The County of Santa Cruz offers a generous benefits package which includes annual leave, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and CalPERS retirement benefits!
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THE JOB: Under general supervision, performs duties involved in crime scene investigations and identification of evidence by performing chemical, physical, and microscopic analysis in the laboratory and in the field; interprets the results of findings; prepares materials for presentation in criminal court; appears in court as an expert witness. May specialize in at least one discipline based on agency needs: Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Forensic Anthropology, or Firearms & Toolmarks; and perform other work as required. Current opening is for the Biology/ DNA discipline.
The current vacancy requires Biology/DNA specialization, this vacancy is in the Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Division Crime Laboratory. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office Forensic Services Division is adding Biology Screening and DNA Analysis to the services provided by the laboratory and is seeking experienced applicants for the position of Criminalist III. In this challenging and rewarding assignment, the incumbent will have the opportunity to work closely with forensic services team members to create a forensic DNA laboratory that will be tailored to meet the needs of the residents of Santa Cruz County. Start-up duties will include participation in the validation and implementation of DNA testing methods including probabilistic genotyping software and assisting in the development of policies and procedures to meet FBI QAS and ISO 17025:2017 accreditation requirements.
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 the knowledge and abilities would be:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminalistics, natural sciences, biological anthropology, computer science, or a closely related field. For Forensic Anthropology specialization: an MA or Ph.D. in anthropology with graduate level coursework in human and non-human osteology, forensic anthropology, archaeology, human variation, statistics and dental anthropology is required. For DNA assignment: a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree related to biology, chemistry or forensic science is required and must provide evidence of successful completion of coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and coursework and/or training in statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis AND Six years of experience performing forensic analysis in Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Firearms & Toolmarks or Forensic Anthropology and Crime Scene Investigation in a local, county, state, and/or federal forensic laboratory or similar setting; a MA or PhD degree may be substituted for one year of experience AND must possess and maintain required certification for specialty area if applicable.
OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminalistics, natural sciences, biological anthropology, computer science, or a closely related field. For Forensic Anthropology specialization: an MA or Ph.D. in anthropology with graduate level coursework in human and non-human osteology, forensic anthropology, archaeology, human variation, statistics and dental anthropology is required. For DNA assignment: a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree related to biology, chemistry or forensic science is required and must provide evidence of successful completion of coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and coursework and/or training in statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis AND Three years of experience as a Criminalist II at Santa Cruz County or equivalent AND must possess and maintain required certification for specialty area if applicable.
Live, work and play in beautiful Santa Cruz County!
The County’s natural beauty spans from its coastal beaches to its redwood forests. The County also has excellent shopping throughout the local communities and features a lively downtown area in the City of Santa Cruz.
For more information and to apply, please visit: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com