What are the responsibilities and job description for the CRIMINALIST position at Department of Justice?
Job Posting: Criminalist (DNA Special Skills)
Department of Justice
CRIMINALIST
$4,587.00 - $10,138.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 7/22/2026
Job Description and Duties
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Position Details
Shall Consider:
SENIOR CRIMINALIST
Department Information
- This position is located in the Division of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Forensic Services, Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, in Richmond, CA. The Bureau of Forensic Services has seven DNA programs in California. Six programs are at regional laboratories, and the positions at these laboratories are assigned to DNA Casework Programs. Positions at the seventh laboratory, the Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory in Richmond (Contra Costa County), may be assigned to the DNA Casework Program, the CAL-DNA Data Bank Program, the Missing Persons DNA Program, or the Method Development Unit.
- Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
- For more information about the Department, please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.
- Please note that this classification contains multiple salary ranges. New-to-State employees will be given the minimum salary of Range A, unless you meet Alternate Range Criteria 277. For current state employees and/or those with reinstatement rights, your salary will be determined in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
- Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a fingerprint check prior to being hired.
- The position(s) requires that incumbents pass a Background Investigation prior to being hired. The Background Investigation may include Criminal Background and a review of any governmental records.
- The position requires that incumbents pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) you to complete and pass a Drug Screening test prior to being hired.
- To be appointed to this position as a Criminalist you must meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the class specifications, be eligible for transfer, reinstatement, or have current list eligibility. Candidates who have graduated from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences but do not have 3 semester hours of Quantitative Analysis will be admitted to the examination, but they must provide proof of completion of the 3 semester hours of Quantitative Analysis before they are eligible for appointment.
- To be appointed to this position as a Senior Criminalist you must be eligible for transfer, reinstatement, or have current list eligibility. This classification does not offer an ongoing exam.
Education Incentive
Criminalists and/or Senior Criminalist assigned to a DNA program may be entitled to a $300 Pay Differential as per Pay Diff 209.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 7/22/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- School Transcripts
- Other - Candidates must submit a copy of college transcripts and a copy of your college degree(s). Official transcripts will be required upon appointment.
- Statement of Qualifications -
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. To be considered for the position, applicants must submit an SOQ along with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Applicants who fail to follow this requirement as specified will be disqualified from the selection process. Please see Statement of Qualifications section below for instructions.
Desirable Qualifications
DOJ’s DNA programs comply with the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. These standards set minimum educational requirements for analysts, including degree and coursework requirements. The DNA Casework program’s training curriculum provides more exact specifications that will meet these standards. The exact requirements to meet these standards and the training curriculum are laid out in the Statement of Qualifications section.
Benefits
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Kerry Hoefling
(916) 210-7465
kerry.hoefling@doj.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.ca.gov
Statement of Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area (required)
- Eight Semester Hours or Twelve Quarter hours of General Chemistry (required)
- Quantitative Analysis Chemistry Course (required)
At least 9 semester hours (or equivalent) in the areas of genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to meet the current FBI DNA Quality Assurance Standards 5.4.1 (required) - Completed university coursework covering statistics or population genetics, this cannot be covered by the same courses used to meet the 9 credit hours listed above (required)
Additional Information on Application Filing
Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date. Electronic Filing preferred.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Salary : $4,587 - $10,138