Criminalist I/II - Controlled Substances/Toxicology (Open and Promotional)

Full Job Description

The County of San Mateo's Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory, which is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board in both Testing and Calibration, is seeking to fill a Criminalist I/II position within its Controlled Substances and Toxicology Sections, which includes participation in crime scene examination.

The Forensic Laboratory was constructed in March 2003 and is located in San Mateo, California.

It is managed by a civilian Laboratory Director who is currently supported by three Supervising Criminalists, one Legal Office Services Supervisor, 28 Criminalists and technicians, two Legal Office Specialists, and two Property Officers.

The Criminalist will report to a Supervising Criminalist and will analyze evidence seized in the course of criminal investigations, providing laboratory analysis and expert witness testimony in the areas of seized drug analysis, toxicology (blood alcohol and breath alcohol) and driving under the influence (DUI) interpretation.

They may participate in validation studies of new technology and methods for use in casework, cold case investigations, internal audits, and guiding our intern program.

Also, on a rotational basis, they will respond with a partner to investigate crime scenes for homicides and officer-involved critical incidents.

To learn more about the department, visit: https://www.smcsheriff.com/multi-jurisdictional-division/forensic-laboratory.The ideal candidate will:

• Be an experienced toxicologist, seized drug analyst, or laboratory chemist dedicated to staying abreast of changes within the forensic industry.
• Have knowledge/experience in blood alcohol analysis, breath alcohol analysis, and DUI interpretation.
• Have knowledge/experience in the analysis of controlled substances.
• Have a baccalaureate or an advanced degree in a chemical, physical, or biological science or forensic science.
• Be experienced in using a wide variety of equipment and instrumentation, including gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy.
• Have courtroom testimony experience.

Additional emphasis will be placed upon the following professional and personal attributes:

• Demonstrated project management proficiency, effective planning, organizing, and prioritization skills.
• Self-starter who is motivated and capable of demonstrating measurable work results in a timely manner.
• Ability to function with minimal supervision.
• Ability to persuasively communicate ideas and goals and effectively motivate others to achieve those goals.
• Strategic thinking and planning.
• Understanding of current forensic technology and experience in the collection of biological fluids and other physical evidence at crime scenes.

There is currently one vacancy in the Sheriff’s Office. Depending on qualifications, the vacancy may be filled at the Criminalist I or Criminalist II level.

NOTE: A 2.5% pay differential is also given for IAI Crime Scene Certification and an additional 5.0% for the ABC, ABT, AFTE or IAI Latent Print Certification.

The maximum allowable certification differential is 7.5%.

The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, limited term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Examine and identify controlled substances using chemical and instrumental techniques.
• Perform quantitative alcohol analysis on blood and urine samples.
• Perform maintenance and calibration procedures on evidential breath alcohol testing instrumentation.
• Instruct officers in the operation of breath alcohol testing instrumentation.
• Analyze and interpret reported driving patterns, field sobriety test (FST) results, and objective signs and symptoms in conjunction with a chemical test result for alcohol in either breath or blood.
• Prepare evidence for presentation in court and testify as an expert witness on the results of laboratory analysis.
• Engage in crime scene examination of major crime scenes; identify, document, and collect physical evidence.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to respond to major crime scenes; each one-week on-call rotation repeats approximately every eight weeks.
• Take photographs.
• Participate in public relations activities such as conducting tours of the Laboratory and speaking to various interested groups.
• Care for and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Criminalist I ($49.85-$62.26/hr.): Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in criminalistics, chemistry or a related physical science.

Criminalist II ($62.06-$77.56/hr.): Three years of experience in the practice of criminalistics, which has included experience in collecting, analyzing and evaluating physiological fluids, controlled substances and other physical evidence gathered from crime scenes.

Knowledge of:

• Current forensic methods and techniques used in the analysis and evalua­tion of physical evidence likely to be used in a court case.
• Principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and physiology.
• Common types of controlled substances, as defined by the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of the Health and Safety Code.
• Various types of equipment found in a forensic laboratory.
• Courtroom procedures and testimony.
• Recent developments, literature, and sources of information relative to criminalistics.
• Principles of photography.

Skill/Ability to:

• Performing physical and chemical tests commonly used in the analysis of physical evidence.
• Using a wide variety of equipment including microscopes and cameras.
• Understanding and carrying out detailed, highly technical oral and written instructions.
• Communicating verbally.
• Writing clear, concise reports and correspondence.

Other Requirements:

• Participate in the Laboratory's on-call, crime scene rotation schedule.
• Pass a detailed background investigation and pre-employment medical exam prior to appointment.

Additional Information

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to supplemental questions are required and must be submitted in addition to the Standard San Mateo County employment application. A resume or reference to a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions or as a substitute for your application.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview, which may include a pre-interview exercise (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:
Final Filing Date: Friday, March 13, 2026 by 11:59 PM PST
Applicant Screening: Week of March 23, 2026
Panel Interviews: Week of April 13, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.

The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.