chemistry Section is to analyze items of evidence in order to determine the presence or absence of controlled substances.  Chemists analyze suspected drugs and fire debris, provide expert testimony to the courts, supply the courts and other state agencies with factual drug information, and provide information to the general public and news media about drug abuse. Additionally, a team of scientists is trained to assist police officers in clandestine laboratory seizures as well as educate law enforcement.

For additional information on the Chemistry Evidence Section, please visit the GBI Website.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in a natural, physical, or forensic science from an accredited college or university with the successful completion of at least at least 32 semester (or 48 quarter) hours of CHEMISTRY coursework.

 * Successful completion is considered a "C" or better in coursework. 

YOU MUST UPLOAD A COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT WITH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION! 

* TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE IN A WORD DOCUMENT OR PDF. 

NO PHOTOS, JPEG FILES, OR SCREENSHOTS ALLOWED!  

Transcripts can be unofficial for the application process. If currently enrolled in college, your transcript should include all courses that you are currently enrolled in.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent will occasionally be required to stand; walk; reach, carry with hands and arms; stoop and kneel. Frequent light lifting and/or moving 10lbs. of evidence kits or supplies unassisted is required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

These positions require the incumbent to work in a laboratory setting which includes shared office space with other Crime Lab personnel. These positions must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when working in the laboratory to include lab coat, gloves, face mask and protective eye wear. PPE will be provided.

NOTE: This position will require some travel and operating a state vehicle for court. A valid Georgia driver’s license is required.

Supplemental Information:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND ENSURE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE STEPS BELOW. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.

•  Uploaded transcripts and any required course content(s) when completing the application. TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE IN A WORD DOCUMENT OR PDF FORMAT. NO PHOTOS, JPEG FILES, OR SCREENSHOTS ALLOWED. 
• Uploaded A COMPLETED Pre-employment Questionnaire with the State of Georgia Application.
• Selected the preferred lab locations.

Supplemental Information:

EXAMINATION SUBJECTS:
The test will be relative to the discipline or position you select. If you apply for multiple disciplines, additional tests may be required.

There are no study materials available for the test. 

The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

• Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification.
• The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI.
• Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment.
• Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S. credit equivalent. Applicants must submit a copy of the credential evaluation as part of the application process. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.
• Due to budget constraints, the GBI is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA®). 

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minimum Qualifications:

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.