Career Opportunity

Forensic Examiner II - SFPD (8253)

Recruitment: REF14389D

Published: September 16, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

About:

• Application Opening: September 2, 2022
• Application Closing: Apply immediately, announcement may close anytime but not before September 16, 2022.
• Compensation: $98,592 - $119,834 Annually

Who We Are:

The San Francisco Police Department is committed to excellence in law enforcement and is dedicated to the people, traditions and diversity of our City. In order to protect life and property, prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime, the department provides service with understanding, response with compassion, performance with integrity and law enforcement with vision. The San Francisco Police Department established in 1849, enforces the law and investigates crime in San Francisco, including the San Francisco International Airport. The organization has grown into a nationally known police department providing law enforcement services to one of the most recognized cities in the United States. The department operates 10 district stations, a crime lab and a training academy.

Role description

Under general supervision, performs difficult and complex fingerprint examination and classification of prints and impressions. The Forensic Examiner II determines the general types of tests and examinations to be performed on physical evidence assigned to the Identification Unit. Collects evidence using established procedures, and independently develops, evaluates, compares and identifies latent prints. Operates all related latent print equipment and Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) systems of the San Francisco Police Department. All functions are performed in accordance to laws of evidence, criminal procedure, and court procedure and adherence to unit’s code of ethics.

POSITION DUTIES:

• Determine the general types of tests and examinations to be performed on physical evidence assigned to unit and conduct tests and examinations using developing powders, inks, chemicals, casting materials, photographic equipment or other special equipment.
• Collect and transport multiple forms of evidence to and from various locations for forensic evaluation and chain of custody documentation and process evidence according to department procedure.
• Identify, compare and evaluate latent, visible, plastic, and partial finger, palm, foot, or similar type prints or impressions through various mediums or other special equipment for difficult and complex cases in the department.
• Encode and input data into SFPD ABIS, CAL-ID AFIS and FBI ULW / NGI fingerprint systems; use system results and printouts to develop probable suspects list and classify fingerprints for facility of retrieval by the different systems users.
• Prepare clear and concise case notes and technical reports for department documentation of observations, procedures/techniques and evaluations; maintain regular, modus operandi fingerprint files and various records for department use.
• Verify fingerprint identifications made by other latent examiners; provide guidance, training and technical assistance to less experienced personnel; comply with on-going state and federal mandated training of new and experienced personnel; and adhere to industry standards in periodic assessments and validating fingerprint processing.
• Oversee the preparation of evidence and exhibits for presentation in court or formal hearings on latent fingerprint examinations, identification and related local criminal history and testify as an expert witness.
• Act as a lead on special projects.

How to qualify

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:

1.       Completion of 30 semester credits from an accredited College or University which must include at least: a course in Math; a course in English or Composition; a course in Chemistry (with laboratory sections) and a course in any Science (with laboratory sections).

Experience:

2.       Two (2) years of verifiable full-time experience as a latent fingerprint examiner or equivalent classifying and comparing latent prints including visible, plastic and partial finger and palm prints and 10 prints; operating latent print and automated 10-prints AFIS systems; and developing latent prints using a variety of chemical processes and testifying in court as an expert fingerprint witness. Experience must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco 8252 Forensic Latent Examiner I classification.

License and Certification:

3.       Possession of a valid California Driver’s License

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience classifying and comparing latent fingerprints as described above may substitute for the required education. One year (2000 hours) of additional qualifying experience is considered equivalent to the 15 semester units of college coursework in Math, English/Composition and Science.

Verification:

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 https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

Note: Falsifying one’s 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.

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.

What else should I know?

SELECTION PLAN:

Background Investigation:

Prior to employment with the San Francisco Police Department, a thorough background investigation will be conducted to determine the candidate’s 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.

San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) job applicants would need to provide official verification consistent with the City's COVID-19 policy they are "Fully Vaccinated/Full Vaccination" before they can advance to the required Background Process phase of the recruitment process. "Fully Vaccinated" and "Full Vaccination" mean two weeks after completing the entire recommended series of vaccination (usually one or two doses) with a vaccine authorized to prevent COVID-19 by the FDA, including by way of an emergency use authorization, or by the World Health Organization (WHO). For example, an individual would be fully vaccinated at least two weeks after receiving a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after receiving the single dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. This SFPD specific COVID-19 vaccination applicant requirement supersedes the City's general COVID-19 vaccination new hire requirement.

• 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: https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/careers

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

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.