Criminalist I

The Job

Launch Your Forensic Career: Become a Criminalist I with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department!
Entry-Level Opportunity | Real-World Investigations | Expert Training Provided
Automatic Promotion to Criminalist II

The Sheriff's Department is recruiting for Criminalists I who perform laboratory examinations of physical evidence in an attempt to establish facts of criminal investigations; participate in crime scene investigations by gathering, preserving, and examining physical evidence; testify in court as an expert witness; perform related duties as required.

Incumbents in the class of Criminalist I are eligible for promotion to Criminalist II upon meeting the minimum requirements and receiving a satisfactory work progress report. Employees must qualify for promotion within 24 months or be terminated.

For more detailed information, view the Criminalist I job description.

Note: Applications are also being accepted for Criminalist II , which requires a separate application. Refer to the job bulletin for minimum requirements and apply as appropriate.

EXCELLENT SALARY & BENEFITS!

This position offers full benefits and a c ompetitive salary range of

$68,348.80 - $91,686.40 Annually DOQ

Auto-promotion to Criminalist II - $132,371.20 A nnually

3% Annual Across the Board Salary Increases in February 2026
Bi-annual step increases of 2.5% up to Step 14

Benefits Overview

HEALTH BENEFITS

PAID TIME OFF

RETIREMENT PERKS

• Medical & Dental: Family Coverage
• Vision: Employee Coverage
• Premium subsidies to offset health costs
• Flexible Spending Account: Pre-tax account for qualified healthcare expenses

• Up to 4 weeks accruable vacation with cash-out option
• 11 days accruable sick leave
• 15 paid holidays
• Perfect Attendance Leave
• Flexible work schedules (in some departments)

• Generous pension
• Retirement reciprocity may be available!
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Medical Trust (RMT)

DCAP Account - County Paid Life Insurance - AD&D Insurance - 529 Savings Plan - Short & Long-Term Disability
Wellness Program - Commuter Services - Employee Discounts - Annual Tuition Reimbursement

For more Employee Benefits information, follow this link: General/Administrative Services Benefits Summary

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1) Background: Prior to appointment, applicants will be fingerprinted and must pass an extensive background investigation, including a polygraph examination. Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony.

2) Availability: This department is a "24/7" operation. Applicants must be available for all shifts, including mandatory overtime; refusal of assigned shift may result in removal from the list or termination. The incumbents will be required to work rotating, night, weekend, day, on call, and graveyard shifts, as well as holidays and weekends.
3) Physical: Incumbents conducting investigations in the field must be able to climb up and down embankments and hike over rough terrain.
4) Travel: Travel throughout the county is required; employees may be required to make provision for transportation. At the time of hire, a valid California class C driver license and proof of automobile liability insurance must be produced for the individual providing the transportation.
5) Sponsorship: Please note San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

*Salary increases contingent upon Property Related Revenue and/or statewide Sales Tax Collections performance.

Minimum Requirements

Education: A bachelor's degree (or higher) in a natural or physical science, criminalistics, or a closely related field is required (per ANAB accreditation standards).

Transcripts: A legible copy of your college transcripts that includes BOTH degree and coursework information must be attached to the application (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). Degree AND coursework information MUST be clearly listed on both the application AND transcripts ; otherwise your application will not be accepted.

Note: Criminal Justice courses are not acceptable.

DNA Option: Candidates interested in assignment to the DNA Unit of the laboratory must have passed the following courses, as required by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Quality Assurance Standards: Biochemistry , Genetics , Molecular Biology and either Statistics or Population Genetics .

Note: Qualifying degrees or coursework must be completed at a college or university accredited by any accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. Degrees or coursework completed outside the U.S. must be accompanied with an evaluation report from a reputable credential evaluation service showing equivalency to degrees or coursework completed at a college or university accredited by any accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. (Must be attached if applicable.) Use this link to obtain more information on evaluation services.

Selection Process

Examination : There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire. It is to your advantage to provide as much relevant and detailed work experience as possible, as resumes will not be reviewed in lieu of the application materials.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the results of the evaluation, may be referred to a selection interview.

Application Procedure : To be considered for this excellent opportunity, complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by the posted filing deadline. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records.

If you need technical assistance, review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

All communications regarding the selection process will be via email . Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, please follow this link to the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form to complete and submit your request within one week of the recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Information .

Please click HERE for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process .

Administrative Services Unit

The County of San Bernardino offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

For a summary of benefits, please click here .

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Benefits website for more detailed information at hr.sbcounty.gov/employee-benefits/ .

Closing Date/Time: 5/16/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• San Bernardino County

• 9093878304

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