Job Description

OPPORTUNITY

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Closing Date: 11/06/2025 at 5 PM

Interview Date: TBD

This recruitment is for one full-time Criminalistics Technician I or Criminalistics Technician II and may be filled at either level depending on education and experience.

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees, an annual budget of approximately $291.4 million and serves approximately 112,208 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

WHAT WE DO:

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The Criminalistics Technician I/II position is an individual contributor role that provides professional support assistance to police officers/detectives during investigations by processing crime scenes and conducting laboratory work. The Criminalistics Technician I/II supports investigations in a number of ways, including: photo-documentation (crime scenes, victims/suspects, and evidence),attending autopsies, creating crime scene diagrams, collecting evidence (DNA, biological, trace, physical, etc.), latent search examination/comparisons, chemical/physical processing of evidence, processing firearm evidence, writing detailed reports of field/lab work completed, providing courtroom testimony, and providing professional support to outside law enforcement agencies.



The role of the Criminalistics Technician I/II enables more efficient investigation of crimes to give victims and the public peace of mind and a sense of trust in the high-quality safety services offered by the Santa Maria Police Department Crime Lab Unit.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Highly motivated and driven team player

Maintain composure in difficult situations/work well under pressure

Flexible and adapt to changing work environment

Clear and concise communication skills

Confident and positive attitude

Working experience with chemical processing of evidence in a laboratory setting

Detail oriented

Spanish speaking skills are highly desirable but not required*

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:

Criminalistics Technician

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Due upon application:
+ Cover letter
+ Resume

DUTIES

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Under general direction of assigned supervisor, performs a variety of complex and technical identification work within the Crime Laboratory. This classification may be flexibly staffed at the discretion of the Department Director. Responds to after-normal workday or irregular and on-call emergency requests on nights, weekends, and holidays. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees, or special projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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Criminalistics Technician I + Ideally, one year of experience in photography and photography laboratory work, fingerprinting, and crime scene investigation is desirable

or

+ One year of experience with a law enforcement agency during which photography, photography laboratory work, fingerprinting, and crime scene investigation procedures were being carried out as a sworn officer

or

+ One year of experience as a combination identification technician/sworn officer; and
+ Graduation from high school.
+ An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Criminalistics Technician II + Ideally, four years of professional experience with crime scene investigation, fingerprint, and crime lab work for a law enforcement agency (preferably California); and
+ Graduation from high school, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
+ Additional college or university coursework in forensics is desired.
+ Employees may be considered for a level II advancement after completion of two years in their current assignment, at the Department Director discretion.
Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as: + Law enforcement as they apply to the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence; fingerprinting; interviewing and interrogation techniques.
+ Produce clear and illustrative photography under a variety of conditions.
+ Perform laboratory related tasks.
+ Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
+ Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
+ Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
Possession of licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as + Membership in the International Association for Identification (IAI) is desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Individual Contributor:

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

SELECTION PROCESS

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In addition to your completed application, a cover letter and resume are required as part of the application process. If a cover letter & resume are not attached, your application will be considered incomplete.



The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to an interview will be notified electronically at the email address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Criminalistics Technician may be selected. This recruitment may also establish an eligibility list for future Criminalistics Technician openings.



Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.

Retirement

The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.

Health Insurance

Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO's) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.



The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Vision Insurance

Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees' taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Employee Assistance Program

The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through AETNA for all full and part time employees and their eligible dependents. The confidential EAP program can refer employees to professional counselors and services that can help resolve emotional health, family and work-life issues, or provide help with childcare and eldercare assistance, financial and legal services, identity theft recovery services and daily living services.

Wellness Program

Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The City's Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work.



Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.

Mentorship Program

This professional development program of mentoring and job shadowing provides mentees with an opportunity to be mentored by experienced staff with the objective of developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the participants' leadership skills and promote professional growth.

Succession Planning

The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may participate in the City's 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.

The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).

Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)

Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.

Holidays

The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employee's discretion.

Vacation

The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.

Sick Leave

Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.

Management Leave

Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.

Educational Incentive Program

In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.

Tuition Reimbursement

Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.

Auto Allowance

Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.

Telephone/PDA Stipend

Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.

Bilingual Pay

Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.