Administration & Human Resources
Criminalist II (Forensic Biology)
$81,751 a year
Posted until October 31, 2026 · posted September 24, 2026
Requirements
Other requirements
Exam
Non-competitive title
A job title where a competitive exam is not practical, so the agency checks that your qualifications meet the standard instead. You apply directly. On our job pages this shows as "No exam for this title".
≈ $39.30 an hour · $3,144 every 2 weeks, before taxes (40-hour weeks).
NYC minimum wage is $17/hr. This beats it by $22.30/hr, with health insurance and a pension on top.
What you'd have made
$3,134 If you'd started this job 2 weeks ago, at this pay, before taxes.
An hour of this job pays for about 13.1 subway rides ($3 fare).
Price anything in hours of this job
Overtime added $6,966 on average that year, and it isn't guaranteed. Base salary of active employees paid a yearly rate, fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 to June 2025). Source: NYC's payroll data
Check yourself
What they actually ask for.
Other requirements: read them on the posting
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology or a closely related scientific or engineering field.
- For Assignment to Assignment Level I - B
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements For All Assignment Levels" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level I-B individuals must have at least one year of satisfactory full-time experience in criminalistics, forensic science or analytic chemistry, or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
Read the rest of the requirements
3. In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" above, to be assigned to Assignment Level II, individuals must have one of the following:
- One year of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B; or
- One additional year of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of two years of such experience; or
- A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling two years of experience as described above.
- In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" for Assignment Level I-B above, to be assigned to Assignment Level III, individuals must have one of the following:
- Two years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B and/or II; or
- Two additional years of qualifying experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of three years of such experience; or
- A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling three years of experience as described above.
5. For Assignment to Assignment Level IV
In addition to meeting the "Qualification Requirements" for Assignment Level I-B above, to be assigned to Assignment Level IV, individuals must have one of the following:
- Three years of experience gained as a Criminalist at Assignment Level I-B, II, and /or III; or
- Three additional years of experience in criminalistics or forensic science, for a total of four years of such experience; or
- A satisfactory combination of education and experience totaling four years of experience, as described above.
Quoted word for word from the official posting. The label above is ours, read from this text; if they disagree, this text wins.
The work
What the job is.
**This is a time-limited, grant funded position that is approved through September 2027. Appointment is contingent upon the availability and continuation of grant funding for the duration of the award. Employment beyond this period is not guaranteed.**
Read the rest, from the posting
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.
The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.
- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs
Under the general direction of the Assistant Directors of the Department of Forensic Biology and specifically under the supervision of a Criminalist IV, the selected candidate will be responsible for assisting in conducting scientific analyses performed on biological specimens brought to the Forensic Biology Department of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York.
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Locates and identifies physiological material during the exam of swabs, sexual assault kits, and evidence items submitted to the Department of Forensic Biology in connection with investigation of cases.
- Ensures integrity of evidence and chain-of-custody forms.
- Complies data and additional paperwork to create a case file.
- Interprets DNA test results.
- Prepares and signs reports which reflect the results of the scientific analyses.
- Prepares, distributes, and/or files scientific results and/or documents to appropriate laboratory staff and/or locations.
- Develop, searches, and submits DNA profiles for database entry.
- Performs technical and administrative review on written report and case file records of administratively closed, negative serology, and negative DNA cases.
- Testifies concerning the results of scientific investigations before grand juries, civil, and criminal jurisdictions.
- Participates in competency testing and proficiency testing programs.
- Participates in quality assurance and quality control programs as described in the manual of the Department of Forensic Biology.
- Participates in all required training programs as determined by QA/QC, training, and supervisory staff.
- Stays abreast of emerging technological advances in areas of expertise.
- Other duties as assigned.
Before you apply
The fine print.
Where you have to live
NYC residency not required
New York City Residency is not required for this position
How to apply, from the posting
TO APPLY, PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO: nyc.gov/ocmecareers JOB ID 802433
Please note that only candidates selected for interview will be contacted for this position.
**FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL**
Sources
Straight from the city.
From the city's job data, which the city last updated September 28, 2026. You apply through the official posting.
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