San Mateo County
SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A tradition of service since 1856
Looking to gain valuable work experience and make a difference in your community? Consider applying for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office’s Summer Internship Program!
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Whether you’re considering a career in law enforcement, forensic science, emergency management, or public administration, this internship provides the experience and mentorship to kickstart your career.
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As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals in a variety of divisions including our Criminal Records Bureau, Emergency Services Bureau, Forensic Laboratory, Property and Evidence Bureau, Transportation Bureau, and more!
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To submit an application for this opportunity when the recruitment period opens, please visit jobs.smcgov.org.
Minimum requirements for consideration
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Submission of a complete job application, including any required attachments, when the recruitment opens
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Eligibility to work in the United States
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​Possession of a high school diploma or educational equivalent
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Pursuit of an education/career in law enforcement, criminal justice, forensic science, or related field
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Successful completion of a thorough background investigation/criminal history check prior to employment
If you have questions or would like to be considered for this opportunity, please contact the Recruitment Team: SO_Recruitment@smcgov.org
We are currently accepting applications for the 2026 Sheriff’s Summer Internship program! Application materials are due by Friday, March 6, 2026.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
FORENSIC LABORATORY INTERNSHIPS
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory offers two types of internships. Both internships are geared towards college students or college graduates.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory offers a Forensic Biology Internship. This internship serves the Forensic Biology/DNA Unit of the laboratory and accepts applicants on an annual basis. It is preferred that applicants to the Forensic Biology Internship have some college coursework in Biology, Chemistry, or Forensic Science. This program also requires a minimum of a one year commitment of 16 hours per week, but starts with a 6 week training period of approximately 40 hours per week. Each selected candidate must pass a background check in order to be considered for the program.
This program prepares interns to perform basic laboratory duties such as preparing reagents and assisting with laboratory maintenance. Additionally, interns will be trained in the screening of evidence for the presence of biological fluids. Upon successful completion of the program, the interns will be qualified to process evidence for the presence of biological fluids, and may be trained in DNA quantitation or other areas of Forensic Biology as well.
Several reading assignments, oral presentations, laboratory practicals, and mock trials must be successfully completed in order to become qualified and to begin casework under the supervision of a qualified analyst.
If you would like to be considered for the Forensic Biology Internship, please submit the application materials to:
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory
50 Tower Road
San Mateo, CA 94402
Attn: Alice Hilker, Supervising Criminalist
LATENT PRINT PROCESSING TECHNICIAN
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory offers an internship program specific to the Latent Print Section. The Latent Print Processing Technician Program accepts applicants on an annual basis; however, the program requires a minimum of a year commitment at 16 hours/week and each selected candidate must pass a background check to be considered for the program.
This program covers several modules such as:
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Orientation covering Laboratory, Lab Sections, Safety, Bloodborne Pathogens, and more
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History of Fingerprints
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Physiology of Friction Ridge Formation
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Processing Techniques
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Fingerprints and the Law
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Digital Imaging Techniques
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Note Taking and Report Writing
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Court
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Supervised Casework
Several reading assignments, papers, oral and written tests, practical tests, and mock trials must be successfully completed in order to begin the supervised casework portion. Upon successful completion of the program the technician will be qualified to process evidence for the presence of latent impressions.
If you would like to be considered for the Latent Print Processing Technician Program, please submit the application materials to:
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Forensic Laboratory
50 Tower Road
San Mateo, CA 94402
Attn: Sally Jones, Supervising Criminalist
