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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 14, 2025

+ Application Deadline: Apply immediately, announcement may close any time after 2 weeks from posting date.

+ Class & Compensation: $173,238 - $210,574 (https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=8262&setId=COMMN)

+ Work Location: 1995 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA

+ 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.

Under the general direction of the Criminalistics Laboratory Manager, the Criminalist III supervises the day-to-day activities of the Forensic Biology (DNA) Unit of the San Francisco Police Department Criminalistics Laboratory. 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).

Essential Duties:

+ Reviews requests for laboratory services as to the merit, urgency, and scope of the request.

+ Develops, updates and implements written procedures to ensure compliance with ASCLD/LAB accreditation and federally mandated DNA Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic Testing Laboratories.

+ Provides technical assistance to staff in the examination and evaluation of physical evidence.

+ Coaches, reviews, and corrects the work of subordinate staff; measures the performance of subordinate staff and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.

+ Conducts administrative and technical reviews of case files and reports.

+ Oversees safety programs.

+ Ensures current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence

+ Administering proficiency testing (internal and external), reviewing results and recommending remedial action as necessary.

+ Prepares written budget requests; manages state and/or federal grant programs.

+ Prepares the DNA Unit for yearly audits.

+ Performs the more complex identification, analyses and interpretation of physical evidence, including biological material such as blood, semen, and saliva.

+ Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.

+ Related duties as assigned.

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: Four (4) years of full-time professional casework experience working in a forensic DNA laboratory performing duties of a criminalist (equivalent to the City’s 8260 Criminalist II (https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=8262&setId=COMMN)  classification). 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.

Desirable Qualification:

+ Experience with computer database management related to forensic DNA analysis.

Verification of Education and Experience: Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#qualifications)  and Verification of Experience and/or Education (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#verification)  for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants will be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience during the recruitment and selection process.

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. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

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 recruitment analyst, Danny Wan at [email protected].

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

+ Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)

+ Conviction History

+ Employee Benefits Overview  (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)

+ Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)

+ Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)

+ ADA Accommodation

+ Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)

+ Copies of Application Documents

+ Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)

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.