This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:
8/11/26, 8/25/26 (final)
Level 1 - $6211.80 - $7551.58/month
Level 2 - $8294.58 - $10081.58/month
Level 3 - $10333.83 - $12561.08/month
Level 4 - $10862.83 - $13203.12/month
Incumbents in this class conduct forensic laboratory analyses of physical evidence, evaluate technical data, investigate crime scenes, prepare evidentiary reports, and testify in court as an expert witness on the subjects of forensic analyses and crime scene investigation.
Knowledge of
- Principles, methods, materials, standards, practices, equipment, and techniques of forensic science
- Principles of chemistry, physics, biochemistry, physiology, zoology, botany, statistics, and photography as related to forensic science
- Common types of evidence, such as narcotics, poisons, trace, firearms, and bodily fluids
- Applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to evidence, criminal procedure, and crimes
- Laboratory safety
- English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Principles of effective customer service
Ability to
- Perform a variety of difficult chemical, instrumental, and other complex laboratory analyses
- Safely operate laboratory equipment and tools, such as microscopes, stereoscopes, centrifuges, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers, and DNA extraction robots
- Interpret federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to physical evidence
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with those encountered during the course of work
- Promote and enforce safe work practices and handling of hazardous substances
- Prepare and analyze complex reports and correspondence
- Testify in court
- Adhere to established code of ethics
- Handle exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
- Effectively organize and prioritize work assignments
- Keep accurate and orderly records
- Maintain confidential information
- Adhere to all safety practices and procedures
Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, pharmacology, biology, microbiology, criminalistics/forensic science (with emphasis in a natural or physical science), or a closely related scientific field. Coursework must have included successful completion of 8 semester / 12 quarter units of general chemistry or biology.
Note: A master’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a closely related scientific field may be substituted for one year of required experience for levels II - IV.
Note:If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.
Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.
General Qualifications
Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedures and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.
The County may also conduct a background check on candidates prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.
Driver's License: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, shall be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.
Physical Requirements: All positions in this class require the incumbent(s) to be able to:
- Stand, walk, and/or sit for long periods of time, such as while conducting analysis in the laboratory or processing a crime scene
- Move with sufficient personal agility to collect and process evidence at a variety of crime scenes, such as clandestine drug laboratories, automobiles, trash bins, etc.
- Possess sufficient manual dexterity to manipulate and operate laboratory equipment
- Lift and transport items weighing up to 50 pounds, such as bags and/or boxes of evidence
- Visually distinguish color, shape, size, number, and picture resolution quality
Working Conditions:
- Incumbents are required to withstand exposure to disagreeable elements such as extreme weather conditions, malodorous and/or decomposing samples, blood, bodily fluids, etc.
- Incumbents may be required to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends at various locations as necessary.
Individuals who are unable to meet a stated requirement due to a qualifying circumstance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Competency / Proficiency Testing:
- Incumbents are required to successfully complete competency testing prior to beginning casework in a new core or sub-discipline.
- Incumbents are required to successfully complete annual Proficiency Testing as required by the Laboratory’s accrediting body.
Probationary Period
The probationary period for this classification is
twelve (12) months.
APPLICATION
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date.
County of Sacramento
Department of Personnel Services
Employment Services Division
700 H Street, Room 4667
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service
Email [email protected]
Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667
www.SacCountyJobs.net
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Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
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Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
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Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
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Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
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A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.
Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
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Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
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The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
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Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
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If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
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Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
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If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
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For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
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If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate's application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate's responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.
FORMULA RATE EXAMINATION (Weighted 100%)
All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications by the cut-off date will have their Supplemental Questionnaire scored in the Formula Rate Examination.
This examination will evaluate the relevance, level, recency, progression and quality of candidate's education, training and experience. The candidate's application or other materials will not be included in this examination. Therefore, the candidate's responses to the supplemental questionnaire should be thorough, detailed and complete. The score from the Formula Rate Examination will determine the ranking on the eligible/employment list for this job.
All candidates competing in the testing process will receive written notice of their examination results by email. Notices can also be accessed in their governmentjobs.com inbox. Applicants achieving a passing score will be placed on the eligible list in rank order. The rank is determined by the test score attained from the examination.
