8249 Fingerprint Technician I – San Francisco Sheriff’s Office (8249)

Under general supervision the Fingerprint Technician I take fingerprints using Live Scan System or inked impressions and photographs using Digital Mug Shot System and performs other related duties as required. Essential functions of the job are: fingerprinting inmates and criminal defendants; taking palm prints; documenting demographic and other vital information; classifying fingerprints; searching fingerprints using Automated Fingerprint Identification System; assigning tracking numbers; taking photographs of inmates and criminal defendants; checking names of individuals fingerprinted and photographed on computer data base; transmitting fingerprint and other identification information to Department of Justice; reviewing incoming data sheets; interacting with other law enforcement agencies; and typing correspondence and forms.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109 the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Fingerprints inmates and criminal defendants using Live Scan system or inked impression for identification comparison and record keeping purposes.
2. Takes palm prints using manual rolling process for identification comparison and record keeping purposes.
3. Obtain demographic and vital statistics information i.e. height weight date of birth place of birth and identifying marks of inmates and criminal defendants.
4. Documents demographic and other relevant information by entering the information into the computer database and on a log sheet.
5. Searches fingerprints using Automated Fingerprint Identification System for comparison and identification purposes.
6. Assigns appropriate tracking number for identification and record keeping.
7. Classifies pattern types on fingerprint cards according to techniques prescribed in the Henry System.
8. Takes photographs of inmates and criminal defendants using digital mug shot system for identification and record keeping purposes.
9. Checks the names of individuals fingerprinted and photographed on computer database for outstanding warrants and registrations of sex narcotics and arson offenders.
10. Transmits fingerprint and other identification information to Department of Justice via NATMS (Network AFIS Transaction Management System) for criminal identification purpose.
11. Reviews incoming CII and FBI rap sheets from Federal and State law enforcement agencies for duplicate tracking numbers.
12. Searches fingerprint information forwarded from the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner to identify the deceased and to determine if the person has a criminal record.
13. Interacts with other law enforcement agencies to exchange fingerprints and other relevant identification information.
14. Retrieves fingerprint and other relevant information from bureau files or computer database for authorized individuals and agencies.
15. Reviews fingerprint and other bureau identification files on a routine basis for eliminating obsolete records.
16. Types correspondence and forms using computer or typewriter.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

This examination is open to individuals meeting all of the minimum qualifications listed below by the close of application filing unless otherwise noted. 

• Six (6) months (equivalent of 1000 hours) of verifiable experience interacting with the public; OR
• Completion of a one semester college level accredited course in classification and identification of fingerprints with a minimum grade of C or equivalent or completion of a formal on-the-job training course in fingerprint identification with a governmental law enforcement agency;
  AND
• Ability to type at 25 words per minute with no more than 10% error rate

Applicants must attach the following verification to their application:

1. Six Months of Verifiable experience on company letterhead OR

2. Completion of one semester college course with a minimum grade of C or better (Transcripts Required) AND

 3. Typing Certificate of 25 WPM with no more than 10% error rate

Note: Falsifying ones education training or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Additional Information :

Selection Procedures

Written Examination (Weight: 100%):
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the online Multiple-Choice Exam that is designed to measure knowledge skills and abilities in job-related areas which may include but are not limited to the ability to: communicate clearly; deal effectively with the public in a community service-oriented environment; work safely and effectively as part of a team establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers supervisors and members of the public; and work under direct supervision in a structured chain-of-command environment.  The areas of punctuality reliability responsibility and accountability for personal behavior will also be taken into consideration.

This computer-administered test can be taken at home or at a time and location of ones convenience but only within the time period specified on the test notification. Candidates must have access to a computer and reliable internet connection to participate in this exam.

The examination component listed above is considered standardized and therefore test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.  Candidates must pass the examination component described above to continue in the process.

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established so applicants can view the ranks final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information including names of applicants on the eligible list shall not be made public unless required by law. However an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection upon request once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g. as a result of appeals) as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be twelve (12) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification Rule:
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of Three. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Department Selection Process:
Candidates whose names appear on the adopted eligible list will be invited by the Sheriffs Office to participate in additional interviews testing processes and background investigations listed below. 

Oral Interview:  
Candidates will be interviewed to evaluate their decision making interpersonal skills and communication abilities. The oral interview will be rated by subject matter experts who will make recommendations as to which candidates should proceed in the selection process.

Background Investigation:
Prior to employment with the San Francisco Sheriffs Office candidates must pass an employment character and background investigation to determine suitability for employment. All statements by the candidates are subject to verification. A review of judicial and driving records will be conducted. Any indication of criminal history repeated or serious unlawful behavior use of controlled substances unsatisfactory job performance inability to deal with co-workers inability to accept supervision negative employment or personal references or other relevant factors may result in disqualification.  Successful completion of the background investigation does not guarantee or imply an offer of employment.  Employees must maintain background clearance and a valid California Driver License as a condition of continued employment.

Additional Information

Terms of Announcement:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement including requirements time periods and other particulars except when superseded by federal state or local laws rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4 provided that such appeal is submitted in writing in the Department of Human Resources 1 S Van Ness Avenue 4th Floor San Francisco CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Go to for more information on applicable appeal rights and submission requirements under the Civil Service Rules; and for Civil Service Rules policies and procedures on announcements applications and examinations.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit  begin the application process.

• Select the Im Interested button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and therefore it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @ and @.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process please contact the exam analyst at 

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex race age religion color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition (associated with cancer a history of cancer or genetic characteristics) HIV/AIDS status genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression military and veteran status or other protected category under the law.