Supervising Criminalist

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Manages, directs, and supervises the daily activities in a forensic specialty unit;

• Develops, administers, and implements laboratory systems, procedures, and techniques;

• Oversees research and experimentation to develop and improve analytical methods and procedures;

• Prepares statistical reports of work performed in the forensic specialty areas such as Audio-Video, Computer Forensics, Drug Chemistry, Trace Evidence, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Toxicology, Questioned Documents, Footwear/Shoe Print Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Analysis etc.;

• Consults and advises law enforcement regarding nature of evidence, laboratory analysis, and interpretation;

• Interprets findings for the courts and other legal hearings;

• Writes reports and standard operating procedures outlining methods and results;

• Ensures proper compliance and reporting with regulatory agencies;

• Evaluates and manages requests for analytical examinations and reviews case files and reports to ensure quality control, ability to support conclusions, and evaluate staff performance;

• Oversees training of staff in procedures and techniques of forensic science, and may assist in the more difficult or unusual evidence analysis;

• Resolves administrative, agency liaison, and technical problems associated with analysis, instrumentation repair and maintenance, and procedures;

• May ensure quality control and compliance with state laws and laboratory accreditation requirements;

• Solves technical problems and provides oversight of quality assurance program;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
  
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in a natural science, applied science, or in a related field.

and

Five (5) years full-time experience in the practice of criminalistics, of which, one (1) year must include experience performing complex physical, chemical, biological, and/or digital analyses related to scientific examination of physical evidence in criminal cases;

A Master's Degree or higher in a natural science, applied science, or related field may substitute for one (1) year of full-time experience in the practice of criminalistics.

Lead or supervisory experience is desirable.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of management, supervision and training;

• Principles, methods, materials and techniques in at least one specialty area of Criminalistics such Audio-Video, Computer Forensics, Drug Chemistry, Trace Evidence, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Toxicology, Questioned Documents, Footwear/Shoe Print Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Analysis etc.;

• Recent developments, new techniques and procedures in the scientific examination of evidence;

• Principles, methods, materials and techniques of criminalistics analysis;

• Rules of evidence and procedures of criminal and civil courts relative to expert witness testimony;

• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information in the field of criminalistics;

• General principles and applications of modern information systems;

• Quality assurance workflows, practices, and principles;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Manage, control, direct, supervise and train the staff and activities of a forensic specialty unit;

• Conduct complex chemical, instrumental, biological, digital or other laboratory analyses;

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including when serving as an expert in the presentation of laboratory findings;

• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate and concise records, case statistics, and reports;

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with law enforcement agencies, attorneys and others contacted in the course of work;

• Gain forensic certification in Criminalistics or a related specialty area;

• Read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;

• Use computer systems and applications.