Forensic Specialist I

Salary : $5,523.00 - $7,049.00 Monthly

Location : Salinas Police Services Headquarters, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 25-00626

Department : Police

Opening Date : 02 / 21 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 14 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list for future openings in the classification.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule :

Recruitment closes : March 14, 2025

Written exam : Week of March 31, 2025

Department interview : Week of April 7, 2025

Please note that these are tentative dates and are subject to change. The written exam is proctored in-person.

Special Instructions : All applicants must submit proof of education with their application. You must provide a copy of your high school diploma, GED certificate, unofficial college transcript, or copy of a college degree via the application submittal. Applications without the required documentation will be considered incomplete.

Summary of Duties : Under the direct supervision of the Criminalist, performs examinations of physical evidence to determine origin and significance in a criminal investigation. Prepares reports of findings, assists in criminal investigations, present expert testimony in court and perform related duties as required.

Forensic Specialist I : This is an entry-level position in the Forensic Specialist series. Incumbents in this class receive training in order to perform assigned duties and perform work that is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion.

Essential Job Functions

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Retrieves evidence from property control, Medical Examiner's Office or from other custodians following established chain of custody procedures.
• Obtains and preserves physical evidence at crime scenes.
• Conducts crime scene investigations to recover, document and collect all relevant physical and biological evidence.
• Photographs crime scene, evidence and related subject matter and identification photos.
• Performs laboratory analysis of physical evidence in one or more of the specialty labs.
• Processes and collects fingerprints as evidence.
• Operates the Automated Fingerprint Identification System to identify possible suspects.
• Operates Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) equipment.
• Examine and test firearms, examines ballistic evidence for unique characteristics.
• Operates crime scene mapping equipment.
• Prepares physical evidence for court.
• Searches files for a wide variety of police information.
• Complete reports on the results of physical evidence investigations.
• Assists in maintenance of criminal records, fingerprints, and related records.
• Subject to a schedule that may include, call back, on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.
• Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of :

Skill in :

Ability to :

Education and Experience :

Forensic Specialist I :

License or Certificate : A California State Driver's License. Obtain an approved P.O.S.T. Basic Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction certificate within twelve months of appointment. An 832 P.C. certificate is desirable. Must maintain all required certification during term of employment.

Other Requirements :

Positions within the Police Department require an extensive background investigation and criminal background check. Employment offers are contingent upon passing the above requirements.

Supplemental Information

Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, type, use telephone, two-way radio, computer, examination and control of firearms; see well enough to drive vehicles, read small print on documents and maps, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone and two-way radio conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard at fifty feet of distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push / pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, climb over obstacles. Physical mobility sufficient to move in and out of a vehicle. Occasionally lift more than 50 pounds, repetitively lift up to 30 pounds; physical stamina sufficient to sit and drive for prolonged periods of time, to carry 20 pounds of equipment worn on the body for ten hour shifts and to repetitively move in and out of a vehicle several times per shift; mental acuity and alertness to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw rapid valid conclusions, make rapid valid judgments and decisions.

Working Conditions :

A combination of outdoor work, moving in and out of a vehicle for an entire shift. Subject to various weather conditions, heat, rain, fog evening and day shifts. Exposure to strong unpleasant odors, infectious biohazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen that may cause chronic disease or death; dust, pollens, chemical irritants and toxic substances. Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or standing at a counter for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing / pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Handle firearms either loaded or unloaded in the in the field and lab and test firing of firearms in the firing range. May be subjected to verbal and physical abusive behavior, threats, insults, and be in contact with persons that carry weapons and communicable diseases. Will be required to drive a variety of vehicles, which may include patrol cars, crime scene support vehicles and mobile command post. Subject to a schedule that may include, call back, on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Veteran's Preference : A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker : In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process : Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and / or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.Finalist interview / assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

Equal Opportunity Employer : The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and / or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.

Salary Steps : The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)

For a complete listing of benefits, please click to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.

As an applicant with the Salinas Police Department, you are required to complete this Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The information in this form will be used during the pre-employment screening process in determining your suitability for the position. It is your responsibility to complete this form and provide the required information. You must respond to all questions. Applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or disability related information. Answers are also subject to verification by polygraph and / or medical examination including but not limited to, a drug screening. Any false statements or omissions on this form can and often will result in you being removed from the hiring process, the withdrawal of any conditional offer, or be considered for immediate dismissal if an appointment is made. Please acknowledge that you have read the above statement.

Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past three years?

Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs two or more times?

Have you been convicted of two or more misdemeanor offenses under California law in the past three years?

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for Domestic Violence?

Have you used or illegally possessed any hallucinogenic, including Ecstasy, within the past seven years?

Excluding cannabis, have you used or possessed any drug not mentioned above, including cocaine and other prescription drugs not prescribed to you, within the past three years?

As an adult, have you ever manufactured or cultivated any drug or illegal substance?

In the last 12 months have you been informed that you have unsuccessfully completed a background investigation with the City of Salinas Police Department?

Did you attach proof of education to your application? Applications will be considered incomplete without the required document.

How many years of experience in evidence collection, public safety, code enforcement, inspection or other related public contact experience do you possess?

Please tell us about your experience in in evidence collection, public safety, code enforcement, inspection or other related public contact.

How did you hear about this recruitment?

Required Question

Salary : $5,523 - $7,049