Chemistry Technician

Salary: $40,685.00 - $60,714.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-52175-15110
Department: Pennsylvania State Police
Division: SP Harrisburg Rgnl Lab
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: 7/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 15110
Position Number: 00262982
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B1
Pay Group: ST04
Bureau / Division Code: 00209364
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Forensic Services / Harrisburg Regional Laboratory
Worksite Address: 1800 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: PSP Human Resource Civilian Placement
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION


Are you ready to put your technical expertise and analytical skills to work in a career that helps uphold the integrity and reliability of forensic science? As a Chemistry Technician with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), you will have the chance to grow your abilities while supporting a mission built on public service and accountability. This role helps you build practical laboratory experience that strengthens your technical foundation. Your work will play an important part that supports the PSP core values and advances scientific excellence. Apply today for this meaningful opportunity to support important public safety goals through science and service.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports laboratory functions that ensure accurate scientific preparation, evidence handling, and instrument upkeep. The role helps maintain smooth daily operations that support forensic work across the Bureau of Forensic Services. As a Chemistry Technician, you will perform the following duties:

• Reagent Preparation: Prepare analytical reagents, standard solutions, clean glassware, and perform quality assurance tests
• Evidence Handling: Assist with receiving, storing, transferring, and returning physical evidence and communicate with submitting agencies
• Instrument Support: Calibrate, clean, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment
• Technical Assistance: Provide support to forensic scientists during bench analysis and routine lab procedures
• Inventory Control: Manage laboratory supplies, maintain Safety Data Sheet (SDS) files, and oversee library reference materials
• Record Management: Prepare and archive laboratory case records and documentation

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Completion of 60 college credits including nine credits in chemistry.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our


Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01


Have you completed 60 or more college credits? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

02


Have you completed nine or more college credits in chemistry? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

03


If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please list the course name and credits earned for each chemistry course you completed to meet the required nine credits.
04


You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your educational background to the position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each category carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of education. List the training source(s) from your education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the education information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

05



WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PREPARES SAMPLES, REAGENTS, AND STANDARDS FOR GRAVIMETRIC SOLUTIONS
Weighs and prepares samples for analysis by physical alteration methods and standard bench techniques such as drying, crushing and grinding or by chemical alteration methods such as combining the sample with a reagent. Prepares potentially bio-hazardous samples using appropriate universal precautions. Prepares reagents such as percent solutions, molar solutions, stains or spray reagents used to isolate the substance of interest from samples so the desired chemical test can be performed. Prepares standards for gravimetric solutions which act as criterion against which the samples can be compared. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to claim credit for it.

• A. I have successfully completed 2 college chemistry courses with labs and at least one additional chemistry course, with or without a lab, totaling more than 9 college credits in Chemistry.
• B. I have successfully completed 9 college credits in Chemistry related to this work behavior, including 1 credit for a laboratory course.
• C. I have successfully completed 9 college credits in Chemistry related to this work behavior. I have NOT successfully completed any Chemistry laboratory courses.
• D. I have not successfully completed 9 college credits in Chemistry.

06


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

07



WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - CALIBRATES, ADJUSTS, AND USES INSTRUMENTS
Calibrates and adjusts instruments used in preparing samples, performing chemical analysis, and monitoring temperature and gas pressures such as scales, balances, spectrometers, auto analyzers, gas chromatographs, scanning electron microscope, liquid chromatographs and ELISA immunoassay systems in order to ensure proper operation and accurate results of the chemical analysis. Maintains records of calibrations conducted and communicates with staff as to the status. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to claim credit for it.

• A. I have successfully completed Chemistry laboratory coursework in which I used 5 or more of the above listed instruments.
• B. I have successfully completed Chemistry laboratory coursework in which I used 1 to 4 of the above listed instruments.
• C. I have successfully completed coursework in which chemical instrumentation, as listed above, was an integral topic but did NOT provide me with the opportunity to apply the knowledge in a laboratory environment.
• D. I have no education related to this work behavior.

08


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours
4. Instruments Covered

09



WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - CALCULATES DATA
Records the data obtained during testing on a standardized work sheet where any necessary calculation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios, percentages, and standard deviations will be performed (the data may be keyed into a computer which contains a standardized program) and tabulates the results. Tabulates uncertainty of measurement. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to claim credit for it.

• A. I have successfully completed a college-level course in statistics.
• B. I have successfully completed a college-level course in calculus OR I have successfully completed a college-level course in physics.
• C. I have successfully completed a college-level algebra course.
• D. I have no education related to this work behavior.

10


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

11



WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PRACTICES LABORATORY SAFETY
Cleans the work area using a variety of methods such as washing and drying standard bench glassware and equipment in order to satisfy all health, safety, contamination and operating standards established by the agency, or other government or professional organizations. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to claim credit for it.

• A. I have successfully completed a college-level course in which LABORATORY SAFETY WAS AN INTEGRAL TOPIC OR I have completed HazMat Awareness Training in the course of employment or volunteer activities.
• B. I have successfully completed a college-level chemistry LABORATORY course in which we discussed AND APPLIED laboratory safety practices.
• C. I have successfully completed a college-level chemistry LABORATORY course in which we discussed laboratory safety. I did NOT have the opportunity to apply laboratory safety practices in a laboratory environment.
• D. I have no education related to this work behavior.

12


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

13



WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - PRESENTS INFORMATION IN COURT
Follows agency established standard operating procedures for sample receipt, sample log-in, and sample return. Maintains accurate records and presents such information in a court of law as necessary. Communicates with law enforcement agencies relative to submission of evidence. Please note you must have received a passing grade in the course to claim credit for it.

• A. I have engaged in public speaking experience outside of the classroom during the course of my college career, either in an employment setting or through volunteer activities (trainer, debate team, student teaching).
• B. I have completed training or college coursework in Speech, Communications, Public Speaking, Train the Trainer, etc.
• C. I have no training or experience related to this work behavior.

14


If you are claiming public speaking experience through employment or volunteer activities, please provide details about your public speaking experience. Be sure to include the organization Name/address, dates of employment, and average hours per month engaged in public speaking in the text box below. (example: ABC Debate Club/Jan 2, 2018 through March 23, 2018/15 hours per month). If you are not claiming experience related to this work behavior, please type N/A in the box below.
15


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. Was this experience gained during employment or volunteer activities?
2. The type(s) of public speaking you conducted.
3. Your actual duties.

16


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title(s)
3. Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question