CRIMINALISTICS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We welcome applications from anyone.

FILING DATES:

We will be accepting online applications from Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 8:00 A.M. (PT) until Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5:00 P.M. (PT). 

All applications must be received before 5:00 P.M. (PT) on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to be accepted.

EXAM NUMBER:

J4331C

Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits!

Los Angeles County offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/ 

Why work for us?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital  and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.

The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers!   We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee.  Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with 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.

Prepares standard chemical solutions and reagents for use in forensic biological procedures. 

Performs routine chemical analyses on biological samples and bulk-controlled drug specimens and may perform special projects under close supervision.  

Operates a chromatograph for the routine analysis of specified classes of evidence submitted to the laboratory.

Performs routine toxicology extraction procedures of blood and urine specimens and prepares extracts for subsequent analysis.

Operates an immunoassay instrument to screen urine specimens for drugs of abuse.

Assists laboratory personnel by performing routine laboratory tests and analyses of evidentiary specimens, as directed.

Prepares evidence collection kits for distribution (e.g., GSR, sexual assault kit).

Provides inventory support functions, including ordering supplies, tracking packages, and stocking.

Documents evidence.

Prepares evidence for outsourcing.

Provides guidance to volunteers who perform crime lab support functions.

Performs functions to support and/or ensure equipment is adequately calibrated, records are accurate, and active inventory has not exceeded its expiration date.

For more information, please view the classification specification: Criminalistics Laboratory Technician

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY

Successful completion of 60 semester units or equivalent quarter units (90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university*, including three (3) semester units or equivalent quarter units (4.5 quarter units) in both general chemistry and organic chemistry.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential 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. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

*To receive credit for the required coursework and any degree, you MUST include a legible copy of the official transcripts AND official degree, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the completed semester/quarter units of coursework in the areas of specialization at the time of filing, or email to [email protected] within (7) seven calendar days from Thursday, September 17, 2026.   The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf.
 
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to [email protected].  

WITHHOLD INFORMATION
 No withhold will be allowed. Required education must be fully met at the time of filing.

 APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS BY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.  

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

As part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The questionnaire contains a pre-investigative questionnaire which will be used as part of the background investigation process to ensure applicants meet the standards set forth by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Applicants who fail the pre-investigative questionnaire will be disqualified and will have to wait three (3) months from the date of the disqualification in order to reapply. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Credit will be given to applicants, who possess DESIRABLE qualifications and indicate so on their employment application at the time of filing.

Being currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree* program with a specialization in criminalistics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field at an accredited college or university.

A Bachelor's degree* or Master's Degree* with a specialization in criminalistics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field from an accredited college or university.

Full-time experience** working in criminalistics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field laboratory. 

**Full-time work experience is evaluated on the basis of a 40-hour work week.

EXAMINATION CONTENT

This examination will consist of two (2) parts:

PART I - A written multiple-choice test worth 50% assessing: Biology, Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, Scientific Method, and Criminalistics.

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

ONLY APPLICANTS WHO ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART I WILL PROCEED TO PART II.

PART II - A Training and Experience Evaluation worth 50% assessing: Education and experience in a criminalistics, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field laboratory. This assessment type will evaluate the training and experience you list on your application and supplemental questionnaire and assign a score based on a standardized scoring system.

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

TESTING ACCOMMODATION
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the examination 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 will be contacted at a later time by a Sheriff’s 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.

TEST PREPARATION
Department of Human Resources (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 DHR's website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/. The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests.  You can also visit our Los Angeles County Online Assessment Preparation Series webpage at https://lacounty.attract.neogov.com/la-county-online-assessments-prep-series for information about common online assessment types, sample questions, and test-taking tips."

VETERAN'S CREDIT
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran's 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 [email protected] as soon as possible, so if you are eligible for veteran's credit , we can include it before the list is available.  

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION
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 eligible list from this examination will be used to fill vacancies throughout the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Technology and Support Division, Scientific Services Bureau facilities.

SPECIAL INFORMATION
 
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES 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.

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY IF HIRED
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (Department) has a "zero tolerance" policy 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, September 17, 2026.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's 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 governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's 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.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

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 www.governmentjobs.com 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. 

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

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

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
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. 

NO SHARING OF USER ID, EMAIL, AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their application using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) 229-1621

Teletype Phone: (213) 626-0251

Department Contact Name: Professional Examinations Unit

Department Contact Phone: (323) 526-5611

Department Contact Email: [email protected]