Criminalist III, Forensic Biology (DNA) Supervisor SFPD (8262)

Under the general direction of the Criminalistics Laboratory Manager the Criminalist III supervises the day-to-day activities of the Forensic Biology (DNA) Unit of the San Francisco Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory. The San Francisco Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory is divided into three areas: General Criminalistics (chemical analysis; including forensic breath alcohol program) Firearms / Impression Evidence and Trace Evidence and Forensic Biology (DNA).

Essential Duties:

• Reviews requests for laboratory services as to the merit urgency and scope of the request.
• Develops updates and implements written procedures to ensure compliance with ASCLD/LAB accreditation and federally mandated DNA Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic Testing Laboratories.
• Provides technical assistance to staff in the examination and evaluation of physical evidence.
• Coaches reviews and corrects the work of subordinate staff; measures the performance of subordinate staff and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Conducts administrative and technical reviews of case files and reports.
• Oversees safety programs.
• Ensures current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence
• Administering proficiency testing (internal and external) reviewing results and recommending remedial action as necessary.
• Prepares written budget requests; manages state and/or federal grant programs.
• Prepares the DNA Unit for yearly audits.
• Performs the more complex identification analyses and interpretation of physical evidence including biological material such as blood semen and saliva.
• Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.
• Related duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

1. Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in criminalistics chemistry biochemistry molecular biology or a closely related field; AND

2. Experience: Four (4) years of full-time professional casework experience working in a forensic DNA laboratory performing duties of a criminalist (equivalent to the Citys 8260 Criminalist II classification). AND

3. License: Possession of a valid drivers license.

Note: Course work must include the subject areas of forensic science biochemistry genetics molecular biology or other subjects that provide a basic understanding of the foundation of forensic DNA analysis. Course work must include 9 (nine) cumulative semester hours or equivalent that cover the required subject areas.

Substitution: Possession of a postgraduate degree in criminalistics chemistry biochemistry molecular biology or a closely related field successful completion of coursework may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required laboratory experience.

Desirable Qualification: 

• Experience with computer database management related to forensic DNA analysis.

Verification of Education and Experience: Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Applicants will be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience during the recruitment and selection process.

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.

All work experience education training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Background Investigation: Prior to employment with the San Francisco Police Department a thorough background investigation will be conducted to determine the candidates suitability for employment. The investigation may include but not be limited to: criminal history records driving records drug/alcohol screening and other related employment and personal history records. Reasons for rejection may include use of controlled substances and alcohol felony conviction repeated or serious violations of the law inability to work with co-workers inability to accept supervision inability to follow rules and regulations or other relevant factors. Candidates may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening and must clear Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprinting. Criminal records will be carefully reviewed; candidates who do not report their complete criminal records on their applications will be disqualified. Applicants will be fingerprinted.

Additional Information :

Recruiter Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process please contact the recruitment analyst Danny Wan at

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

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

SFPD Recruitment:  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.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time