Open & Promotional
Salary: $6,526 – 8,257 / Month
LAST DATE TO APPLY: Continuous - Applications accepted continuously. All applications on file in the Personnel Department as of any given Friday may be reviewed and scheduled for testing to accommodate future hiring.
THE JOB: Under general supervision, performs duties involved in crime scene investigation and the identification of evidence by performing chemical, physical and microscopic analysis in the laboratory and in the field; interprets the results of the findings; prepares materials for presentation in criminal court; appears in court as an expert witness. Incumbent will specialize in at least one laboratory discipline based on agency needs.
The current vacancy is in the digital evidence specialty and the successful candidate will be responsible for forensic examination of computer and cell phone evidence. The position will involve the processing and analysis of digital evidence, including: disassembling computer hardware; forensic imaging of digital media; examining data related to criminal offenses; recovering data from cellular phones and computers; technical case review and training sworn and non-sworn staff. Criminalists working in this position will encounter data containing explicit sexual content and child pornography.
THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these would be: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science, criminalistics, natural sciences, physical anthropology, computer science, or a closely related field,
AND
Three years of experience performing forensic analysis in Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Toxicology, Firearms & Toolmarks or Forensic Anthropology or a related field of specialization and crime scene investigation in a local, county, state, and/or federal forensic laboratory or similar setting; a Master’s or PhD degree may be substituted for one year of experience. OR Three years of experience as a Criminalist I at Santa Cruz County or equivalent.
For toxicology specialization: college course work must include 24 semester hours of chemistry including organic chemistry and quantitative analysis. Additionally, candidates must meet the criteria for a Forensic Alcohol Analyst as specified under Title 17, California Code of Regulations by the California Department of Health Services at the time of appointment. For forensic anthropology specialization: an MA or PhD in anthropology with graduate level coursework in human and non-human osteology, forensic anthropology, archaeology, human variation, statistics and dental anthropology is required. For digital evidence specialization: Active certification through at least one of the following recognized professional associations: Certified Cyber Forensics Professional (ICS2), Certified Computer Examiner (CCE), Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE), Digital Forensics Computer Board, International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners, or International Society of Computer Investigation Specialists, or equivalent certification is required. For latent print specialization: Latent Print Examiner certification is required. For Firearms & Toolmarks specialization: Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners (AFTE) certification in at least one of the following: Firearm, Toolmark, or Gunshot, is required
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Active certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) as a crime scene investigator, crime scene analyst, crime scene reconstructionist or senior crime scene analyst is highly desirable. Active certification through the professional association or accrediting agency associate with the assigned forensic discipline, such as: American Board of Toxicology, American Board of Forensic Anthropology, EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), is highly desirable.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: Mentally and physically capable of performing the classification’s essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this job specification with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling; and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials. Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks or people. Environmental Factors: Exposure to variable temperatures, confined work spaces and heights; strong unpleasant odors, infectious bio-hazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen which might cause chronic disease or death; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; toxic substances; individuals who may be hostile and abusive; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence. Hours: May be required to work flexible hours, shifts, weekends and holidays and be subject to holdover and callback duty; and to provide a telephone number or means by which employee can be reached. License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of valid Class C California Driver License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles by the time of appointment. Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.
HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) Submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.
Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.
To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.