Career Opportunity

Criminalist I, Crime Scene Investigation – SFPD (8259)

Recruitment: RTF0152203-01139475

Published: October 30, 2024

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

About:

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) 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. We will continuously 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: October 30, 2024
• Application Deadline: Apply immediately, announcement may close any time after 5 days from posting date.
• Class & Compensation: $97,344 - $118,274
• Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt - This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 36 months.
• Work Location: 1995 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124.
• Work Schedule: Full-time. On-call/standby and weekend shifts.

Role description

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 perform 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.

This 8259 will be assigned to Crime Scene Investigation Unit

Essentials Duties & Responsibilities:

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.

Perform related duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

How to qualify

To be considered, you must possess the following education and experience:

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.

AND

2. License: Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Verification of Education: Applicants are required to submit verification of qualifying education and coursework. 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.

What else should I know?

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.

Recruiter Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Staff Services 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
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

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

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.