Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory Technician

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Merit Increases New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive- An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree 3.5% for completion of a bachelors degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive Based on agency need proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I) $1.00 per hour (Level II) or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule We support work life balance by offering compressed work (e.g. 9/80 or 4/10 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
• Vacation Accrual New regular full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase atand 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Vacation Leave Redemption After 14560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to cash in or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave- Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation- Eligible to participate in the Countys 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health PlansFull time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $25558 annually to offset the purchase of medical dental and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
  • Employee only - $509 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus one dependent - $779 per biweekly pay period
  • Employee plus family - $983 per biweekly pay period
• Flexible Spending Accounts- Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
• Pension Plan- Participation in the Countys defined pension plan which has reciprocity with CalPERS.
• Holidays- 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits- Tuition Reimbursement Disability Plans Employee Assistance Program Life Insurance Wellness Program.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Works with forensic scientists to perform robotic DNA extraction quantification short tandem repeat (STR) amplification and electrophoresis of casework material;
• Assists forensic scientists with preparation of samples to be analyzed;
• Verifies accuracy of breath alcohol-testing instrumentation under the supervision of a forensic scientist;
• Makes reagents and performs quality control checks;
• Assists in preparation of case work and prepares statistical reports;
• Maintains current inventory of laboratory equipment and supplies; orders supplies as needed for the Forensic Science Laboratory;
• Cleans and prepares surfaces test tubes and other laboratory equipment as required;
• Prepares kits for Blood Alcohol Toxicology and Forensic Biology Sections;
• May testify in court; and
• Performs related duties as required.

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
• Effective written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
• Verification of course work is required if your qualifications for this position are based on the college courses completed. Transcripts or grade reports from an accredited college or university which reflect passing grades in the required subject areas must be submitted either with your application or within three (3) business days after the recruitment closes to continue in the process. You may attach a copy to your online application email a copy to the recruitment analyst at or you may mail or deliver a copy to Sheriffs Human Resources Bureau 800 South Victoria Ave. #3330 Ventura CA 93009-3700 Attn: Melissa Kurtz.If transcripts are not submitted your application will be screened out and you will not be allowed to continue in the process - no exceptions.Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  
  You must submit your college transcripts with your application a hard copy with a paper application or a scanned copy as an attachment for an online application. If you submit a hard copy with a paper application be sure it is a copy. Whatever you submit will not be returned to you. To attach a scanned copy to an online application use the Add Attachment(s) link in the Attachments section at the bottom of the page where you can edit the various sections of your application.
  
  If the name on your college transcripts is different from the name on your application include documents that show the name change (e.g. a marriage certificate).
  
  College transcripts from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.

• Bachelors Degree inthe laboratory sciences field ( chemistry physics biology forensic science; or a closely related field).
• Three (3) semester units or four and a half (4.5) quarter units each in genetics biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Eight (8) semester units ortwelve (12) quarter unitsof general chemistry.
• Experience in operating microscopes.
• Experience working in a scientific laboratory.
• Experience working with analytical instrumentation.