Sheriff's Forensic Specialist
Apply NowCompany: County of San Luis Obispo, CA
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Description:
Salary : $83,928.00 - $107,120.00 Annually
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 0225PM-002594-01
Department: Sheriff-Coroner
Division: Sheriff-Coroner
Opening Date: 02/07/2025
Closing Date: 2/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
About the Position
The Sheriff's Office has an exciting opportunity to join their team of professionals as a Forensic Specialist.
The mission of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is to protect all life and property and to provide service, security, and safety to the community. The Forensic Specialist plays a vital role in this mission. Forensic Specialists respond to multiple crime scenes, including homicides, assaults with firearms, stabbings, suspicious deaths, and are integral in processing evidence in a laboratory setting, identifying latent prints and decedents, and testifying in court.
Please contact Coroner Sergeant John Penaflor (805-781-1526) for more information, to potentially coordinate a tour, or to be put in touch with one of our current Forensic Specialists.
Under general supervision, performs specialized investigative assignments in the collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence, and does other related work as required.
Click here, to learn more about the units and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.
Click here, to read the full job description for Sheriff's Forensic Specialist.
This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time.
The Ideal Candidate
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. and three years of experience with a government-operated law enforcement agency performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery and fingerprint identification.
Licenses and Certificates:
A valid driver's license is required at the time of application. A valid California driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Incumbents in the Sheriff's Forensic Specialist position will be exposed to information and situations that are often sensitive and shocking in nature, and indicative of crimes against public morality. Successful candidates must have the ability to effectively maintain their mental and emotional state when performing duties of this nature.
Background Check:
To accept a position with the Sheriff's Office, you must successfully complete a Sheriff's Background Investigation. Below is a partial list of offenses or issues that may disqualify you from successful completion. Please review the below list:
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.
Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
-Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED Certificate?
02
Please choose the option below which best describes your experience with a government-operated law enforcement agency performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery and fingerprint identification.
03
Please briefly describe experience you possess that relates to this position, specifically noting your experience with a government law enforcement agency or agencies performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery AND fingerprint identification.
Required Question
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 0225PM-002594-01
Department: Sheriff-Coroner
Division: Sheriff-Coroner
Opening Date: 02/07/2025
Closing Date: 2/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
About the Position
The Sheriff's Office has an exciting opportunity to join their team of professionals as a Forensic Specialist.
The mission of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is to protect all life and property and to provide service, security, and safety to the community. The Forensic Specialist plays a vital role in this mission. Forensic Specialists respond to multiple crime scenes, including homicides, assaults with firearms, stabbings, suspicious deaths, and are integral in processing evidence in a laboratory setting, identifying latent prints and decedents, and testifying in court.
Please contact Coroner Sergeant John Penaflor (805-781-1526) for more information, to potentially coordinate a tour, or to be put in touch with one of our current Forensic Specialists.
Under general supervision, performs specialized investigative assignments in the collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence, and does other related work as required.
Click here, to learn more about the units and divisions within the Sheriff's Office.
Click here, to read the full job description for Sheriff's Forensic Specialist.
This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time.
The Ideal Candidate
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D. and three years of experience with a government-operated law enforcement agency performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery and fingerprint identification.
Licenses and Certificates:
A valid driver's license is required at the time of application. A valid California driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
How to Apply
Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Incumbents in the Sheriff's Forensic Specialist position will be exposed to information and situations that are often sensitive and shocking in nature, and indicative of crimes against public morality. Successful candidates must have the ability to effectively maintain their mental and emotional state when performing duties of this nature.
Background Check:
To accept a position with the Sheriff's Office, you must successfully complete a Sheriff's Background Investigation. Below is a partial list of offenses or issues that may disqualify you from successful completion. Please review the below list:
- Any felony conviction
- Recent misdemeanor conviction, or any two misdemeanor convictions as an adult
- Poor employment history
- Any sale, manufacture, or cultivation of illegal drugs
- Recent use of illegal substances such as opiates, hallucinogens, injectables, cocaine, methamphetamine, or similar substance
- Poor driving record such as numerous hazardous traffic violations or chargeable accidents
- Recent conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or any two convictions for this offense as an adult
- Any act of domestic violence, as defined by law
- Any crime committed against a child
- Behavior or derogatory remarks constituting discrimination or bias toward others based on their race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other protected class
- Any material misstatement of fact or intentional omission of information during the application or background process
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.
Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
-Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED Certificate?
- Yes
- No
02
Please choose the option below which best describes your experience with a government-operated law enforcement agency performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery and fingerprint identification.
- Less than 1 year
- 1 - 2 years
- 3 - 4 years
- 5 - 6 years
- 7 - 8 years
- 9 - 10 years
- More than 10 years
03
Please briefly describe experience you possess that relates to this position, specifically noting your experience with a government law enforcement agency or agencies performing crime scene investigations, photographic duties, collection of evidence, fingerprint recovery AND fingerprint identification.
Required Question