CRIMINALIST

CRIMINALIST Print ( Apply ufeff CRIMINALIST Salary $85,178.16 - $108,729.84 Annually Location Los Angeles County, CA Job Type Full time Job Number J4333Q Department SHERIFF Opening Date 02/19/2026 Closing Date 3/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific + Description + Benefits + Questions Position/Program Information TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: We welcome applications from everyone. FILING PERIOD: We will be accepting online applications from Friday, February 20, 2026, at 8:00 A.M. (PT) until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. (PT) All applications must be received before 5:00 P.M. (PT) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, to be accepted. EXAM NUMBER: J4333Q Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits Los Angeles County offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation: Why work for us? With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation As the largest employer in Southern California, over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments, we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more. We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential. CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS Positions allocable to this entry level class typically report to a Supervising Criminalist and work under close supervision and guidance in a forensic science or criminalistics laboratory, receiving work of a progressively responsible nature and of broadening scope where capability develops and complete familiarity with all phases of laboratory analysis is gained. Incumbents in this class are characterized by their participation in an extensive, mandatory in-service training program designed to teach the techniques and procedures used in forensic science or criminalistics laboratories and, through classroom instruction and hands-on training, prepare incumbents for higher-level criminalistics positions. Incumbents are required to respond to crime scenes at any time during their assigned shift, as well as during off-duty hours, and will be required to testify in court regarding their analyses. Upon completion of a one-year probationary period with a rating of competent, incumbents may be assigned to any laboratory section or regional laboratory. Essential Job Functions Performs, under close supervision, physical, biological, and chemical analyses of evidentiary materials such as blood, narcotics, drugs, hairs and fibers, metals, questioned documents, firearms, ammunition, toolmarks, and body tissues and fluids; utilizes microscopic techniques, comparison macrophotography, chromatography, spectroscopy, spectrography, and physical, analytical, and comparison techniques. Prepares written findings and displays for court presentations; testifies in court concerning findings as established by the laboratory analyses and interprets findings as a qualified expert witness. Upon successful completion of training requirements, responds to crime scenes and independently examines, collects, interprets, and preserves physical evidence for analysis and evaluation. Researches technical journals, textbooks, chemical manuals, and other source materials to determine the best methods of performing analytical testing. Participates, as assigned, in conducting research into new methods and procedures of scientific criminal investigation. Requirements REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE A Bachelor's degreefrom an accredited college or university with specialization in criminalistics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field, including eight (8) semester units or twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry. LICENSE A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.Candidates offered this position would be required to show proof of a driver license prior to appointment. Out-of-state applicants must have a valid license from the state in which they reside at the time of filing. Out-of-state applicants will be required to obtain a California Class C Driver License prior to appointment. LICENSE INFORMATION Successful applicants for this position will be required to obtain a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before being appointed. A copy of your driving record must be presented at the time of your appointment. License must not be suspended, restricted, or revoked. AN APPLICANT WHOSE DRIVING RECORD SHOWS THREE (3) OR MORE MOVING VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR WILL NOT BE APPOINTED. OTHER REQUIREMENTS + Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of this classification, with or without a reasonable accommodation. + VISION: Color perception must be adequate to effectively and safely perform essential job-related functions. PHYSICAL CLASS Physical Class III u2013 Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of yourofficial transcriptfrom an accredited institution at the time of filing, or by Thursday, March 19, 2026. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. Applicants with degrees from foreign universities may need to provide an evaluation of U.S. equivalency and official translation of the degree to English. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: and Documentation must be submitted no later than Thursday, March 19, 2026, indicate your name, the exam title, and exam number. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Unofficial transcriptswill notbe accepted to meet the education requirement. APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS BY THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION. SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE As part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The questionnaire contains a pre-investigative questionnaire which will be used as part of the background investigation process to ensure applicants meet the standards set forth by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Applicants who fail the pre-investigative questionnaire will be disqualified and will have to wait three (3) months from the date of the disqualification in order to reapply. Additional Information EXAMINATION CONTENT A computerized multiple-choice test weighted 100% assessing: + Knowledge of Scientific Principles in the Fields of Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and/or Forensics + The Ability to Learn and Apply New Concepts and Information + The Ability to Read, Understand, and Follow Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures + Being Detail-oriented + Being Focused on Generating Accurate and High-Quality Work Product + Time Management Skills + Being Ethical THE COMPUTERIZED MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19. APPLICANTS MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST. TESTING ACCOMMODATION If you require an accommodation to fairly complete any part of the assessment process, you will be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation. Please note, you shall be contacted at a later time by a Sheriffu2019s Department representative that will guide you through the process. You will be provided with an initial deadline to submit documentation. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline will delay your participation in the examination process and consideration for initial placement on the eligible list. TEST PREPARATION DHR provides study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary. + Various information can be found on DHR's website atThe section dedicated to test preparation is

Created: 2026-02-23