Career Opportunity

Criminalist II, Forensic Biology DNA – Police (8260)

Recruitment: RTF0129050-01108659

Published: November 03, 2023

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

About:

The San Francisco Police Department was established in 1849 and continually strives to become a more effective, inclusive and modern police department, while earning the trust and pride of those we serve and those who serve.  Our goal is to reflect on current SFPD initiatives, assess best practices across the country, and evaluate the changing environment in policing and within the City to arrive at a strategy statement that the Department and our community can embody every day.

The San Francisco Police Department stands for Safety and Respect for All. We will engage in just transparent unbiased and responsive policing. We will do so in the spirit of dignity and in collaboration with the community. And we will maintain and build trust and respect as the guardians of Constitutional and human rights.

The San Francisco Police Department is committed to excellence in law enforcement and is dedicated to the people, traditions and diversity of our City. The department provides service with understanding, response with compassion, performance with integrity and law enforcement with vision. The department has grown into a nationally known police department providing law enforcement services to one of the most recognized cities in the United States.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening: November 3, 2023
• Application Deadline: Apply immediately, announcement may close any time after 2 weeks from posting date.
• Class & Compensation: $126,256 - $153,478
• Recruitment ID: PBT-8260-129051
• Work Location: 1995 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Role description

The 8260 Criminalist II position is located at the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Forensic Services Division Crime Lab. Under general supervision, the Criminalist II – Forensic Biology (DNA) specialty, evaluates and examines the nature, origin and significance of physical evidence in criminal investigations.

Essential Duties:

• Examining evidence in criminal investigation for presence of biological evidence.
• Performing chemical and genetic analyses of biological evidence.
• Interpreting data.
• Preparing detailed notes and reports of scientific findings.
• Retrieving evidence from SFPD property control and/or from Medical Examiner’s office.
• Complying with established quality control and safety standards.
• Participating in technical and administrative review process.
• Preparing casework folders.
• Entering case information into a computer tracking system.
• Maintaining and operating laboratory instruments.
• Participating in semi-annual DNA-typing proficiency tests.
• Providing impartial expert testimony in court and providing technical assistance to civilian and sworn personnel.
• Examines evidence in criminal investigations visually, microscopically or through other tests to identify evidence of blood, semen, hair, etc.
• Genetically discriminates evidence such as blood, semen, hair, and bone through DNA testing to provide information regarding potential contributor of the evidence.
• Adheres to established policies and protocols in handling of biological evidence.
• Participates in peer review process by having criminalists review each other's caseload to ensure adherence to all lab standards.
• The Criminalist II also performs other related duties as required. Some assignments may require working weekends and/or holidays.

How to qualify

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: Two years of full-time casework experience working in a laboratory performing duties of a criminalist (equivalent to the City's 8259 Criminalist I); AND
3. License: Possession of a valid driver’s 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.

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 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.

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.

Selection Procedures: 

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight: Qualifying): Applicants will be required to complete a Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire that will be emailed. Applicants will be required to respond to the MQSQ in the time frame indicated, and submit their answers as directed. 

Oral Exam (Weight: 100%):
Candidates will be tested to determine their relative knowledge, skill and ability level in job related areas, which may include but are not limited to: knowledge of current principles, methods and materials needed to examine items of physical evidence to identify biological materials; knowledge of the fundamental principles of forensic DNA analysis; knowledge of basic and advanced laboratory procedures, equipment and apparatuses used in a genetic laboratory setting; skill in handling, assessing, and manipulating of lab specimens; ability to perform routine and complex analytical procedures following established methods; ability to perform forensic DNA analytical procedures following established guidelines; ability to interpret data generated by laboratory tests, and draw appropriate conclusions and inferences following established standards; ability to present key facts, points, or inferences, orally, in a clear, organized and concise format; ability to prioritize workload as needed to accommodate high priority cases (flexibility).

Passing Score: Candidates must obtain a passing score on the Oral Exam in order to be placed on the score report for positions in this job class.

Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions. 

Certification Rule: The certification rule for the ranked eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of 10 scores. The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Upon approval of the Human Resource Director (see Civil Service Rule 111A.26.5), the eligible list/score report resulting from this announcement may be used by other departments that also use this classification or a similar classification.

To find other Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/ASO-Level-Chart.pdf?documentID=21246

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

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.

What else should I know?

Recruiter Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Human Resources analyst, Danny Wan at danny.wan@sfgov.org.

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
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

SFPD Recruitment: https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/careers

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.