Entry Level Crime Lab Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $39,720.00 - $55,896.00 Annually
Location : Redding, 96007, 96073, 96003, 96002, 96001, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 092-3_SHF_072126
Department: Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 12:00 PM Pacific
THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 2026
SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDING
POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE
RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED
FINAL FILING DATE: AUGUST 05, 2026, AT 12:00 PM
SALARY INFORMATION
Animal Regulation Officer I: $3,310-$4,224 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $19.10-$24.37 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
Animal Regulation Officer II: $3,649-$4,658 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $21.05-$26.87 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*
This position is in the UPEC General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements
Salary range consists of six (6) salary steps, with approximately 5% intervals between each step. Original appointment for new employees begins at the first step of the assigned salary range. New employees are eligible for a merit-based step increase at six months from step A to step B and then annually thereafter from the step B pay period.
ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY
Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Sheriff's Office is organized into five divisions: Custody, Services, Enforcement, Investigations, and Coroner.
The Custody Division includes the County Jail, the Annex Work Facility, and the Court Transportation facilities. The purpose of the jail is to incarcerate offenders while providing basic medical care for county, state, out-of-county, and federal prisoners who are ineligible to be assigned to alternative custody programs. The jail is a maximum-security facility that houses both pre-sentenced and sentenced persons.
The Services Division includes the local Office of Emergency Services, Personnel and Hiring, Background Unit, Internal Affairs, and Records Unit.
The Enforcement Division handles all patrol-related matters. The Enforcement Division is responsible for municipal law enforcement services within the City of Shasta Lake. The Animal Regulation Unit is also under the Enforcement Division of the Sheriff's Office.
The Investigations Division includes the Major Crimes Unit, Crime Lab, Shasta Interagency Narcotics Taskforce (SINTF), Marijuana Eradication Team (MET), and the AB109 Compliance Team. The Major Crimes Unit augments patrol and investigates property crimes, crimes against people including homicide and sexual assault, and other in-depth investigations. The other units such as SINTF, MET, and the AB 109 Compliance Team augment the Major Crimes Unit along with handling drug-related offenses, probation offenses, parole offenses, and other investigations, as assigned.
The Sheriff is also the County Coroner; therefore, the Coroner's Division is responsible for investigating sudden, violent, unusual, and unexpected deaths when the decedent has not been recently seen by a physician. The Coroner's Division is commanded by a Lieutenant who serves as the agency's Chief Deputy Coroner.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under general supervision, to investigate complaints; enforce County ordinances and State laws governing the licensing, impounding, and disposal of animals; to collect and transport animals to the animal facility; to issue citations and to arrange towing of abandoned vehicles; to respond as directed during fire and emergency situations; and to perform related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Animal Regulation Officer I: This is the entry level class of the Animal Regulation Officer series. An incumbent will be trained in the performance of the duties listed below and would normally be expected to promote to Animal Regulation Officer II after one year of experience.
Incumbents in this class provide 24-hour/7 days per week coverage, are required to work rotational weekends and holidays, may have fluctuating work hours, and are subject to after hour call out. Incumbents are required to wear a uniform conforming to department standards.
Animal Regulation Officer II: is the journey level classification in the Animal Regulation Officer series. It is distinguished from Animal Regulation Officer I in that the Animal Regulation Officer I classification is the entry level where incumbents work in a training capacity while learning policies and procedures, advancing in knowledge and skills in the field.
Incumbents in this class provide 24-hour/7 days per week coverage, are required to work rotational weekends and holidays, may have fluctuating work hours, and are subject to after hour call out. Incumbents are required to wear a uniform conforming to department standards.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
An Animal Regulation Officer patrols County roads in a vehicle to locate, capture, and impound stray and injured domestic animals, including but not limited to dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats; may impound or return livestock to pasture or owner's property; responds to calls and complaints from the public regarding stray, vicious, diseased, or dead animals; conducts investigations of animal bites and quarantines as required; must euthanize animals as required; explains County and State Animal Control laws to the public and other interested persons; prepares written and computer-generated reports of all generated activities; issues and collects fees for kennel and pack licenses; issues citations when necessary to violators of County ordinances/State laws; offers testimony in court; investigates complaints of animal cruelty; works with tow companies, law enforcement and other agencies; keeps records of abandoned vehicle abatement activities; issues citations and arranges towing of abandoned vehicles from public and private property; and performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:
Animal Regulation Officer I:
Knowledge of: Breeds of domestic and livestock animals; animal health care; behavior and handling of domestic and livestock animals. Although there is no typing requirement, incumbents should be familiar with and be able to use a computer.
Ability to: Learn to safely capture, restrain, and handle large and small animals; care for animals humanely; learn laws, rules, and policies pertaining to animal control and be able to interpret them to the public; deal with the general public in a courteous but professional manner and have the ability to handle verbal abuse and criticism from citizens with tact and good judgment; oversee inmate workers; express oneself, both orally and in writing in a clear and understandable manner, understand oral instructions and write legibly; conduct investigations; maintain adequate records; read a map book; learn to use and care for small caliber firearms; learn how to humanely euthanize animals; learn proper radio procedure; work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work; be able to work outdoors in all types of weather; be in constant contact with all types of animals, dander, and excrement; do heavy lifting; learn to recognize symptoms of common animal diseases; learn proper application of equipment for moving and handling domestic animals and livestock.
Animal Regulation Officer II:
Knowledge of: State and County laws, rules, and policies pertaining to the regulation of domestic animals and livestock; breeds of domestic and livestock animals; animal health care and diseases; behavior, handling, and restraint of domestic and livestock animals; how to humanely euthanize/dispose of domestic animals and livestock; usage and care of small caliber firearms; prepare reports; offer testimony in court; and work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work. Although there is no typing requirement, incumbents should be familiar with and be able to use a computer.
Ability to: Enforce State and County laws; safely capture, restrain, and handle large and small animals; care for animals humanely; apply laws, rules, and policies pertaining to animal control and be able to interpret them to the public; deal with the general public in a courteous but professional manner and have the ability to handle verbal abuse and criticism from citizens with tact and good judgment; oversee inmate workers; express oneself, both orally and in writing in a clear and understandable manner, understand and carry out oral and written directions; make independent judgments in difficult cases; write legibly; conduct investigations; maintain adequate records; read a map book; quickly learn the geography of Shasta County; use and care for small caliber firearms; humanely euthanize domestic animals and livestock; use proper radio procedure; work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work; work outdoors in all types of weather; be in constant contact with all types of animals, dander, and excrement; do heavy lifting; recognize symptoms of common animal diseases; use proper application of equipment for moving and handling domestic animals and livestock.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
Animal Regulation Officer I: Experience working with animals performing some related duties (e.g., care for sick animals, transporting animals, recordkeeping, etc.), basic knowledge of animal breeds and care, and an understanding of how to work effectively with the public.
Animal Regulation Officer II: One (1) year of experience equivalent to an Animal Regulation Officer I.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of a valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record according to County driving policy.
Successful completion of Penal Code section 832 Arrest and Firearms training course within one (1) year of appointment.
Must possess a valid certificate for the performance of euthanasia.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you have experience working with animals performing and of the related duties: (e.g., care for sick animals, transporting animals, recordkeeping, etc.), If "Yes," please provide details where you obtained this experience including, but not limited to, employer(s), dates of employment, and job duties. If "No," type N/A.
2. Do you have a basic knowledge of animal breeds and care? If "Yes," please provide details where you obtained this experience including, but not limited to, employer(s), dates of employment, and job duties. If "No," type N/A.
3. Do you have an understanding of how to work effectively with the public? Yes/No
4. I understand a successful completion of Penal Code section 832 Arrest and Firearms training course is required within one (1) year of appointment. Yes/No
5. Do you possess a valid certificate for the performance of euthanasia? If "Yes," list the certification or certificate number. If "No," type N/A.
6. I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes/No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through th