MONTHLY SALARY

$4072 to $5056, $5328 to $6619, and $5598 to $6954 Appointments from the eligible list are usually made to the lowest pay grade. However, candidates with at least 18 months of full-time paid professional experience as a Criminalist (Forensic Chemist) may be considered for appointment to the second pay grade.

A Criminalist searches for, collects and preserves physical evidence in the investigation of crime and suspected criminals; examines evidence by means of physical and chemical analyses; prepares reports of findings; and gives expert testimony in court. At the highest pay grade, performs analyses of physical and chemical evidence of a nonroutine nature requiring advanced technology; and may serve as a lead worker by providing training and supervision to criminalists working in a specialized field.

A Criminalist is subject to call at any hour and may work under unpleasant and adverse conditions, including high places, dangerous locations, and in proximity to dead bodies and biological and chemical hazards, in order to investigate crime scenes.

THE REQUIREMENTS

1. Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with a major in a physical or natural science and successful completion of 8 semester or 12 quarter units in general chemistry and 3 semester or 4 quarter units in quantitative analysis in chemistry (list required courses in Box 34 on the application and include course titles, schools, unit values and completion dates).
2. Full-time paid experience as a Criminalist (Forensic Chemist) may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to a maximum of two years of the required education, but successful completion of the specific courses listed in Requirement #1 must still be met; and
3. A qualifying score on the Criminalist qualifying written test; and
4. Submission of the Criminalist Supplemental Training and Experience Questionnaire and the City application form at the time of filing.

Candidates currently enrolled in their final semester or quarter of college work may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until they have completed the full degree and specific course requirements. Prior to appointment, applicants must submit an official transcript of their college records.

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THE CITY APPLICATION FORM. Applications may also be obtained on the internet at http://www.lacity.org/PER/. as well as at the following locations and times:
• Personnel Building, Room 100, 700 East Temple Street, Los Angeles, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (213) 847-9240 TDD (213) 847-9267;
• Constituent Service Center, 8475 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, on Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursdays only, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.;
• Van Nuys-North Sherman Oaks One-Stop, Suite 150, 15350 Sherman Way, Suite 150 Van Nuys, on Tuesdays only, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.;
• Cypress Park Community Center, 929 Cypress Avenue, Los Angeles, on Wednesdays only, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m.
  
  

For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen the following workday. This examination will remain open until sufficient applications are received and may close without prior notice. The written test will be given on March 1, 2003, in Los Angeles, for candidates who file their application by January 31, 2003.

Examination Weights:

Multiple Choice Written Test……...................................Qualifying (Pass/Fail)
Evaluation of Overall Qualifications.………………………………………….…………….100%

The qualifying written test may examine for knowledge of: scientific methods of analysis, including principles and problem identification; scientific definitions and terminology; mathematics and measurement techniques; appropriate handling of physical evidence at a crime scene; organic and inorganic chemistry, including physical properties of chemical substances; biology, including biochemistry and physiology; anatomy; hematology; genetics; physics; use of appropriate types of charts and graphs to display data; and reading comprehension.

You may bring an automatic hand-held calculator to the test site for use during the written test. There will be no power source provided at the test site so your calculator must have its own power source.

The qualifying written test will be held in Los Angeles and will take approximately 4 hours. In the same half-day session, candidates will be required to prepare some written material. This material will not be separately scored, but its content and its quality as a written communication will be considered in the overall evaluation of the candidate's Criminalist Supplemental Training and Experience Questionnaire. Candidates will be notified later by mail of the time, and location, and later dates, of the written test.

The written test is a qualifying test on which candidates must achieve a passing score for their Criminalist Supplemental Training and Experience Questionnaire to be evaluated. Candidates must submit a new application and Criminalist Supplemental Training and Experience Questionnaire each time they take the written test.

The examination score will be based entirely on an evaluation of the candidate's overall qualifications. The evaluation, conducted by a panel of subject matter experts, based on job-related criteria, will consist of a review of the candidate's employment application, including background and training; the information contained in the Criminalist Supplemental Training and Experience Questionnaire; the prepared written material; and the level of performance on the qualifying written test.

NOTES:

1. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.
2. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
3. Verified volunteer experience equivalent to that required by this bulletin is acceptable. Verification must be provided by the applicant.
4. A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
5. You may take this examination once a year (365 calendar days). Your name may be removed from the eligible list after six months.
6. A valid California driver's license is required prior to appointment.

Code No. 2234. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-22-02

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Any applicant or employee who believes that they have been discriminated against are encouraged to contact the Office of Discrimination Complaint Resolution at (213) 485-8250.

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