Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory Technician

Job Description:

Sheriff's Forensic Laboratory Technician

Description

Description

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 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 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 bachelor's 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 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Vacation Leave Redemption - After 14,560 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 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 of up to $25,558 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 County's 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.

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 : Friday, September 5, 2025
CLOSING DATE : Thursday , September 11, 2025 at 5:00 pm
WRITTEN EXAM: Tues day, September 23, 2025

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;
• 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.

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 melissa.kurtz@venturacounty.gov or you may mail or deliver a copy to Sheriff's 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.

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 general chemistry, biology, and forensic science and related terminology.

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.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs . 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 here (Download PDF reader) 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 present and future Regular (including Temporary), fixed-term, Intermittent, and extra-help vacancies. There is one (1) current regular vacancy.

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.

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.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Melissa Kurtz by e-mail at melissa.kurtz@venturacounty.gov .

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.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ,UPT, UWS

Closing Date/Time: 9/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$46,422.63 - $65,344.32 Annually