Crime Scene Investigator II

Contra Costa County; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career long learning and training opportunities

Work with cutting-edge forensic technologies

Job summary

A governmental agency in California is seeking a Crime Scene Investigator II to join its Forensic Services Division. The role involves documenting and collecting evidence from crime scenes, requiring attention to detail and the ability to work under stressful conditions. Candidates must have an associate's degree and at least two years of related experience. This is an important position that directly impacts community safety and justice, offering opportunities for professional development and career growth.

Qualifications

• Possession of a California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Two years in a law enforcement agency focusing on evidence handling.
• Ability to pass a respiratory physical and clear to wear an air purifying respirator.

Responsibilities

• Document and preserve crime scene evidence.
• Operate scientific equipment and complex computer systems.
• Create detailed crime scene notes and prepare written reports.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Critical Thinking

Professional Integrity & Ethics

Teamwork

Oral Communication

Education

Associate’s degree with coursework in English Composition, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology

Tools

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Job description

Overview

Why Join Contra Costa County - Office of The Sheriff?

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is the largest law enforcement agency in Contra Costa with over 1,100 sworn and professional employees dedicated to providing the highest level of law enforcement and customer services. The Office of the Sheriff strives to maintain the highest standard of professional integrity and ethics, pursuing excellence in performance throughout the organization and in the community through the quality of its personnel.

We are currently seeking to fill one (1) Crime Scene Investigator II vacancy in the Forensic Services Division (FSD).

Crime Scene Investigator II’s identify, collect, and preserve crime scene evidence, analyze evidence, prepare reports, testify in legal proceedings and perform other laboratory-related work as required. This is the journey-level class in the Crime Scene Investigator Series. Incumbents in this class handle the more difficult and complex scenes and evidence collection and documentation tasks and may provide guidance, technical assistance, or training to crime scene investigators and law enforcement. This position may involve on-call responsibilities for crime scene response and processing.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is committed to honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct
• Understands the importance of quality, impartiality, confidentiality, efficiency, and effectiveness in conducting forensic work
• Is detail-oriented, diligent, and results-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Is able to maintain focus and exhibits stable performance under stress or opposition
• Is able to learn new techniques, manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and follow established policies and instructions
• Is able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team while demonstrating adaptability and professionalism

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Documenting, preserving, and collecting crime scene evidence
• Operating scientific equipment and instrumentation, as well as complex computer systems and databases
• Working cooperatively with sworn and civilian members of law enforcement agencies
• Creating detailed crime scene notes and examining crime scene evidence in accordance with established procedures
• Preparing written reports and testifying regarding findings, as required
• Providing training to law enforcement personnel, as assigned

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work with a dedicated team of professionals in an environment that provides career long learning and training opportunities
• You will have the personal satisfaction that comes from applying your knowledge and skills in a field that directly benefits communities through service to the criminal justice system
• You will have the ability to work with cutting-edge forensic technologies
• You will have the opportunity to learn about multiple forensic disciplines

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be expected to respond to crime scenes and autopsies, including being called-out to crime scenes in the middle of the night
• You will work in a stressful environment that includes prioritizing multiple assignments with competing deadlines and encountering disturbing information about crimes
• You may be asked to work overtime to meet the needs of our customers
• You will be asked to handle firearms and biological evidence
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Leading Cross-Divisional Collaboration: Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue

The eligible list established from this recruitment process may be valid for six (6) months.

To read the complete job description, please read the website: www.cccounty.us/hr

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. Out of state valid motor vehicle driver’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, GED equivalency, or a high school proficiency certificate. Completion of an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university which included coursework in (1) English Composition or Report Writing; (2) Mathematics or Statistics and (3) Chemistry or Biology (which must have included a laboratory section).

Experience: Two (2) years in a law enforcement agency where the primary duties of the position included the identification, collection and preservation of evidence. Responsibilities must have included writing crime scene reports and testifying in court as an expert witness.

Physical Requirement: Ability to pass a respiratory physical and be medically cleared to wear an air purifying respirator.

Visual Requirement: No deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.

Background: As determined by a thorough background investigation conducted by the Office of the Sheriff, shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state.

Official transcripts may be requested at any stage of the recruitment process to verify educational requirements.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attach unofficial transcripts with their application.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience handling firearms and biological evidence
• Experience working with Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Experience working in an accredited laboratory environment, including those operating under ISO/IEC 17020 or ISO/IEC 17025

Selection Process

• Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants must complete a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated to determine which candidates will advance to the next phase of the recruitment. Applications must be submitted online at www.cccounty.us/hr by the filing deadline.
• Multiple Choice Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online multiple-choice assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. These may include but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Professional & Technical Expertise, Attention to Detail & Professional Integrity & Ethics, Safety Focus and Oral Communication. (Weight: 100%)The multiple choice assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely): 2/2/26 - 2/7/26
• Departmental Interview: The department will contact all referred individuals estimated February 2026

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

All of the above information is subject to change and is provided for informational purposes only.

Conviction History

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

Disaster Service Worker:

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.