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This is a limited-continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

Level 1 - $5,543.64 - $6,737.25/month

Level 2 - $7,398.50 - $8,992.33/month

Level 3 - $9,215.00 - $11,202.08/month

Level 4 - $9,688.33 - $11,774.58/month

Criminalists conduct forensic laboratory analyses of physical evidence, investigate crime scenes, and testify in court as an expert witness on the subjects of forensic analyses and crime scene investigation.

The Criminalist I-IV class series is utilized in a variety of ways within the County of Sacramento District Attorney’s Laboratory of Forensic Services. This eligible list may be used to fill multiple vacancies, as well as other vacancies as they become available. The current Criminalist vacancy we are recruiting to fill is for an experienced Firearms and Toolmark Examiner at the Criminalist II level or higher. Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Evaluate firearm related evidence using accepted techniques to classify, compare, and identify a variety of firearms, cartridges, cartridge cases, bullets, and other related components utilizing microscopic techniques and instrumentation which may include a comparison microscope, stereomicroscopes, digital microscope, and conventional photography. Perform functionality examinations on submitted firearms and make source determinations for fired and cycled ammunition components. Document findings, prepare technical written reports, and effectively communicate highly complex scientific material to law enforcement, attorneys, and other agencies and individuals who do not have advanced knowledge of the subject matter. Prepare exhibits and provide expert testimony concerning the significance of examinations conducted. Stay current with new and emerging scientific advancements, relevant court decisions, and legal challenges related to areas in forensic science.

Candidates who have experience in footwear/tire track comparisons and acting as a lead crime scene analyst are highly desirable, but not required for this position.

Candidates with one or more Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) certifications are also desired, but not required for this position.

• Firearm Evidence Examination and Identification (FA-AFTE)
• Toolmark Evidence Examination and Identification (TM-AFTE)
• Gunshot Residue Evidence Examination and Identification (GSR-AFTE)

In addition to the posted salary for this class, the County of Sacramento offers the following incentives and differentials:

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE:

Employees in the Criminalist class will become eligible for a two and half (2.5%) percent differential for possession of any one of the following certifications. This incentive is not cumulative. The County will also pay for the annual recertification of the following certifications:

• American Board of Criminalistics 
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology 
• Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners 
• International Association for Identification

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PAY DIFFERENTIAL:

An employee in the Crime Laboratory of the District Attorney’s Office who is assigned in writing by the appointing authority to serve as a lead on the Crime Scene Team shall receive a 10% pay differential. This differential shall be based on the employee’s standard hourly salary rate and shall be payable only while acting in the lead capacity.

SAFETY OFFICER, CRIME LABORATORY DIFFERENTIAL:

The safety officer for the Crime Laboratory shall receive a pay differential of 5.0% of the employee’s standard hourly salary rate. There is typically one individual assigned to this task at a time within the laboratory.

DNA TECHNICAL LEAD DIFFERENTIAL:

Any Criminalist and/or Supervising Criminalist assigned, in writing, to serve as a DNA Technical Leader shall receive a 5% pay differential of the employee’s standard hourly salary rate.

LONGEVITY PAY DIFFERENTIAL:

Permanent employees who reach ten (10) years of full-time service shall receive a 2.5% differential. Less than full-time permanent employees shall become eligible upon working the equivalent of ten (10) years of full-time service.

CASH FOR ACCRUED VACATION LEAVE:

Employees can “cash-in” up to forty (40) hours/year vacation after ten (10) years of full-time continuous service and 240 hours accrued vacation per the terms of County policy 306 “Cash for Accrued Vacation Leave”.

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 explosives
• Laws of evidence, criminal procedure, and crimes
• Laboratory safety

Ability to

• Perform a variety of difficult chemical, instrumental, and other complex laboratory analyses
• 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

Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, pharmacology, biology, microbiology, criminalistics (with emphasis in chemistry), or a closely related scientific field. Coursework must have included successful completion of 8 semester / 12 quarter units of general chemistry and 3 semester / 4.5 quarter units of quantitative analysis.
Note: A Master's degree in criminalistics, chemistry, biology, or a closely related scientific field may be substituted for one year of required experience.
Note: The level at which initial appointment to the class of Criminalist is made and/or movement from one level to the next is at the discretion of the appointing authority, in accordance with budget provisions, workload, and organizational needs, provided the experience requirements are met.
Note: The word "experience" referenced in the minimum qualifications means full-time paid experience unless the job announcement 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 final filing date listed in this notice.
General Requirements
Driver's License: 
Some positions in this class may require a valid California Driver (Class C) License prior to appointment. Failure to maintain a valid License may constitute cause for termination from this class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Certificates/licenses: 
Incumbents appointed to positions whose duties include the analysis of blood alcohol are required to obtain a Forensic Alcohol Analyst / Supervisor License issued by the State of California within one year of appointment date.
Note: Failure to obtain and maintain the appropriate valid Forensic Alcohol Analyst / Supervisor License may constitute cause for personnel action, up to and including dismissal from the class, under applicable Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.
Criminal History and Background Investigation:
Candidates must pass a criminal history and background check, which may include contact of prior employers and personal references. Candidates will be fingerprinted through the California Department of Justice Live Scan process for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. A set of fingerprints is furnished to the California Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: 
All positions require incumbents 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
• Withstand exposure to disagreeable elements such as extreme weather conditions, malodorous and/or decomposing samples, blood, bodily fluids, etc.

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 American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD / LAB).

Equipment Used:
Incumbents are required to safely operate the following equipment in the performance of duties:

• County-owned vehicles
• Laboratory equipment and tools, such as microscopes, centrifuges, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers, etc.
• Office equipment, such as telephones, copiers, and fax machines

Hours of Work: 
Incumbents may be required to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends at various locations as necessary.
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. Click here to apply.

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 EmployOffice@Saccounty.net

Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667

www.SacCountyJobs.net

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
• 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.
• 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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