Criminalist II-26573703

About the Department

 

Hiring Process and Timeline

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

i. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
ii. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
iii. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

General Option: 

A. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in chemistry, biology, or a closely related field, with completed course work consisting of at least eight (8) semester/twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry; AND

1. Three (3) years of experience as a Criminalist I, including qualified to provide expert testimony through a mock trial/moot court exercise involving casework or equivalent, with the San Diego Sheriff's Crime Laboratory; OR,
2. Three (3) years of comparable, full-time experience from above including qualified to provide expert testimony through a mock trial/moot court exercise involving casework or equivalent.  Experience must include proficiency in at least one (1) of the following areas: 

a) Analysis of solid dose narcotics and dangerous drugs. 
 b) Analysis of alcohol content of blood and urine in forensic samples.
 c) Forensic DNA analysis including interpretation.
 d) Analysis of trace evidence.
 e) Analysis of blood, urine, or other materials for drugs and poisons.
 f) Comparative analysis of firearms and firearms-related evidence. 
 g) Identifies, authenticates, and examines as part of the document examination discipline.

NOTE: A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in biology, chemistry, or forensic science related area, may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience. 

OR, 

B. A Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area, with completed course work consisting of at least eight (8) semester/twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry; AND:

1. Two (2) years of experience as a Criminalist I, including qualified to provide expert testimony through a mock trial/moot court exercise involving casework or equivalent, with the San Diego Sheriff's Crime Laboratory; OR, 
2. Two (2) years of comparable, full-time experience from above, including qualified to provide expert testimony through a mock trial/moot court exercise involving casework or equivalent.  Experience must include proficiency in at least one (1) of the following areas:
    a) Analysis of solid dose narcotics and dangerous drugs. 
    b) Analysis of alcohol content of blood and urine in forensic samples.
    c) Forensic DNA analysis including interpretation.
    d) Analysis of trace evidence.
    e) Analysis of blood, urine, or other materials for drugs and poisons.
    f) Comparative analysis of firearms and firearms-related evidence. 
    g) Identifies, authenticates, and examines as part of the document examination discipline.

DNA Option:A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or certificate of foreign equivalency in chemistry, biology, or forensic science a closely related field, with completed course work consisting of at least eight (8) semester/twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry and three (3) semester/four (4) quarter units of EACH molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and statistics and/or population genetics, AND the experience requirements listed above under general options A or B.

Please view the complete Criminalist II job description including examples of duties, knowledge, skills and abilities, etc.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Conditions of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.  Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

 

Veteran’s Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.

Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

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