Sero/ DNA Ops Technician
Salary
Depends on Qualifications
Location
Houston, TX
Job Type
Regular Full-time
Job Number
16687
Department
Institute of Forensic Sciences
Division
Forensic Genetics
Opening Date
05/08/2026
Closing Date
7/1/2026 1:48 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants
200
Position Description
Mission
The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiners and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.
Vision
To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.
The Serology / DNA Operations Technician is an entry-level position that performs serological examination of physical evidence and DNA operations casework, including DNA extraction, quantification, amplification, and data analysis. The Sero/Ops Technician may be called to provide expert testimony in court. This position will provide serological examination primarily for aggravated assault / robbery and property crime cases.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Examines, documents, characterizes, and tests biological evidence submitted for criminal and medicolegal death investigations; operates and maintains laboratory instruments for forensic serology and DNA analysis
Prepares documents that support the resulting analytical findings and provides expert witness testimony in legal proceedings
Maintains at least a minimum level of productivity as determined by Forensic Genetics management
Provides routine maintenance, calibration, quality control, and laboratory housekeeping tasks as needed / assigned.
Follows all safety, quality assurance / quality control, and standard operating procedures, and assist with ensuring the laboratory remains in compliance with ANAB accreditation requirements and the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing
Successfully completes training, competency testing, and proficiency testing program requirements while maintaining American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification, and meeting ANAB, TFSC, and FBI Quality Assurance Standards requirements by attending continuing education / training courses, workshops, seminars, and/or professional meetings
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or related field
Required coursework, in addition to a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college-level statistics course, must comply with the DNA Analyst coursework requirements outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Part 15, Chapter 651, Subchapter C, Rule 651.207
Certifications/Licenses:
Texas Forensic Science Commission licensure required within 1 year of employment
American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification required within 2 years of employment
Maintain a valid Texas Driver's License and maintain ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Additional Requirements:
Must pass criminal background check and drug / alcohol screening (prior to and randomly during employment)
Must provide a personal DNA sample to be maintained by the Department's Forensic Genetics Division for quality assurance purposes
As a public servant, this employee is expected to adequately prepare for court testimony in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Subpoenas and court orders related to cases worked by the employee shall be followed, even post-employment. The duty to adequately communicate with attorneys and prepare for testimony, which includes a review of the applicable case records, is still expected post-employment
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Visual acuity sufficient to perceive minute differences and details and to withstand the strain of continued close work; and manual dexterity sufficient to conduct laboratory tasks as needed
Strong written and oral communication skills with effective organization and time management skills
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Experience:
General Information
Work Location:
Work Schedule:
Full time
40 hours per week
Monday - Friday, in office
Weekends and evening shifts may be necessary
Must be available to work during severe weather events or other emergencies if needed
Work Environment:
Potential Exposures:
Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals
May come in contact with blood and/or blood borne pathogens
Physical Demands:
Reporting Relationships:
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Retirement Savings Benefit
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.
02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?
03
Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.
04
Have you completed a 3-semester credit hour (or equivalent) college-level statistics course?
05
Do you have experience in a scientific laboratory?
06
Please provide details about your verifiable experience in a scientific laboratory. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history) If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
07
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.
08
This role requires a Valid Drivers License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Drivers License?
Required Question
Employer Harris County
Address 1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone 713-274-5445
Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx