Federal

Forensic Examiner

U.S. Courts Β· Judicial Branch
πŸ“ Saint Louis, Missouri CL-26/27 $55,752 - $99,561/yr
Posted: May 6, 2026 Deadline: May 5, 2027 (Closes in 351 days)

About This Position

The United States Probation Office, United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri is accepting applications for the position of Forensic Examiner. The position(s) may be located in the St. Louis office with full responsibility to the divisional office as well. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of the latest forensic examination techniques technology hardware and software tools and their design. Knowledge of telephone and wireless systems. Skilled with various digital technologies, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, digital storage devices, GPS, IoT and gaming systems.

Be able to perform basic routine disassembly of desktop and laptop computer, phones, and tablets. Ability to image digital equipment in a forensically sound manner. Ability to conduct thorough investigations into possible criminal conduct and document findings.

Able to document the steps of an examination and a detailed analysis of your findings. Three years specialized experience, and completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as digital forensics, computer science and criminal justice, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and investigative skills involved in the position. Prior Forensic Examiner experience required.

Law Enforcement Forensic examiner experience preferred. Certifications from the FBI CART, US Postal Service, National White-Collar Crimes, Secret Service is also preferred.

Major Duties

Conducts forensic examinations of digital related evidence using established policies, procedures, and precedent techniques. Examination can include, but are not limited to: financial, terrorist, and sexually explicit material cases. Confers with the Supervisory Probation Officer about policies and procedures in relation to digital related evidence.

Responsible for training employees in this Court and across the nation on forensic related procedures. This includes the proper evidence collection, handling, and chain of custody methods either via video, teleconference, or in-person. Receives evidence from other districts, checking items into custody, logging the items received, and initiating the case within the case management software.

This would include data entry into SIRS and PACTS to ensure proper credit is received for each examination. Collects and prepares digital evidence for forensic examination. May be required to testify in legal proceedings as to the procedures and methods used to obtain data, as well as to the findings of the examination.

Develops, prepares, and presents reports of findings of forensic examinations. Responsible for verification of forensics tools validation. Coordinates the maintenance, security and troubleshooting on all hardware and software for forensic tools.

Identifies, diagnoses, and corrects errors and problems. Assists in developing new procedures and policies for the forensic lab and the districts served. Responsible for initial scan and installation of monitoring software on offender's electronic devices.

Prepare and maintain documentation and standard operating procedures and checklists for end users and other technicians. Conducts the semi-annual inventories on all evidence maintained in the forensic lab. Tracks evidence to determine if the forensic lab needs to maintain it for evidentiary reasons.

Responsible for the disposing of all evidence which is no longer needed for evidentiary reasons. Responsible for ensuring the evidence is appropriately removed from the evidence tracking software. Maintains contact with the forensic community for the purpose of keeping abreast of developments, techniques, and user programs.

Recommend hardware, equipment, and software updates. Provide related duties, as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants considered for the position will be required to undergo a background investigation which includes an FBI fingerprint check, as the position involves handling of confidential or highly sensitive information. The selectee may be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon favorable suitability determination of the background investigation.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Clerk of Court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without re-posting the position.

Employees are required to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct, which is available to applicants for review upon request.

Additional Information

Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests. Citizenship-Requirements-Employment-Judiciary https://www.moed.uscourts.gov/sites/moed/files/Citizenship-Requirements-Employment-Judiciary.pdf Learn More About Judiciary Policies, https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies The organization reserves the right to assign and/or reassign an employee to any location within the district based on the needs of the organization.

How to Apply

Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests. Citizenship-Requirements-Employment-Judiciary.pdf Learn More About Judiciary Policies Judiciary Policies Please e-mail a detailed resume, reference FE-0426, completed application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (Form AO-78, which can be found on www.uscourts.gov to: [email protected]. Qualified persons are invited to submit: cover letter current résumé, completed application for judicial branch employment, form AO-78 (available at http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/AO078.pdf) contact information for three professional references

Required Documents

Cover letter Current resume Contacts for 3 Professional References AO 78 Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment* found here, https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Forensic Examiner position at U.S. Courts?
The salary range for this position is $55,752 - $99,561/yr. This is a CL-26/27 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Forensic Examiner job located?
This position is located in Saint Louis, Missouri. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Thorough knowledge of the latest forensic examination techniques technology hardware and software tools and their design. Knowledge of telephone and wireless systems. Skilled with various digital technologies, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, digital storage devices, GPS, IoT and gaming systems. Be able to perform basic routine disassembly of desktop and laptop computer, phones, and tablets. Ability to image digital equipment in a forensically sound manner. Ability to conduct thorough investigations into possible criminal conduct and document findings. Able to document the steps of an examination and a detailed analysis of your findings. Three years specialized experience, and completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as digital forensics, computer science and criminal justice, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and investigative skills involved in the position. Prior Forensic Examiner experience required. Law Enforcement Forensic examiner experience preferred. Certifications from the FBI CART, US Postal Service, National White-Collar Crimes, Secret Service is also preferred.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is May 5, 2027.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.