Criminalist III, Forensic Breath Alcohol and Controlled Substances Supervisor SFPD (8262)

Under direction the Criminalist III supervises trains and evaluates criminalists engaged in the scientific examination and evaluation of physical evidence associated with controlled substances in criminal investigations gunshot residue analysis and directs and supports the forensic breath alcohol program establishes and maintains operating procedures serves as a technical expert and must also be able to provide impairment testimony. 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:

• Develops and updates written procedures for evidence analysis data interpretation case note composition and maintenance.
• Reviews requests for laboratory services as to the merit urgency and scope of the request.
• Monitors the forensic breath alcohol program by downloading breath test results and maintaining the accuracy and calibration records.
• Identifies controlled substances such as cocaine heroin and pharmaceuticals through chemical analysis.
• Conducts administrative and technical reviews of all case files and reports.
• Coach review and correct the work of subordinate staff; measure the performance of subordinate staff and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Establishes and implements a documented program to ensure that instruments and equipment are properly maintained and calibrated.
• Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.
• Ensures current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence.
• Confers with Investigators and District Attorneys to discuss case priorities.
• Attends professional meetings to maintain communication with other agencies and to keep abreast of innovations that may be useful to the Unit.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities 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 physical science field. Course work must include 8 semester units of chemistry with lab 8 semester units of organic chemistry with lab and 4 semester units of quantitative analysis with lab.; AND

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

3. License: Possession of a valid drivers license.

Substitution: Postgraduate degree in biology chemistry or forensic science-related area may be substituted for one (1) year of the required full-time experience.

Verification of Education and Experience: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required information on how to verify education requirements including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency can be found at 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.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility or disqualification.

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