8259-Criminalist I

Criminalist I

Job classification

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Current compensation plan

Effective: Jul 01, 2024

See Historic and future compensation information for this class

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Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Title: Criminalist I

Job Code: 8259

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision, evaluates and scientifically examines the nature, origin and significance of physical evidence in criminal investigations; prepares report of findings; and presents expert testimony in court. The Criminalist I performs work in many Forensic Services Division sections, including Chemical Analysis, Firearms and Toolmarks, Trace Evidence, Forensic Biology, Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Forensics and Latent Prints.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the entry-level class in the Criminalist series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training to perform basic analytical tests and work on cases. Employees are initially assigned less difficult, routine duties and progress to increasingly complex assignments until fully trained. This class is distinguished from class 8260 Criminalist II in that the latter is fully trained and performs journey-level work.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

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. Collects, examines, analyzes, and processes evidence, including trace, firearms, impression, biological, fingerprint, digital, and crime scene evidence.

2. Retrieves evidence from crime scenes, property control and/or medical examiner's office or from other custodians following established chain of custody procedures.

3. Preserves evidence following established laboratory standards by inventorying, documenting and safekeeping evidence.

4. Complies with established quality control procedures to ensure proper functioning and maintenance of laboratory equipment and reagents; trains lab staff and officers in its use.

5. Adheres to established safety standards in the preparation, storage and disposal of chemicals to ensure personal safety and validity of the scientific process.

6. Documents case observations and interpretations through detailed notes, photographs, sketches, charts, etc.

7. Prepares technical reports on interpretation of case examinations.

8. Uses and maintains highly technical laboratory instruments and equipment.

9. Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.

10. Participates in proficiency testing to comply with national quality assurance standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Principles of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and statistics; basic laboratory procedures; and equipment and apparatuses used in a laboratory setting.

Ability or Skill to: perform routine analytical procedures; make accurate observations and prepare records and notes; communicate clearly in oral and written form.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

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.

Notes:

1. For positions assigned to Forensic Biology (DNA), must meet the minimum education requirements for an analyst as described by the current Federal Bureau of Investigation�s Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories.

2. For positions assigned to Chemical Analysis, course work must include 8 semester units of chemistry with lab and 8 units of organic chemistry with lab.

Experience:

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Substitution:

For positions assigned to Latent Prints, experience as a latent fingerprint examiner in a public jurisdiction may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis (One (1) year of experience will be considered equivalent to thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units of college coursework).

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PROMOTIVE LINES

To: 8260 Criminalist II

ORIGINATION DATE: 08/15/02

AMENDED DATE: 11/15/23

REASON FOR AMENDMENT:

To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation