Criminalist III, Forensic Breath Alcohol and Controlled Substances Supervisor - SFPD (8262)

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

Under direction, the Criminalist III supervises, trains and evaluates criminalists engaged in the scientific examination and evaluation of physical evidence associated with controlled substances in criminal investigations, gunshot residue analysis and directs and supports the forensic breath alcohol program, establishes and maintains operating procedures, serves as a technical expert and must also be able to provide impairment testimony. The San Francisco Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory is divided into three areas: General Criminalistics (chemical analysis; including forensic breath alcohol program), Firearms / Impression Evidence and Trace Evidence, and Forensic Biology (DNA).

Requirements

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. Course work must include 8 semester units of chemistry with lab, 8 semester units of organic chemistry with lab, and 4 semester units of quantitative analysis with lab.
Experience: Four years (4) of full-time professional experience working in a laboratory performing duties of a criminalist (equivalent to the City's 8260 Criminalist II)
License: Possession of a valid driver's license.
Substitution: Postgraduate degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area may be substituted for one (1) year of the required full-time experience.

Responsibilities

Develops and updates written procedures for evidence analysis, data interpretation, case note composition, and maintenance.
Reviews requests for laboratory services as to the merit, urgency, and scope of the request.
Monitors the forensic breath alcohol program by downloading breath test results and maintaining the accuracy and calibration records.
Identifies controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, and pharmaceuticals through chemical analysis.
Conducts administrative and technical reviews of all case files and reports.
Coach, review, and correct the work of subordinate staff; measure the performance of subordinate staff and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
Establishes and implements a documented program to ensure that instruments and equipment are properly maintained and calibrated.
Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.
Ensures current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence.
Confers with Investigators and District Attorneys to discuss case priorities.
Attends professional meetings to maintain communication with other agencies, and to keep abreast of innovations that may be useful to the Unit.
Perform related duties and responsibilities, as assigned