How to Become a DTSC Criminal Investigator
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency. A criminal investigator for this department conducts investigations related to the California hazardous waste control laws. Investigators are likely to interact with criminals and perform the same duties as peace officers. Therefore, a combination of prior criminal investigative work experience and relevant college course work is usually necessary to become a Department of Toxic Substances Control criminal investigator. Additionally, criminal investigators for this department must be willing to work in hazardous waste environments.
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Instructions
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Department of Toxic Substances Control criminal investigator job requirements
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To meet the eligibility requirements for the job, you must be at least 18 years old and be a U.S. citizen or a foreigner who has applied for U.S. citizenship. If the application for citizenship is denied, you cannot become a criminal investigator for this agency.
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You must live in or be willing to relocate to one of the cities where the department has its offices: Sacramento, Berkeley, Clovis and Los Angeles.
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You must have a high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate.
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You must have two years of experience working in law enforcement in an investigative assignment for a governmental agency or must have worked as an investigative assistant for the state of California for a year.
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You must have attended college for at least two years with a major in law enforcement, criminal justice, law enforcement, criminology or police science. You must also have completed certain required college courses.
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You must know investigative techniques, interview and interrogation processes and procedures, methods used in securing and preserving evidence, laws of arrest and search and seizure and chemical and physical hazardous waste.
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You must undergo a psychological screening and medical examination. Some of the physical requirements for the job include normal or corrected vision and hearing and weight that is appropriate for your age and height.
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You must undergo a background check. You cannot become a criminal investigator for this department if you have been convicted of a felony or have any type of firearm restriction.
DTSC Criminal Investigator Hiring Process
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Submit California Standard State Application Form 678 online or mail it to the appropriate testing office.
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Wait for notification by mail that your application meets the requirements, and then schedule the necessary examinations.
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Complete the required examinations. It's common to have both a multiple-choice written exam as well as an oral exam in front of a three-member panel.
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Continue the hiring process with an interview if you are ranked in the top three of all applicants to be eligible to fill an immediate vacancy. If there are no current openings, you are placed on a hiring list for up to four years.
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Tips & Warnings
You are still eligible to apply if you do not have the required work experience but graduated from college with a major or minor in criminal justice, law enforcement or criminology and if you completed the required college courses, Additional years of work experience may be substituted for the required education.
