CHIEF FORENSIC LABORATORIES

Position/Program Information

EXAM NUMBER:

P4358A-R

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

We welcome applications from everyone!

FILING PERIOD:
The application filing period will begin on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 , at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous.
We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

ABOUT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER:
The Department of Medical Examiner investigates and determines the circumstances, manners and cause of all violent, sudden or unusual deaths occurring within the County.

Each year approximately 18,000 cases are reported to the Department, of which about half fall within its jurisdiction. We conduct about 5,700 autopsies per year, making it one of the largest medical and most technologically sophisticated examiner’s offices in the world, due to the complexity of cases investigated, including numerous high-profile cases.

SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION:
This position is subject to the provisions of the Management Appraisal of Performance Plan (MAPP). Initial salary placement and subsequent salary adjustments will be made in accordance with MAPP guidelines and regulations.

Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits!
The County of Los Angeles offers an excellent benefits package that includes a Cafeteria Benefit Plan, Contributory Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, Deferred Compensation & Thrift Plans, and 13 paid Holidays. Click here to see a list of employee benefits.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

WHAT YOU WILL DO!
As Chief, Forensic Laboratories , you will lead and have direct charge of the Forensic Laboratory Division.

Essential Job Functions

• Directs the administrative and technical activities of all laboratory personnel, including those involved in chemical and physical analysis.
• Coordinates the activities of the division with other laboratories, legal and law enforcement agencies, the courts, and scientific associations.
• Directs and participates in researching new methods, procedures, and techniques for scientific medico-legal investigations.
• Oversees the development and implementation of training programs for laboratory personnel.
• Prepares the division's budget, including requests for personnel, equipment, supplies, or facility modifications.
• Manages the grant administration process, including identifying funding opportunities; overseeing the development and writing of grant proposals and applications; monitoring grant spending; ensuring compliance with all terms and conditions of grants and funding agencies; and overseeing grant closeout procedures.
• Ensures the division's compliance with accreditation standards in accordance with established policies and procedures for ongoing quality improvement.
• Reviews and approves written findings that are subject to legal proceedings; testifies findings as established by laboratory analyses; and interprets findings as an expert witness.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:
OPTION I:
A Doctorate degree* from an accredited college with specialization in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, criminalistics, physics, or biology AND two (2) years of experience supervising personnel in a forensic sciences laboratory**.
-OR-
OPTION II:
A Master's degree* from an accredited college with specialization in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, criminalistics, physics, or biology AND three (3) years of experience supervising personnel in a forensic sciences laboratory**.
-OR-
OPTION III:
A Bachelor’s degree* from an accredited college or university with specialization in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, criminalistics, physics, or biology AND four (4) years of experience supervising personnel in a forensic sciences laboratory as a Supervising Criminalist I *** within the County of Los Angeles.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
An active and valid certification in one (1) of the following certification(s) is required within two (2) years of appointment:

• A valid and active certification in toxicology by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT); or
• A valid and active certification in toxicology by the National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC); or
• A valid and active toxicological chemistry certification by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework, certification, and/or license, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization, and/or a legible copy of the official certificate and/or license at the time of filing or within 7 calendar days from the date of filing application. Please submit documentation to ealcazar@hr.lacounty.gov and indicate your name, the exam name, and the exam number.

**We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.**Experience supervising personnel in a forensic sciences laboratory is defined as responsibility for planning, directing, and reviewing the work of laboratory staff engaged in evidence processing and analysis. It includes assigning and evaluating work, conducting performance appraisals, participating in hiring, providing training, and ensuring compliance with quality assurance and accreditation standards.

*** Supervising Criminalist I: To qualify under Option III, applicants must have County status as a Supervising Criminalist I as evidenced by holding such payroll title for the required period of time.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
The following are desirable qualifications and will not be used to establish the final list or specialized secondary lists for this position.

• Experience in the application of statutory requirements, rules and regulations, principles and practices, concepts, theories, and limitations of methods associated with Forensic Science.
• Ability to manage complex organizational projects.
• Experience developing short and long-term planning strategies to improve the quality and efficiency of a forensics laboratory operation.
• Experience in the analysis and interpretation of medico-legal investigation and physical evidence in scientific investigations, including experience reviewing and interpreting analytical data and rendering opinions to medical staff, law enforcement, and the courts based on laboratory findings.
• Experience testifying in court as an expert witness regarding laboratory operations, physical evidence, forensic results, scientific analysis, and case knowledge.
• Experience compiling statistical data, writing scientific reports and rendering technical reports of findings and the ability to use current and modern job-related office and laboratory equipment.
• Experience representing an organization during laboratory accreditation inspections by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLAD/LAB).

WITHHOLD INFORMATION:
No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience and education must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.

ENDORSEMENT OF COUNTY QUALIFICATIONS:
If you performed work that differs from the duties described in your class specification and believe you qualify for this opportunity, please provide verification via official documentation of additional responsibility bonus, out-of-class bonus, temporary assignment bonus or reclassification study with CEO Classification within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. Employees do not need to submit such verification if they hold or have held a position that regularly performs functions in alignment with the requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Class 2 - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Additional Information

OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

EXAMINATION CONTENT

This examination will consist of two (2) parts:

Part I: Multiple Choice and Simulation Assessments, weighted 50% , measuring:

• Achieving Work Goals
• Adapting and Responding to Change
• Adhering to Principles
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
• Deciding & Initiating Action
• Delivering Results
• Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Leading & Supervising
• Persuading and Influencing
• Relating & Networking

MULTIPLE-CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENT(S) ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

Part II: An Evaluation of Training & Experience, weighted 50%, measuring:

• Professional/Technical Expertise
• Knowledge of grants
• Budget Management
• Continual Learning
• Managing Performance
• Developing Others

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE COMBINED SCORE OF PARTS I AND II IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE REGISTER.

ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing grade in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of 12 months following the date of promulgation.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Any

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.

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.

• ealcazar@hr.lacounty.gov
• info@governmentjobs.com
• talentcentral@shl.com
• noreply@proctoru.com
• donot-reply@amcatmail.com

Note: 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 governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

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

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION ( ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

TESTING ACCOMMODATION:

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Have any questions about anything listed above? Please contact:

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: Erika Alcazar
Department Contact Email: EAlcazar@hr.lacounty.gov

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

Show more