City and County of San Francisco
Criminalist III, Forensic Breath Alcohol and Controlled Substances Supervisor -
City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Criminalist III, Forensic Breath Alcohol and Controlled Substances Supervisor – SFPD (8262)
San Francisco Police Department (SFPD)
The San Francisco Police Department was established in 1849 and continually strives to become a more effective, inclusive, and modern police department. SFPD is committed to excellence in law enforcement and dedicated to the people, traditions, and diversity of our city.
Job Summary 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. The supervisor establishes and maintains operating procedures, serves as a technical expert, and must also be able to provide impairment testimony.
Application Timeline
Application Opening: November 14, 2025
Application Deadline: Immediate (may close anytime after 2 weeks from posting date)
Work Location: 1995 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA
Essential Duties
Develop and update written procedures for evidence analysis, data interpretation, case note composition, and maintenance.
Review requests for laboratory services to determine merit, urgency, and scope.
Monitor the forensic breath alcohol program by downloading breath test results and maintaining accuracy and calibration records.
Identify controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, and pharmaceuticals through chemical analysis.
Conduct administrative and technical reviews of all case files and reports.
Coach, review, and correct the work of subordinate staff; measure performance and recommend disciplinary action as appropriate.
Establish and implement a documented program to ensure instruments and equipment are properly maintained and calibrated.
Present court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.
Ensure current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence.
Confere with investigators and district attorneys to discuss case priorities.
Attend professional meetings to maintain communication with other agencies and keep abreast of innovations that may be useful to the unit.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in criminalistics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a closely related physical science field. Coursework 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:
Valid driver’s license.
Substitution:
Postgraduate degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science‑related area may substitute for one (1) year of the required full‑time experience.
Verification of Education and Experience Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Verification instructions are available at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.
Background Investigation Prior to employment, a thorough background investigation will be conducted to determine the candidate’s suitability. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, criminal history records, driving records, drug/alcohol screening, and related employment and personal history records.
Equal Employment Opportunity The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of protected status under the law.
Contact If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the recruitment analyst, Danny Wan at danny.wan@sfgov.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The San Francisco Police Department was established in 1849 and continually strives to become a more effective, inclusive, and modern police department. SFPD is committed to excellence in law enforcement and dedicated to the people, traditions, and diversity of our city.
Job Summary 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. The supervisor establishes and maintains operating procedures, serves as a technical expert, and must also be able to provide impairment testimony.
Application Timeline
Application Opening: November 14, 2025
Application Deadline: Immediate (may close anytime after 2 weeks from posting date)
Work Location: 1995 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA
Essential Duties
Develop and update written procedures for evidence analysis, data interpretation, case note composition, and maintenance.
Review requests for laboratory services to determine merit, urgency, and scope.
Monitor the forensic breath alcohol program by downloading breath test results and maintaining accuracy and calibration records.
Identify controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, and pharmaceuticals through chemical analysis.
Conduct administrative and technical reviews of all case files and reports.
Coach, review, and correct the work of subordinate staff; measure performance and recommend disciplinary action as appropriate.
Establish and implement a documented program to ensure instruments and equipment are properly maintained and calibrated.
Present court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.
Ensure current test methodologies satisfy court requirements for validity and admissibility as evidence.
Confere with investigators and district attorneys to discuss case priorities.
Attend professional meetings to maintain communication with other agencies and keep abreast of innovations that may be useful to the unit.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Education:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in criminalistics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a closely related physical science field. Coursework 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:
Valid driver’s license.
Substitution:
Postgraduate degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science‑related area may substitute for one (1) year of the required full‑time experience.
Verification of Education and Experience Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Verification instructions are available at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.
Background Investigation Prior to employment, a thorough background investigation will be conducted to determine the candidate’s suitability. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, criminal history records, driving records, drug/alcohol screening, and related employment and personal history records.
Equal Employment Opportunity The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of protected status under the law.
Contact If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the recruitment analyst, Danny Wan at danny.wan@sfgov.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr