Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory Technician

Salary : $44,852.78 - $63,134.61 Annually
Location : Ventura, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1949SHF-23AA (DAS)
Department: Sheriff
Division: Crime Lab
Opening Date: 12/26/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• A general salary increase of 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's 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).
• Annual Leave Redemption/Accrual Rate - The option to cash out up to 100 hours of total 208 hours of Annual Leave accrued per year. A candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 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 Plans - Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
  1. Employee only - $502 per biweekly pay period
  2. Employee plus one dependent - $730 per biweekly pay period
  3. Employee plus family - $905 per biweekly pay period
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in pre-tax benefit for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• 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.

The position
Under immediate supervision, provides technical assistance to Forensic Scientists in all areas of Alcohol Analysis, Toxicology, Solid Dosage Drugs, Forensic Biology, Crime Scene Investigation, Fingerprints, and Comparative Analysis/Firearms; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics:This classification is characterized by its performance of Forensic Laboratory technical assistance to Forensic Scientists. It differs from the Forensic Scientist Trainee in that the latter classification participates in an agency-sponsored training program to prepare them for full-journey level, professional forensic science duties.
The Forensic Laboratory Technician is represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: Tuesday, December 26, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applicants to meet business needs.
WRITTEN EXAM: Week of January 22, 2024
Examples Of Duties
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;
• Verifies accuracy of breath alcohol-testing instrumentation under the supervision of a forensic scientist;
• Makes reagents for all sections of the Forensic Sciences Laboratory;
• Prepares kits for Blood Alcohol, Toxicology, and Forensic Biology Sections;
• Disposal of samples in accordance with legal requirements;
• 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;
• Assists Forensic Scientists with preparation of samples to be analyzed;
• May testify in court; and
• Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE: Some experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can also be obtained by the equivalent of two (2) years of college which has included at least twenty (20) semester units or thirty (30) quarter units in science laboratory courses such as biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biology, criminalistics, forensic science, quantitative analysis; or a closely related field.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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 donna.smith@ventura.org or you may mail or deliver a copy to Sheriff's Human Resources Bureau, 800 South Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009-3700, Attn: Donna Smith. 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.

DESIRED:

• Bachelor's Degree in the laboratory sciences field (e.g., biochemistry, 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 or twelve (12) quarter units of general chemistry.
• Experience in operating microscopes.
• Experience working in a scientific laboratory.
• Experience working with analytical instrumentation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Some knowledge of the fundamental principles of analytical chemistry.
Some ability to: comprehend and follow oral and written instructions; maintain laboratory equipment; prepare test kits; enter and retrieve data from computerized data bases; utilize specialized computer software related to forensic science; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Supplemental Information:
Work is primarily performed in the Forensic Science Lab but also involves travel to alcohol testing sites.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE:This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
To apply online, please refer to our web site at . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue L-1970, Ventura CA 93009.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, they may not be submitted in lieu of the application and supplemental questionnaire.
INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER CANDIDATES: If presently permanently employed in another merit or civil service public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a merit or civil service style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click for additional information.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying:All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying:All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of general chemistry, and forensic science. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.Applicants successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies. There are currently two (2) regular vacancies in the Sheriff's Forensic Services Bureau.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Prior to actual appointment from the eligible list, the successful candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation, conducted by the Sheriff's Human Resources bureau which may also include a polygraph examination. Background investigation findings may be a basis for removal from the eligible list. To speak to a sheriff's office representative concerning the background investigation process, call (805) 654-2375.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Donna Smith by e-mail at
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe County of Ventura 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.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)
(SEIU)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• or you may call (805) 654-2570.

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS
01
You are applying for a position within a law enforcement agency. If you are successful in the application, testing and selection process, you will undergo a thorough background investigation prior to receiving an offer of employment. The background investigation may take up to 3 months to complete. The following are some of the more common reasons for disqualification from the background investigation:
* Conviction of a felony.
* Conviction of two or more misdemeanors in the past ten years.
* Conviction of a sex related crime.
* Having had a driving privilege suspended or revoked for non-medical reasons within the past five years.
* Having any convictions for violent crimes or domestic violence incidents that prohibit the possession of a firearm under 29805 PC.
* History of having illegally possessed, purchased, or sold any of the following substances in the past seven years: cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, LSD, MDMA, ecstasy, psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms), or PCP.
* History of serious financial irresponsibility within the past 5 years.
* Having been on any court ordered probation at any time within the past 5 years.
* Dishonesty during any part of the application or hiring process, including the background investigation.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

02
Do you possess and are you able to maintain a valid California driver license?

• Yes
• No

03
Did you graduate from a college or university?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered yes to the above question, please list degree level (e.g., Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), and degree major. If you answered no, please type "None."
05
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