Job Description

Salary: $36,624.00 - $57,330.00 Annually
Location : 61 - RANKIN COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9645-0713-20251212RN
Department: 0713 - DPS-DIVISION OF CRIME LABORATORIES
Opening Date: 12/12/2025
Closing Date: 1/27/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $33,600.00
Agency Maximum Salary: $57,330.00
About the Agency: At the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, we are committed to making our state a safer place for all three million residents. Our dedicated team handles essential tasks, such as issuing driver's licenses and firearm permits, patrolling roads and highways, and combating drug trafficking. Additionally, we provide critical training and certification to law enforcement agencies and conduct thorough forensic analyses and investigations. Join us in our mission to enhance safety and security in Mississippi. For inquiries about this position, please reach out to [click to reveal email address] humanresources@dps.ms.gov .
About the Position: This position is with Mississippi Forensic Laboratory, PEARL, MS, in RANKIN COUNTY. This journeyman-level position will serve as a Forensic Toxicologist. This applicant will be responsible for, but not limited to, work that involves planning and executing scientific experiments, receiving physical items as evidence into the lab for processing. Some primary duties of a forensic toxicologist include Traffic-Related/DUI Cases and Beverage Alcohol Analysis.Specimens include (1) Blood, Urine, and Vitreous Fluid, for the determination of alcohol, drugs, or other metabolites that may cause impairment while operating a motor vehicle.Requests are dependent on case information, but include Volatile Analysis, or (1) determination of volatiles such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol and acetone in biological specimens;(2) determination of blood alcohol results within the legal limit and associations involved in a felony, death or serious accident with injuries are then analyzed for any drugs of impairment; and, (3) determination of drugs and metabolites in urine specimens.
What you'll need to be Successful: Critical Thinking; Good Laboratory Practices; Observation and Attention to Detail; Computer Proficiency
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a Bachelor's degree related to forensic, chemical, physical, or biological science and 0-2 years of experience. Specific degree and/or certification requirements based on assigned unit. Agency preferred qualifications: A minimum of 24 credit hours in Chemistry to include Analytical Chemistry or Quantitative Analysis. A comprehensive training program will be required.

No available description
Health/Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits

Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance

All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances

Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts

Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.

Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave

In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays

Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs

The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at
Deferred Compensation

State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union

All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training

The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities

Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders

Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01

How many years of relevant experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of relevant experience.)

• No experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• More than 10 years

02

What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?

• None
• GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
• 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
• 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Required Question

Job Tags

Full time, Flexible hours,

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