| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Salary | $167,276.88–$260,149.44 Per Year |
CRIME LABORATORY DIRECTOR, SHERIFF
Salary
$167,276.88 - $260,149.44 Annually
Location
Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type
Full time
Job Number
J4343D
Department
SHERIFF
Opening Date
10/28/2026
Position/Program Information
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
We welcome applications from everyone.
FILING PERIOD:
The application filing period will begin on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 8:00 A.M. (PT) - Continuous.
We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified applicants.
EXAM NUMBER:
J4343D
SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION
This position is subject to the provisions of the Management Appraisal of Performance Plan (MAPP). Initial salary placement and subsequent salary adjustments will be made in accordance with MAPP guidelines and regulations.
Check Out Our Outstanding Benefits
Los Angeles County offers one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the nation.
https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/
Why work for us?
With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.
The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.
Essential Job Functions
Reviews, revises, and establishes laboratory policies and procedures to ensure the laboratory meets quality standards and maintains accreditation.
Provides overall technical and administrative direction to the Scientific Services Bureau.
Develops, implements, and tracks compliance with operating policies for the bureau.
Evaluates forensic science procedures and approves adoption of new methods.
Directs research into new methods, procedures, and techniques of scientific criminal investigation.
Establishes and maintains working relationships with other units within the Sheriff's Department, other law enforcement agencies, the District Attorneys Office, Office of Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, Superior Courts, other criminal justice agencies, and municipal, state and federal forensic science organizations.
Consults with police officers, attorneys, judges, private experts, and scientific associations on the solution of problems involving forensic science matters.
Reviews employees' grievances or conducts investigations that can be resolved at the bureau level or forwards to higher divisional/regional executive for further action; recommends and implements discipline; and provides guidance/mentoring to correct deficiencies.
Develops employees to prepare them for higher level positions to meet the staffing needs of the bureau.
Ensures the bureaus activities comply with the law, scientific standards and best practices, Departmental rules and regulations, and established law enforcement practices and procedures.
Ensures the bureau operates within budgetary limitations, including overtime expenditures, and meets grant and contractual obligations.
Takes immediate charge of bureau activities at the scene of a major emergency or in the event of an unusually complex problem.
For more information, please view the classification specification: Crime Laboratory Director, Sheriff.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree* or higher in chemistry, criminalistics, biology, biochemistry, toxicology or other closely related field -AND- five years of experience in forensic science, including two years of administrative responsibility in the form of program management, budget planning and preparation, and personnel selection in a forensic science laboratory at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff.
APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF FILING. NO WITHHOLDS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THIS EXAMINATION.
LICENSE
A valid California Class C Driver License or can use an alternate method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential duties.
Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION
The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf. (Download PDF reader).
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to sheriffexamsunit@lasd.org.
For a full description of the class specification of Los Angeles Countys class Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff (Item #4341), please click on the hyperlink on the job title under Requirements OR go to the Department of Human Resources website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/ and type the job title or item number under "FIND JOB DESCRIPTIONS" search box.
You may still qualify even if your job title isnt exactly the same as the one listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level - meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Credit will be given to applicants who possess DESIRABLE qualifications as indicated on their application at the time of filing.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
As part of this application process, applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The questionnaire contains a pre-investigative questionnaire which will be utilized as part of the background investigation process to ensure applicants meet the standards set forth by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Applicants who fail the pre-investigative questionnaire will be disqualified and will have to wait three (3) months from the date of the disqualification in order to reapply.
Additional Information
EXAMINATION CONTENT
PART I:
This examination will consist of a Structured Interview worth 70% assessing:
APPLICANTS MUST RECEIVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PART I TO PROCEED TO PART II.
PART II:
An evaluation of training and experience based on application information and desirable qualifications worth 30%.
APPLICANTS MUST RECEIVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON EACH WEIGHTED PART OF THE EXAMINATION TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.
TESTING ACCOMMODATION
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the examination process, you will be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation. Please note, you will be contacted at a later time by a Sheriffs Department representative that will guide you through the process. You will be provided with an initial deadline to submit documentation. Failure to submit the required documentation by the deadline will delay your participation in the examination process and consideration for initial placement on the eligible list.
VETERANS CREDIT
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veterans credit, which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your form DD214 to review, so please include that with your application or email it to the exam analyst at sheriffexamsunit@lasd.org as soon as possible so, if you are eligible for veterans credit, we can include it before the list is available.
ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION
Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Technology and Support Division, Scientific Services Bureau.
NO PERSON MAY COMPETE IN THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWELVE (12) MONTHS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING FINGERPRINT SEARCH. Examples of disqualifying factors include: Any felony convictions; job related misdemeanor convictions; certain serious traffic convictions or patterns of traffic violations (3 moving violations in one year; failure to appear; at fault accidents; suspended license; driving under the influence); poor credit history; poor employment history; substance abuse; anyone on probation.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY IF HIRED
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (Department) has a "zero tolerance" policy for its employees for the following:
Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to discharge.
AVAILABLE SHIFT Any Shift
APPOINTEES MUST BE WILLING TO WORK ANY SHIFT, INCLUDING EVENINGS, NIGHTS WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates. Your application and supplemental questionnaire must be submitted electronically before 5:00 P.M., PT, on the last day of filing.
Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employers name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.
Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.
We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is required that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicants responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.
New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to www.governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.
NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OUTSIDE THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FILING PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS.
TO ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED, YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL AS VERIFICATION.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCES AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
For applicants who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
NO SHARING OF USER ID, EMAIL, AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their application using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friends user ID and password may erase a candidates original application record.
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) 229-1621
Teletype Phone: (213) 626-0251
Department Contact Name: Professional Examinations Unit
Department Contact Phone: (323) 526-5611
Department Contact Email: sheriffexamsunit@lasd.org
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran's Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran's credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf
Revised September 2025
For detailed information, please click here
01
The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. CHECK YOUR ANSWERS CAREFULLY. Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying experience and education. Be as specific as possible and include all information requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response. Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification including the listed Examples of Duties and/or Essential Job Functions serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE RESPONSE AND NO CREDIT WILL BE AWARDED. All information is subject to verification at any time in the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments.
02
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education in the fields of Chemistry, Criminalistics, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology or other closely related field?
03
I understand that if I expect to qualify and receive credit for the required degree for this position, I must submit proof of my education such as a legible copy of my official degree, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization, and date degree was conferred.
Documents may be submitted either by 1) attaching directly to my application at the time of submission, or 2) emailing any outstanding required documents to sheriffexamsunit@lasd.org, or 3) faxing my outstanding documents to (323) 415-2580 at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of the application filing. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted to meet the educational requirements.
04
Which of the following best describes your experience in Forensic Science?
05
Describe your experience in Forensic Science.
NOTE: For each experience, please indicate the following information:
Name of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY) - Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Describe experience in detail
If you do not have any experience in this area, please type "DOES NOT APPLY." Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification of your application. (Also, you must indicate your experience on your APPLICATION.)
06
How many years of experience do you have at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing administrative responsibility in the form of program management?
07
Describe your experience at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing administrative responsibility in the form of program management.
NOTE: For each experience, please indicate the following information:
Name of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY) - Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Describe experience in detail
If you do not have any experience in this area, please type "DOES NOT APPLY." Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification of your application. (Also, you must indicate your experience on your APPLICATION.)
08
How many years of experience do you have at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing budget planning and preparation?
09
Describe your experience at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing budget planning and preparation.
NOTE: For each experience, please indicate the following information:
Name of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY) - Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Describe experience in detail If you do not have any experience in this area, please type "DOES NOT APPLY." Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification of your application. (Also, you must indicate your experience on your APPLICATION.)
10
How many years of experience do you have at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing personnel selection?
11
Describe your experience at the level of Crime Laboratory Assistant Director, Sheriff in a forensic science laboratory performing personnel selection. NOTE: For each experience, please indicate the following information:
Name of Employer
Position/Title Held
Date From: (MM/DD/YYYY) - Date To: (MM/DD/YYYY)
Describe experience in detail
If you do not have any experience in this area, please type "DOES NOT APPLY." Failure to provide ALL the requested information above may result in disqualification of your application. (Also, you must indicate your experience on your APPLICATION.)
12
Do you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the examination process? In order to be considered for the initial promulgation, make sure to submit all required documentation by the initial deadline. Submitting the required documentation past the given deadline will delay your participation in the examination process and consideration for placement on the initial eligible list.
13
Applicants have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is the applicants responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notifications to be a valid reason for a late test administration or re-scheduling.
14
How did you learn about this position?
15
WARNING: This pre-investigative questionnaire is part of the background investigation. It is used to determine an applicants suitability for service within the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD). All information provided is considered confidential. A candidates information will only be disclosed to an assigned background investigator if he/she is deemed suitable for the job based on the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department hiring guidelines. Answer the following questions honestly and thoroughly, as your responses will be used to determine whether or not you can proceed with the hiring process. Your responses to the following questions will be subject to verification.
Do you understand this information?
16
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (Department) has a "zero tolerance" policy for its employees for the following: Use of narcotics, controlled substances, and/or prescription drugs without a prescription. Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to discharge.
17
The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) employees must adhere to the departments policies regarding appearance. Hair should be clean and well groomed. Tattoos upon the neck, face or head are prohibited. Beards are not allowed for employees who wear any type of uniform; mustaches must be trimmed and neat; jewelry must be minimally observable. A uniform or professional attire is required while on duty. Are you willing to comply with all the grooming, appearance policies, procedures, and standards of the LASD?
18
Do you understand you will be subject to a thorough background investigation and a medical examination, if applicable?
19
Are you currently on criminal probation?
20
Are you currently on criminal parole?
21
Have you ever been convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or any DUI-related crimes? If "yes", when was the last incident/arrest date?
22
Have you ever used any illegal drug (methamphetamine, heroin, speed, cocaine, ecstasy, PCP, hallucinogens, etc.) OTHER than marijuana? If "yes", when was the last time?
23
Have you ever used methamphetamine? If "yes", how many times?
24
Have you ever used heroin? If "yes", how many times?
25
Have you ever used speed? If "yes", how many times?
26
Have you ever used cocaine? If "yes", how many times?
27
Have you ever used ecstasy? If "yes", how many times?
28
Have you ever used PCP? If "yes", how many times?
29
Have you ever used hallucinogens? If "yes", how many times?
30
By answering the previous questions, you acknowledge that any false statements or omissions in this questionnaire will cause you to be disqualified, removed from an eligibility list, or be cause for immediate dismissal, if any appointment is or will be made at a later time.
Required Question
Employer County of Los Angeles
Address
Los Angeles, California, 90010
Website http://hr.lacounty.gov