8260-Criminalist II

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Job Title: Criminalist II

Job Code: 8260

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, evaluates and scientifically examines the nature, origin and significance of physical evidence in criminal investigations. The Criminalist II 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 journey-level class in the Criminalist series. Incumbents perform routine analyses independently for cases in one or more of the specialty areas. This class is distinguished from class 8262 Criminalist III in that the latter performs more detailed, complex and difficult work in a technical area of expertise, and supervises incumbents in class 8259 Criminalist I and class 8260 Criminalist II.

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 process evidence, including trace, firearms, impression, biological, fingerprint, digital, and crime scene evidence.

2. Receives evidence from property control and/or medical examiner's office or from custodians following established chain of custody procedures.

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

4. Evaluates evidence submitted for analysis to determine if the quality and quantity is adequate for scientific testing.

5. Documents case observations through detailed notes, photographs, sketches, charts, etc.

6. Prepares comprehensive technical reports on interpretation of case examinations.

7. Operates and maintains laboratory instruments such as thermocyclers, genetic analyzers, microscopes (light and electron), gaschromatographs, spectrometers and basic laboratory equipment; trains lab staff and officers in its use.

8. Compiles case folders containing all required documentation, charts and printouts in appropriate format for review and archiving.

9. Participates in proficiency test in order to comply with national quality assurance standards.

10. Complies with established quality control procedures to ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment and reagents.

11. Assists in the validation of new methodology before using in cases by conducting analysis (under controlled conditions) following guidelines.

12. Provides technical assistance to co-workers, sworn officers and members of other departments; confers with Inspectors and District Attorneys.

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

14. Researches technical journals, textbooks, and proprietary publications to determine the best methods of performing tests.

15. Attends training classes and professional meetings to keep abreast of current methodology.

16. Maintains service records for all scientific instruments in the laboratory.

17. Participates in the Technical and Administrative review process by having criminalists re-view each other's caseload to ensure adherence to all lab standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: current principles, methods, and materials needed to examine items of physical/biological evidence; principles of chemistry and biochemistry as they relate to a laboratory setting; technical writing as related to scientific experiments; and basic and advanced laboratory procedures, and equipment and apparatuses used in a chemical/biological laboratory set-ting.

Ability to: perform routine and complex analytical procedures; interpret data generated by laboratory tests, and draw appropriate conclusions and inferences; present key facts, points, or inferences orally, in a clear, organized and concise format; prepare comprehensive and clear written reports; use proper English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and structure in written communications; provide fair and impartial court testimony as an expert witness; resolve analytical problems encountered in cases through consultation of the scientific literature and other experts, and/or through empirical test and research; establish and maintain courteous, cooperative, business-like relationships with peers, superiors and personnel from other departments; maintain a schedule so that all priority activities are carried out in a timely manner; maintain integrity; and accept guidance and direction from others, such as superiors, and more experienced coworkers .

Skill in: handling, assessing, and manipulating items of physical evidence or laboratory samples; and operating and maintaining a wide variety of instruments such as various types of microscopes and gas chromatographic-interfaced mass spectrometers.

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 field; AND

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:

Two (2) years of casework experience working in a laboratory performing duties of a criminalist (equivalent to the City's 8259 Criminalist I).

Substitution:

Possession of a postgraduate degree in criminalistics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a closely related field may be substituted for up to a year of the required experience.

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).

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid driver's license.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PROMOTIVE LINES

From: 8259 Criminalist I

To: 8262 Criminalist III

ORIGINATION DATE: 01/12/1961

AMENDED DATE: 08/27/1982, 08/15/02, 02/26/10, 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