Digital Forensics Analyst
City of Hickory
Hickory, NC
The Role
This position sits within a law enforcement forensics unit, supporting criminal investigations through the acquisition, preservation, and analysis of digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, and storage media. Responsibilities include maintaining chain of custody, preparing technical reports, assisting with court testimony, and attending scenes to collect evidence.
Skills & Experience
An associate’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline is required, alongside at least one certification such as ACE, CCPA, CASA, or CompTIA A+/Network+. Proficiency with tools such as FTK, X-Ways, Axiom, or PRTK is expected, along with solid knowledge of Windows, Linux, and common file systems.
Who It Suits
This role suits an early-career digital forensics professional comfortable working within a structured public-sector environment alongside investigators and legal teams. Those with an interest in mobile forensics, call data record analysis, or video forensics will find opportunities to develop those specialisms further within an established unit.
Typical advertised salary for Digital Forensics roles in United States: $90,000–$154,000 (median $120,000 — from 170 recent listings analysed by Forensic Focus).
Compare Digital Forensics salaries in United States →
Certifications mentioned: CCPA — find training for these on the DFIR Training Finder.
