Criminalist

We welcome applications from everyone.

We will be accepting online applications from Friday February 20 2026 at 8:00 A.M. (PT) until Thursday March 19 2026 at 5:00 P.M. (PT)

All applications must be received before 5:00 P.M. (PT) on Thursday March 19 2026 to be accepted.

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With more than 10 million residents Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California over 116000 employees in more than 38 Departments we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement property assessment public health protection water conservation cultural activities and many more.

We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2300 different job descriptions offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work relax and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS

Positions allocable to this entry level class typically report to a Supervising Criminalist and work under close supervision and guidance in a forensic science or criminalistics laboratory receiving work of a progressively responsible nature and of broadening scope where capability develops and complete familiarity with all phases of laboratory analysis is gained. Incumbents in this class are characterized by their participation in an extensive mandatory in-service training program designed to teach the techniques and procedures used in forensic science or criminalistics laboratories and through classroom instruction and hands-on training prepare incumbents for higher-level criminalistics positions. Incumbents are required to respond to crime scenes at any time during their assigned shift as well as during off-duty hours and will be required to testify in court regarding their analyses. Upon completion of a one-year probationary period with a rating of competent incumbents may be assigned to any laboratory section or regional laboratory.

Performs under close supervision physical biological and chemical analyses of evidentiary materials such as blood narcotics drugs hairs and fibers metals questioned documents firearms ammunition toolmarks and body tissues and fluids; utilizes microscopic techniques comparison macrophotography chromatography spectroscopy spectrography and physical analytical and comparison techniques.

Prepares written findings and displays for court presentations; testifies in court concerning findings as established by the laboratory analyses and interprets findings as a qualified expert witness.

Upon successful completion of training requirements responds to crime scenes and independently examines collects interprets and preserves physical evidence for analysis and evaluation.

Researches technical journals textbooks chemical manuals and other source materials to determine the best methods of performing analytical testing.

Participates as assigned in conducting research into new methods and procedures of scientific criminal investigation.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
A Bachelors degree* from an accredited college or university with specialization in criminalistics chemistry biology biochemistry or a closely related scientific field including eight (8) semester units or twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry.

LICENSE
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions. Candidates offered this position would be required to show proof of a driver licenseprior to appointment.

Out-of-state applicants must have a valid license from the state in which they reside at the time of filing. Out-of-state applicantswill be required to obtain a California Class C Driver License prior to appointment.

LICENSE INFORMATION
Successful applicants for this position will be required to obtain a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before being appointed. A copy of your driving record must be presented at the time of your appointment. License must not be suspended restricted or revoked. AN APPLICANT WHOSE DRIVING RECORD SHOWS THREE (3) OR MORE MOVING VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR WILL NOT BE APPOINTED.

• Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of this classification with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• VISION: Color perception must be adequate to effectively and safely perform essential job-related functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS
Physical Class III Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending stooping squatting twisting reaching working on irregular surfaces occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

EXAMINATION CONTENT

A computerized multiple-choice test weighted 100% assessing:

• Knowledge of Scientific Principles in the Fields of Biology Chemistry Biochemistry and/or Forensics
• The Ability to Learn and Apply New Concepts and Information
• The Ability to Read Understand and Follow Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures
• Being Detail-oriented
• Being Focused on Generating Accurate and High-Quality Work Product
• Time Management Skills
• Being Ethical
  
  

THE COMPUTERIZED MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

APPLICANTS MUST ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

If you require an accommodation to fairly complete any part of the assessment process you will be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation. Please note you shall be contacted at a later time by a Sheriffs Department representative that will guide you through the process. You will be provided with an initial deadline to submit documentation. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline will delay your participation in the examination process and consideration for initial placement on the eligible list.

DHR provides study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on DHRs website at The section dedicated to test preparation is Employment Test Assistance.

If you are a veteran you may be eligible for veterans credit which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your form DD214 to review so please include that with your application or email it to as soon as possible so if you are eligible for veterans credit we can include it before the list is available.

The names of applicants receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible list for a period of six (6) months from the date of promulgation.

The list of successful applicants created from this exam will be used to fill vacancies within the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Technology and Support Division Scientific Services Bureau.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INCLUDING FINGERPRINT SEARCH.Examples of disqualifying factors include: Any felony convictions; job related misdemeanor convictions; certain serious traffic convictions or patterns of traffic violations (3 moving violations in one year; failure to appear; at fault accidents; suspended license; driving under the influence); poor credit history; poor employment history; substance abuse; anyone on probation.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has a zero tolerancepolicy for its employees for the following:

• Use of narcotics controlled substances and/or prescription drugs without a prescription.

Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to discharge.

AVAILABLE SHIFT: Any Shift

APPOINTEES MUST BE WILLING TO WORK ANY SHIFT INCLUDING EVENINGS NIGHTS WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail fax or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the Apply green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates. Your application and supplemental questionnaire must be submitted electronically before 5:00 P.M. PT on Thursday March 19 2026.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employers name and address job title beginning and ending dates number of hours worked per week and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails it is possible to view notices by logging into and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicants responsibility to take steps to view correspondence and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD NO EXCEPTIONS.

TO ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL AS VERIFICATION.

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number so include yours when applying.

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

All applicants must file their application using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friends user ID and password may erase a candidates original application record.

California Relay Services Phone:
ADA Coordinator Phone:
Teletype Phone:
Department Contact Name:Professional Examinations Unit
Department Contact Phone:
Department Contact Email:

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information please visit: Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations please visit: Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job and will also consider potential mitigating factors which may include but is not limited to evidence and extent of rehabilitation recency of the offense(s) and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at .

Veterans Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy in all open competitive examinations (i.e. examinations open to everyone) the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veterans credit please visit: September 2025