Forensic Supervisor & Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor

Duties

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Supervising staff in the technical units of the laboratory
• Determining the types of analytical tests to be performed on evidence submitted for examination and coordinating the validation of new methods or equipment
• Assigning casework to laboratory personnel
• Testifying as an expert witness
• Ensuring compliance with Department and Division policies and procedures, including quality assurance guidelines
• Working with scientific equipment and instrumentation as well as complex computer systems and databases
• Working cooperatively with sworn and civilian members of law enforcement agencies
• Training less experienced staff and law enforcement personnel

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Competencies Required:

• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes

Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of State valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the field of Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or a closely related natural science field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrated ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology. At least one (1) year of the required experience must have included lead or supervisory responsibilities and experience as an expert witness in the respective disciplines.

Substitution: A Master’s degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

DNA Assignment Requirement:
A Forensic Supervisor assigned as a DNA Technical Leader must have three (3) years of forensic DNA analysis experience; at a minimum, a master's degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area; successfully completed at least nine (9) credit hours of coursework in biology or chemistry-related areas; successfully completed coursework in statistics or population genetics. The required coursework shall include at least one (1) graduate level course. If the degree requirements were waived by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) in accordance with criteria approved by the FBI Director, such a documented waiver shall be permanent and portable.

Other Requirements:
Background:A thorough background investigation shall be conducted. Appointees shall not have been convicted of a felony in this State or any other State or in any Federal Jurisdiction, or of an offense in any other State or in any Federal Jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this State.


For Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor -
License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of State valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the field of Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology or a closely related natural science field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Deputy Sheriff Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrated ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology. At least one (1) year of the required experience must have included lead or supervisory responsibilities and experience as an expert witness in the respective disciplines.

Substitution: A Master’s degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

DNA Assignment Requirement:
A Deputy Sheriff - Forensic Supervisor assigned as a DNA Technical Leader must have three (3) years of forensic DNA analysis experience; at a minimum, a master's degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area; successfully completed at least nine (9) credit hours of coursework in biology or chemistry-related areas; successfully completed coursework in statistics or population genetics. The required coursework shall include at least one (1) graduate level course. If the degree requirements were waived by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) in accordance with criteria approved by the FBI Director, such a documented waiver shall be permanent and portable.

Certificate Required: Within twelve (12) months from the date of appointment, applicant must successfully complete a POST certified Police Academy program and obtain a valid Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate (POST) issued by the State of California.

Other Requirements:
Age Requirement: At least 21 years of age.

Physical Requirement: Ability to meet such health standards as may be prescribed by the County Medical Consultant including no deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.

Hearing: Must not have suffered a hearing loss of over 25 decibels in the 500, 1000 and 2000 frequency ranges

Visual Acuity:20/100 uncorrected each eye; corrected to 20/30 each eye. No deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.

Background: A thorough background investigation shall be conducted. Appointees shall not have been convicted of a felony in this State or any other State or in any Federal Jurisdiction, or of an offense in any other State or in any Federal Jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this State.

Desirable Qualifications

• A Master's Degree or PH.D in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or a closely related natural science field
• Experience working in an accredited crime laboratory
• Experience working in or supervising a Crime Scene Unit
• Individual forensic certification

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