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Forensic Science Associate Degree Jobs in California

Criminalist I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $109K/yr

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in Criminalistics, Forensic Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Digital Forensics, or Computer Forensics. * A Bachelor ...

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field; three years paid experience as a Forensic Identification Specialist or the ...

FORENSIC SUPERVISOR

Torrance, CA · On-site

$8.8K - $11K/mo

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field; three years paid experience as a Forensic Identification Specialist or the ...

Criminalist I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$90K - $109K/yr

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in Criminalistics, Forensic Science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Digital Forensics, or Computer Forensics. A Bachelor ...

Associate's degree and 4+ years of incident response or digital forensics experience or Bachelor's Degree in Information Security, Computer Science, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security or related field

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Forensic Science Associate Degree information

What jobs can I get with a forensic science associate degree?

With a Forensic Science Associate Degree, you can qualify for entry-level positions such as forensic science technician, crime scene investigator, lab assistant, or evidence technician. These roles typically involve collecting, analyzing, and processing physical evidence for law enforcement or forensic labs. Some positions may require additional certifications or on-the-job training. This degree can also serve as a foundation for further education in forensic science or criminal justice.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive with a forensic science associate degree?

To thrive in a role requiring a Forensic Science Associate Degree, you need a strong understanding of forensic techniques, laboratory procedures, and criminal justice principles, typically gained through an accredited associate program. Familiarity with analytical instruments like spectrometers and microscopes, as well as experience with evidence-handling protocols and chain-of-custody systems, is highly valued. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective written and verbal communication are essential soft skills for success in forensic settings. These competencies ensure evidence is processed accurately and ethically, supporting the integrity of criminal investigations and legal proceedings.

What types of work environments and team structures can I expect with a forensic science associate degree?

With a Forensic Science Associate Degree, you may work in crime laboratories, medical examiner offices, law enforcement agencies, or private labs, often as part of a larger forensic team. Your team could include forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, law enforcement officers, and legal professionals, all collaborating to solve cases and support the justice system. Daily responsibilities may involve processing physical evidence, performing lab analyses, maintaining detailed records, and occasionally testifying in court. Collaboration and communication are key, as your role often supports multiple aspects of ongoing investigations.

Is it worth it to get a forensic science associate degree?

A forensic science associate degree prepares individuals for entry-level roles such as forensic technician or evidence technician, often requiring knowledge of laboratory procedures, crime scene analysis, and relevant software. It can lead to employment in crime labs, law enforcement agencies, or private forensic firms, with opportunities for advancement through additional certifications or experience.

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Science Associate Degree jobs in California?

For Forensic Science Associate Degree jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Forensic Science Associate Degree jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Science Associate Degree jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Forensic Science Associate Degree jobs?

Cities in California with the most Forensic Science Associate Degree job openings:

Infographic showing various Forensic Science Associate Degree job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Part-time Faculty, Forensic Technology (Administration of Justice)

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA • On-site

$103.32 - $163.93/hr

Other

Re-posted 12 days ago


Palomar College rating

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Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

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Job description

Part-time Faculty, Forensic Technology (Administration of Justice) Please see Special Instructions for more details.
  • For more information regarding the position, contact Michelle Soria, Lead Administration of Justice Faculty at 760-744-1150, ext. 2961 or via email at msoria@palomar.edu .
  • This posting is to fill current openings and for an application pool. Should more openings come up in the future, the department will contact those that they are interested in.
Position Information Position Title

Part-time Faculty, Forensic Technology (Administration of Justice)

Department

Public Safety Programs

Primary Location

A part-time faculty member’s assignment may include day, evening and/or weekend work, and work at more than one location (San Marcos campus and/or off-campus locations, as well as distance education classes).

Projected Start Date

Current and Continuous Application Pool

Full or Part Time

Full or Part Time Part-time

Category

Hours per week Part-time faculty members are not to exceed a load of 67%.

Work Schedule

A part-time faculty member’s assignment may include day, evening and/or weekend work, and work at more than one location (San Marcos campus and/or off-campus locations, as well as distance education classes).

Initial Placement Hourly Range

$75.81 – $119.20 (instructional); $74.60 – $117.69 (non-instructional)

Part-time faculty employees are eligible to elect membership in one of the following retirement plans:

  • APPLE (Accumulation Program for Part-Time Limited-Service Employees)
Job Duties

The Public Safety Programs department is seeking qualified part-time instructors to teach Administration of Justice – Fingerprint Analysis in our new Forensics program. Teaching assignment(s) may include any of the curriculum approved courses within the discipline of Administration of Justice – Forensic Technology, including Beginning and Advanced Fingerprint Analysis courses, Introduction to Forensic Science, and Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation.

Minimum Qualifications

Must meet one of the sets of qualifications listed under 1) through 3):

  • Any bachelor’s degree or higher AND two years of professional experience.
  • Any associate degree AND six years of professional experience.
  • A combination of education and experience that is at least the equivalent of the qualifications in either 1) or 2) above. You must complete and attach the Application for Equivalency form www.palomar.edu/hr/equivalency-app/, if you do not possess the specific minimum qualifications as stated above, which includes degrees that have not been awarded at the time of submitting the application.

Only coursework completed at, and degrees awarded by, accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be considered as satisfying the minimum qualifications. Coursework and degrees that are completed outside of the United States are required to have transcripts evaluated (evaluation to U.S. equivalency and a course by course analysis) by an appropriate U.S. credentials evaluation service. For a list of credentials evaluation agencies accepted by Palomar College, visit the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services ( NACES ) website at https://www.naces.org/members , or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ) website at http://aice-eval.org/ .

NOTE : For professional experience, a “year” is defined as equivalent to 40 hours per week for 10 months.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Recent experience in a forensic laboratory.
  • Professional expertise in Forensic Science and Fingerprint Analysis – evidence of current knowledge, training, or field experience in latent print examination, crime scene processing, and forensic technology, including current techniques and best practices used by California law enforcement and crime laboratories.
  • Strong academic preparation in criminal justice, forensic science, or related disciplines, as demonstrated by upper-division and/or graduate-level coursework addressing crime, justice, and forensic analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate hands-on learning, scenario-based training, and laboratory or mock crime scene exercises into classroom instruction.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Antiracism (DEIAA) Statement

Palomar College serves over 30,000 students from a variety of backgrounds and we are proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution. Our student body is rich in its diversity. Palomar College is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and antiracism ( DEIAA ). We are dedicated to empowering students to succeed and are guided by our core values; some of which are the following:

  • Access – We make education possible for everyone.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – We recognize and respect diversity, seek to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, and strive to address inequities.

All positions require cultural competency which includes the sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.

Licenses and/or Certificates

A Certified Latent Print Examiner ( CLPE ) certificate meeting the requirements set forth by the International Association for Identification ( IAI ) is preferred but not required.

Supervision Received

Part-time faculty members receive supervision from the Division Dean and direction from the Department Chair.

Part-time faculty members are not to exceed a load of 67%.

The person selected for hire will be required to complete the following pre-employment requirements: live scan/fingerprinting, official transcript(s), TB risk assessment, and employment verification(s). Other pre-employment requirements may be required depending on the position (i.e. certifications or licenses; see applicable job posting section for details). Successful completion of all pre-employment requirements is mandatory to be eligible for employment. These requirements are in accordance with the following Administrative Procedures and Board Policies: AP 7120 , AP 7120a , AP 7125 , AP 7126 , AP 7127 , AP 7330 , BP 7330 , AP 7336 , AP 7337 , and BP 7335 .

  • For more information regarding the position, contact Michelle Soria, Lead Administration of Justice Faculty at 760-744-1150, ext. 2961 or via email at msoria@palomar.edu .
  • This posting is to fill current openings and for an application pool. Should more openings come up in the future, the department will contact those that they are interested in.
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  • * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • ACCCA.org
    • CalJOBS
    • CCC Registry
    • ChronicleVitae.com (Chronicle of Higher Education)
    • Colleague/Friend/Relative
    • CraigsList
    • DSPSjobs.com
    • EdJoin
    • Handshake
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • Human Resources at Palomar College
    • Indeed.com
    • indian-affairs.org
    • Job Fair
    • MilitaryJob.com
    • Other Source
    • Palomar College website
    • San Diego LGBT Job Board (http://www.gsdba.org/pages/Jobs)
    • SDBCjobs.com
    • Vista Chamber
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