FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST I - Los Angeles County : Job Details

FILING DATES DECEMBER 16, 2024, at 8:00 A.M. (PT) TO JANUARY 14, 2025, before 5:00 P.M. (PT)NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.EXAM NUMBER J4332STYPE OF RECRUITMENT Open Competitive Job OpportunityREASONS TO JOIN OUR TEAM:Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits! Los Angeles County offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation:

• Flexible Benefit Plans - The County provides each employee with a monthly benefit allowance they can use to pay Dental coverage, Group Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Health Care Spending Accounts.
• Robust Retirement Packages - Contributory-defined benefit plan; option tax-deferred income plans that may include a County matching contribution up to 4% of employee's salary.
• Generous Maternity and Family Leave Benefits.
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays per year.

NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

DEFINITIONUnder close supervision, makes fingerprint comparisons, processes crime scenes for evidence, utilizes automated systems to compare latent fingerprints, prepares reports, and engages in other activities related to forensic identification.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDSPositions allocated to this class work under close supervision of a Forensic Identification Specialist II, Supervising Forensic Identification Specialist, or a higher-level supervisor. Positions in this class learn both field and laboratory analysis including processing crime scenes by recognizing, searching, collecting, and preserving physical evidence; developing latent fingerprints by using conventional techniques; utilizing automated systems for comparing latent fingerprints; and qualifying as an expert witness in court.

Takes fingerprints and palm prints using printer's ink or computerized optical digital technology.

Develops, collects, and preserves latent fingerprints from typical surfaces using conventional techniques, chemical processing, and alternate light source technologies.

Compares latent prints to inked or digitally captured prints.

Prepares, enters, and compares latent fingerprints in an automated fingerprint identification system.

Participates in crime scene investigations to recognize, search for, collect, and preserve physical evidence.

Documents crime scenes through note-taking, diagramming, photographing, and video recording.

Preserves impressions of shoe prints, tire tracks, and other objects at crime scenes through casting and photography.

Prepares detailed reports of crime scene investigations, other activities, and comparison results.

Accesses crime scenes in a variety of environments including remote areas requiring mountaineering and other entrance and egress techniques to document and collect evidence.

Testifies as an expert witness in court.

Serves on-call and responds to crime scene locations within LA County jurisdiction within short notice (typically departing within 20 minutes of notice) to process crime scenes during a 24-hour operation, including nights and on holidays.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTSOPTION IGraduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Arts or Science degree* in criminalistics, police science, or a related field** with completion of a minimum of eight (8) semester units or twelve (12) quarter units of photography, crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, or criminalistics.ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS BY JANUARY 14, 2025, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.OPTION IITwo years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County's class of a Forensic Technician II***, Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems Technician II***, Criminalistics Laboratory Technician***, or Photographer I***, or work experience detecting, lifting, and retrieving latent prints from crime scenes, or providing direct assistance to forensic identification specialists or other law enforcement investigation professionals conducting field investigations.LICENSEA valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions. Candidates offered these positions would be required to show proof of a driver license prior to appointment.LICENSE INFORMATIONSuccessful 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.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*In order to receive credit for the required coursework and 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 within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing your online application. Please submit documentation to [email protected] and indicate your name, the exam title and the exam number. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted to meet the educational requirement.**Related fields include, but are not limited to: Administration of Justice, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Fire Technology, Forensic Science, Geology, Genetics and Cell Biology, Health Science, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Photography, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, and Sociology.SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIREAs part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The questionnaire contains a pre-investigative questionnaire which will be utilized 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 QUALIFICATIONSCredit will be given to applicants who possess DESIRABLE qualifications and indicate so on their employment application at the time of filing.Coursework* completion earned as part of a certificate or degree program in the field of forensics (40 hours of coursework = 4 quarter units = 2.67 semester units):

• Coursework in the Friction Ridge Examination Process
• Coursework in Courtroom Testimony (which includes at least an overview of the legal system, how evidence is presented in court, and how to answer questions in the courtroom)
• Coursework in Crime Scene Photography
• Coursework in Sketching Crime Scenes or Measuring Crime Scene Evidence

At least two (2) years of experience as a latent print examiner, crime scene investigator, or crime scene investigator who investigates crimes against persons beyond the minimum requirements.A Bachelor's degree* from an accredited college or university.EXAMINATION CONTENTThis examination will consist of three (3) parts:PART IA computerized multiple-choice test covering reading comprehension, written expression, checking for errors, pattern recognition, and situational judgement weighted 40%.ONLY CANDIDATES WHO ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART I WILL PROCEED TO PART II.PART IIA structured interview assessing applied experience and training, adaptability, friction skin evidence process, photography, identification of fingerprints, evidence processing, crime scene processing, verbal communication, and written communication, weighted 45%. As part of the interview, candidates will also be required to complete a brief writing exercise. Candidates who do not submit a writing exercise will be disqualified from this examination.ONLY CANDIDATES WHO ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART II WILL PROCEED TO PART III.PART IIIAn evaluation of training, education, and experience based upon application information and desirable qualifications weighted 15%.

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

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONIf you require an accommodation to fairly compete in 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 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 PREPARATIONStudy guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help you prepare for the test, we advise you to review all related materials you deem necessary.

• An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed at the Department of Human Resources website at Please click on Find a Job and then Job Search Toolkit. Test Preparation Information is located under the Employment Test Assistance section.

VETERAN'S CREDITIf you served in the military and were honorably discharged, you may qualify for Veteran's Credit. To receive this credit, please include a copy of your DD214 Form issued by the branch of service with your application.ELIGIBILITY INFORMATIONThe names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible list in the order of their score group for a period of six (6) months following the date of promulgation.SPECIAL INFORMATIONSUCCESSFUL 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 HIREDThe 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.VACANCY INFORMATIONThe eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Technology and Support Division, Scientific Services Bureau.AVAILABLE SHIFT Any ShiftAPPOINTEES MUST BE WILLING TO WORK ANY SHIFT, INCLUDING EVENINGS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS.APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATIONAPPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX, OR IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.All applicants are required to submit a Standard County of Los Angeles Employment application and supplemental questionnaire ONLINE only. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of applications, although resumes and supporting documents may be uploaded as attachments to the online application.Fill out your application and supplemental questionnaire completely. Provide any relevant education, training, and experience in the spaced provided so we may evaluate your qualifications for the job. All information is subject to verification and applications may be rejected at any time during the selection process.The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the SELECTION REQUIREMENTS and you have completely filled out your application.Apply online by clicking on the green Apply button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website. Your application and supplemental questionnaire must be submitted electronically before 5:00 p.m., PT, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 P.M. (PT) deadline on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts.IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.
• FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.
• Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification and Selection Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, and you may be DISQUALIFIED.

CORRESPONDENCE AND UPDATES WILL BE SENT VIA E-MAIL.

• All notices including invitation letters, result letters, and notices of non-acceptance will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

NOTE: Candidates who apply online must upload any required documents as attachments during application submission. If you are unable to attach required documents, you may fax the documents to (323) ###-#### or email any outstanding documents required to [email protected] at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of application filing. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Please include your Name, the Exam Number, and the Exam Title on the faxed documents.SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERPlease include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORDAll applicants must file their application online 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) ###-####ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) ###-####Teletype Phone: (213) ###-####Department Contact Name: Professional Exams UnitDepartment Contact Phone: (323) ###-####Department Contact E-mail: [email protected] more information on Employment Information, click on the link below: