Forensic Unit Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $8,826.13 - $11,268.40 Monthly
Location : Torrance, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 26077409
Department: POLICE
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
DESCRIPTION
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Forensic Supervisorto be a part of the Police Department!
The Torrance Police Department mission is to preserve public safety and quality of life within the City of Torrance, to respond effectively to the changing needs of the community, and to promote mutual respect between the Police Department and the people we serve.
The Department
The Torrance Police Departmentis the largest law enforcement agency in the South Bay and has proudly served the community of Torrance for more than 100 years. The Department is dedicated to preserving public safety and enhancing the quality of life for residents through professional, community-oriented policing and responsive public safety services. The Department employs sworn police officers and civilian professional staff who provide a full range of law enforcement services, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, emergency communications, jail operations, community outreach, crime prevention, and specialized response teams. The Department is organized into four major bureaus - Administrative, Patrol, Special Operations, and Support Services - which work collaboratively to address the evolving needs of the community.
Committed to the principles of integrity, professionalism, and service, the Torrance Police Department emphasizes strong community partnerships, transparency, and proactive problem-solving to ensure Torrance remains one of the safest and most desirable communities in Southern California. The Department continually invests in advanced technology, training, and innovative programs to provide the highest level of public safety services to residents, businesses, and visitors.
The Division
The Torrance Police Department Forensic Identification Specialist Unit is responsible for providing comprehensive forensic and crime scene support to the Torrance Police Department. The unit conducts detailed crime scene documentation; collects and preserves physical evidence; performs fingerprint processing and comparison; and utilizes advanced forensic technologies to assist in criminal investigations. Forensic Identification Specialists work closely with detectives, patrol officers, and external agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and professional forensic services that uphold the highest standards of evidence integrity and investigative support.
The Position
The Forensic Supervisor oversees and coordinates the work of the Forensic Identification Specialist Unit within the Torrance Police Department. This position is responsible for supervising staff engaged in crime scene response, evidence collection, forensic processing, and specialized investigative support. The Forensic Supervisor ensures compliance with departmental procedures and forensic best practices, provides technical guidance and training; reviews work for accuracy and quality; and assists in developing and implementing unit policies and operational standards. The role also serves as a subject-matter expert to investigators and management, supporting the integrity of forensic evidence and the effectiveness of criminal investigations.
This position operates on a 4/10 schedule and will be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and a rotating on-call schedule. Incumbents will be working the field in all weather conditions, laboratory, and general office settings. Physical demands of the performed duties include climbing, bending, lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 60lbs. In addition, there may be exposure to blood-borne, air-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, various hazardous chemicals used to develop latent print impressions. The job may require occasionally crawling in small, confined spaces, possible prolonged use of computers and tolerating adverse conditions such as fingerprinting and photographing deceased persons.
For more information about the duties of the position, click here.
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education and ExperienceAny combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
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 equivalent at an accredited forensic laboratory, or law enforcement agency, participating in site investigations and laboratory analysis including two years working in a lead or supervisory capacity. Experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years' experience.
License and CertificationMust possess a valid State of California Class C Driver's License.
Successful candidates will possess the following:

• Supervisory, leadership, and team-building skills appropriate to creating a highly functioning Team and Lab.
• Effective report writing skills and courtroom expert testimony.
• Skills and knowledge in recognition, search techniques, collection, and documentation of latent prints from physical evidence.
• Competence in the operation of digital imaging systems used for documentation and analysis purposes.
• Knowledge and skillsets in automated systems and chemical methods used to identify and compare latent fingerprints to partial and distorted friction skin evidence as well as known friction skin exemplars.
• Strong ability in training and evaluating staff members, especially pertaining to the related fields of Crime Scene investigations and Latent print examinations.
• Knowledge and skillsets in entering and comparing latent print impressions in the local and federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS).
• An International Association for Identification (IAI) certification as a crime scene investigator (CCSI) and/or a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) is desirable.

HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit an online application and resume at www.TorranceCA.Gov/JobsApplication submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position(s) is/are filled. First review of applications will be those received by Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following components:
Panel Interview: Weighted 100% (Tentatively scheduled on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.)
The tentative test date will be based on a sufficient number of qualified applications received by the first review date. If a sufficient number of applications are not received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the test date may change to a later date.
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.TorranceCA.Govto find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date.
Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical and psychological evaluations, drug screening, and a polygraph.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
To view the current benefits for Torrance Professional and Supervisory Association bargaining unit, visit:
For additional information about the City's benefits, visit:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.
01
The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?

• Yes
• No

02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe IN DETAIL my qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application. In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL JOBS, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any volunteer experience during my entire work history.I UNDERSTAND that when providing my work history, ALL DATES should be UPDATED, starting with my most recent job.I UNDERSTAND that answers that I provide to the supplemental questions should be reflected in the Work Experience Section of my application.I UNDERSTAND that if I am currently employed by the City of Torrance, I MUST provide my appropriate job classification/title and provide a description of my duties in the Work Experience Section of my application.I have read these statements in their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

• Yes
• No

03
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Criminal Justice or related field?

• Yes
• No

04
Indicate the number of years of paid experience that you have as a Forensic Identification Specialist or equivalent position at an accredited forensics laboratory or law enforcement agency.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

05
Indicate the number of years of experience working in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• None
• Less than one year
• More than one year, but less than two years
• More than two years, but less than three years
• More than three years

06
Do you possess a valid California Class C driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you possess an International Association for Identification (IAI) certification as a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you possess a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question