If you are interested in a challenging yet rewarding career with the Kentucky State Police where you can make a positive difference in your local community and the state please visit www.careers.ky.gov and search our open opportunities.

Forensic Scientist Positions
BREATH ALCOHOL TECHNICIAN I
Breath Alcohol Technicians play a vital role in this process by installing and performing maintenance and performance checks of electronic breath alcohol testing equipment used in DUI cases. Work is done both in the field and in a laboratory setting. The technician will be assigned to a set, service area throughout KY. Since travel is required, a state vehicle is generally provided. Breath Alcohol Technicians are also expected to testify to the results of their work in court and other legal proceedings.
The training program may include electronic repairs of portable and stationary breath testing equipment used, basic laboratory safety and checks, and testimony and legal proceedings. The training and probationary period is 6 months. The Breath Alcohol Technician I position offers opportunities for promotion to Breath Alcohol Technician II and III after one year and four years of experience plus required certifications.
Breath Alcohol Tech I- $2,339.41
Breath Alcohol Tech II- $2,206.92 Monthly Salary
Breath Alcohol Technician III- $2,427.44 Monthly Salary
- Retirement (KERS)
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation and Sick leave
- Paid leave for voting, blood donation, military and court Holidays
- Compensatory Leave
- *Legal Defense Fund eligibility
- *Mutual Assistance eligibility
- Education:
High School Graduate
- Experience
None
FORENSIC CHEMIST I:
A Forensic Chemist may be hired for Toxicology, Drug Chemistry, or Trace Analysis. Forensic Chemists in Toxicology process blood and urine through a series of chemical and instrumental tests for DUI cases. Forensic Chemists in Drug Chemistry analyze and report results on seized drug evidence using various chemical and instrumental tests. Forensic Chemists in Trace Analysis will be trained to work several different disciplines within the Trace Analysis section. Due to the nature of Trace Analysis, evidence submissions may include items collected in suspected arson cases, hairs, fibers, glass, paint chips, suspected gun-shot residue, and unknown specimens believed to be something other than drugs.
The Forensic Chemist Training Program lasts approximately one year and includes pertinent reading assignments, practical examinations on known specimens, a mock trial for testimony, and a competency test for each discipline for which an analyst works cases. Upon successful completion of the training program, the newly trained analyst will generally process casework under the direction of experienced analysts for a set period of time.
Forensic Chemist I- $3,003.53 Monthly Salary
- Education:
Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry OR forensic science with a concentration or emphasis in chemistry (transcript review must indicate a “concentration in chemistry” or an “emphasis in chemistry”).
- Retirement (KERS)
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation and Sick leave
- Paid leave for voting, blood donation, military and court Holidays
- Compensatory Leave
- *Legal Defense Fund eligibility
- *Mutual Assistance eligibility
FORENSIC FIREARMS & TOOLMARKS EXAMINER I:
Forensic Firearms & Toolmarks Examiners process firearm and impression evidence using comparison microscopy and chemical tests. The Forensic Firearms & Toolmarks Examiners Training Program lasts approximately one year and includes practical examinations, mock trials for testimony, and a competency test prior to beginning casework. The trainee will learn how to perform serial number restorations, muzzle to garment distance determinations, process impressions, and comparisons of bullets and firearms.
Forensic Firearms & Toolmarks Examiner I- $3,003.53 Monthly Salary
- Education:
Forensic Firearms & Toolmarks Examiner I- Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in the physical, biological or forensic sciences, criminal justice, engineering or mathematics.
- Retirement (KERS)
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation and Sick leave
- Paid leave for voting, blood donation, military and court Holidays
- Compensatory Leave
- *Legal Defense Fund eligibility
- *Mutual Assistance eligibility
FORENSIC BIOLOGIST I:
Forensic Biologists will be hired for Serological Analysis, DNA Casework, or DNA Database. Serological analysts screen evidence for the presence of blood, semen, and saliva. If found, the serologist will take a sample and forward it for DNA analysis. DNA Casework analysts will process the positive serological samples for DNA. The DNA Database analyst will process DNA profiles of convicted offenders to be entered into a database which can be searched to link DNA profiles to other crimes providing investigative leads. The training program lasts approximately one year and includes reading assignments, practical examinations, mock trials for testimony, and competency exams.
Forensic Biologist I- $3,003.53 Monthly Salary
- Education:
Forensic Biologist I- Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a biological science, forensic science, or a related science field. In addition, coursework must include 9 hours of Genetics, Molecular or Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry. A Statistics course is preferred, but not required.
- Retirement (KERS)
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation and Sick leave
- Paid leave for voting, blood donation, military and court Holidays
- Compensatory Leave
- *Legal Defense Fund eligibility
- *Mutual Assistance eligibility