Program Coordinator

City of San Diego

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The San Diego Police Department is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Program Coordinator to support the Crime Laboratory Division through the coordination of critical administrative, operational, and programmatic functions that help advance forensic science services and public safety. The San Diego Police Department’s Crime Laboratory is a full-service Laboratory that employs over 100 personnel assigned to the following units: Administrative Support, Crime Scene, Firearms, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Technology, Latent Prints, Polygraph, Property and Evidence Narcotics Vault, the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory, and Trace Evidence. The Laboratory oversees and facilitates the following programs: Crime Scene Reconstruction, Safety, and Quality Assurance. The Crime Laboratory Program Coordinator assists the Captain/Program Manager in the administration, management, and oversight of forensic laboratory operations. This position provides leadership, strategic planning, and operational support to ensure the delivery of high-quality forensic services in compliance with applicable accreditation standards, legal requirements, and best practices. This position plays a key role in personnel management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Program Coordinator will represent the laboratory at high-level management, Department, and citywide meetings, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, investigators, attorneys and regulatory bodies, and participate in budget development, resource allocation, and procurement planning. The position requires a strong commitment to the public, with a major focus on problem-solving and would be expected to function independently. The position also requires independent judgment and decision-making to manage multiple and changing priorities. The Program Coordinator must be sensitive and aware of the special needs and confidentiality issues involved with this position. The City is seeking exceptional individuals who want to make a positive impact through their work, serve their community proudly, and are excited to come to work every day. Education and experience studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every task listed in the job description. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications, and we encourage you to apply if you are interested.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in forensic science, criminalistics, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field
Five (5) years of professional forensic science work experience
Three (3) years of supervising in a laboratory environment

Nice To Haves

Management experience in a forensic laboratory
Graduate degree in any of the aforementioned sciences
Grant writing with special attention given to grant writing that resulted in awards
Accreditation experience with ANAB or other accreditation body
Contract management
Demonstrated history of innovation, technology implementation, and process improvement

Responsibilities

Review, modify, develop, and implement department/divisional rules and policies
Participate in the development and administration of the Crime Laboratory annual budget
Administration over lab-wide projects
Review and evaluate work methods and procedures
Ensure Quality Assurance and Accreditation requirements are current and being met
Supervise and review the work of assigned staff
Oversee the Crime Scene Reconstruction, Safety, and Quality Assurance Programs
Handle discipline issues within the Crime Laboratory
Handle staff development, training, and maintenance

Benefits

Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.)
A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year
Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services)
Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate
Reduced-rate fitness center memberships
City-paid life insurance