Overview
CRIMINALIST Jobs in Riverside County, CA at Department of Justice
Job Posting: Criminalist (DNA Special Skills)
Department of Justice
JC-524983
Criminalist (DNA Special Skills)
CRIMINALIST
$4,587.00 – $10,138.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 8/5/2026
Job Description and Duties
The Criminalist classification is an entry, training, and sub-journey level position. Criminalists perform routine and less complex biology and DNA examinations and analyses. They may assist higher-level Criminalists in scientific investigations and the examination of physical evidence at crime scenes.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-524983
Position #(s):
420-575-8466-XXX
Working Title:
Criminalist (DNA Special Skills)
Classification:
CRIMINALIST
$4,587.00 – $6,100.00 A
$6,001.00 – $8,411.00 B
$7,229.00 – $10,138.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Shall Consider:
SENIOR CRIMINALIST
$7,935.00 – $11,151.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Riverside County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Work Shift:
8am-5pm
Work Week:
Monday-Friday
Department Information
- This position is located in the Division of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Forensic Services, Riverside Laboratory.
- Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
-
Please note that this classification contains multiple salary ranges. New-to-State employees will be given the minimum salary of Range A, unless you meet Alternate Range Criteria 277. current state employees and/or those with reinstatement rights, your salary will be determined in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
- Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual – CalHR.
For more information about the Department, please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a fingerprint check prior to being hired.
- The position(s) requires that incumbents pass a Background Investigation prior to being hired. The Background Investigation may include Criminal Background and a review of any governmental records.
- The position requires that incumbents pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) you to complete and pass a Drug Screening test prior to being hired.
Eligibility
- To be appointed to this position as a Criminalist you must meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the class specifications, be eligible for transfer, reinstatement, or have current list eligibility. To complete the exam please visit: CalCareers – Exam
- Candidates who have graduated from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences but do not have 3 semester hours of Quantitative Analysis will be admitted to the examination, but they must provide proof of completion of the 3 semester hours of Quantitative Analysis before they are eligible for appointment.
- To be appointed to this position as a Senior Criminalist you must be eligible for transfer, reinstatement, or have current list eligibility. This classification does not offer an ongoing exam.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 8/5/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Justice
Nancy Vang
Attn: Nancy Vang – DLE/OC – PSU – JC-498662
1300 I Street Suite 1140
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Justice
Nancy Vang
Nancy Vang – DLE/OC – PSU – JC-498662
1300 I Street Suite 1140
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other – Candidates must submit a copy of college transcripts and a copy of your college degree(s). Official transcripts will be required upon appointment.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate’s relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge of: Scientific techniques and equipment used in the laboratory and at crime scenes; tests for the identity and comparison of blood and physiological fluids; tests for explosives and flammable materials; toxicological analyses; tests of hairs, fibers, glass, soil, paint, and similar materials, as well as the necessary equipment to conduct these tests; modern methods and techniques in investigations of major crimes; current trends in toxicology, general chemistry, and microchemistry; modern types of small arms and the techniques of conducting all types of firearms, bullet, and toolmark comparisons; methods used in the examination of documents in criminal cases; photographic and photomicrographic principles and practices as applied to criminalistics; chromatographic techniques; and modern office methods, supplies, and equipment.
Ability to: Make extensive use of scientific methods and techniques at crime scenes; make effective use of microscopes, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and Capillary Electrophoresis; recognize the need for and develop and evaluate new test methods and procedures; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; conduct applied research to develop and validate state-of-the-art evidence examination techniques; testify effectively in court; instruct law enforcement and forensic personnel in criminalistics; consistently exercise a high degree of initiative, confidentiality, independence, good judgment, and flexibility while performing a wide variety of duties; adjust to changing priorities; work well under pressure; work effectively with all levels of staff and other state and local agencies; and keep good records.
DOJ’s DNA programs comply with the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. In accordance with these standards, a DNA Special Skills Criminalist must have successfully completed the following college coursework, or the equivalent, in order to qualify as an analyst in a DNA program:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Statistics and/or Population Genetics
Candidates who have not completed the FBI QAS-required college coursework may apply for DNA Special Skills positions; however, only the most qualified candidates will be selected to move forward in the selection process.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Kerry Hoefling
(916) 210-7465
[email protected]
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department’s EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
[email protected]
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Application Filing Information
Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California 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.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Title: CRIMINALIST
Company: Department of Justice
Location: Riverside County, CA
Category:
