CRIMINALIST SUPERVISOR

State of California; California; On-site; USD 101,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice – State of California is seeking a Criminalist Supervisor (DNA Special Skills) to lead the DNA Data Bank program at the Richmond Laboratory. You will supervise Criminalists and Senior Criminalists, coordinate CODIS unit operations, and align procedures with FBI DNA QA standards and agency policies.

Responsibilities include advising on analyses, instrument troubleshooting, and training needs, while coordinating with the Familial Search supervisor to allocate resources

Qualifications

• Experience supervising Criminalists and Senior Criminalists.
• Knowledge of CODIS operations and DNA database handling.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the CODIS unit and supervise State CODIS Administrators.
• Ensure adherence to FBI DNA QA Standards and Bureau policies.
• Advise on DNA quality assurance and instrument troubleshooting.

Skills

Criminalist supervision

CODIS knowledge

Tools

CODIS

Job description

Job Posting: Criminalist Supervisor (DNA Special Skills)

Department of Justice

JC-535071 - Criminalist Supervisor (DNA Special Skills)

CRIMINALIST SUPERVISOR

$9,093.00 - $12,480.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/4/2026

The Data Bank Criminalist Supervisor supervises the Criminalists and Senior Criminalists who process DNA samples collected from qualified persons and submitted by California law enforcement agencies in accordance with applicable state law. Staff develop DNA profiles from these samples and import those DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) where they are searched against DNA profiles from evidence from unsolved crimes. The Data Bank Criminalist Supervisor assists, advises, and coordinates technical training for all Data Bank Criminalists and Senior Criminalists, determines operational area coordinators, and assigns and coordinates troubleshooting and validation and other specialized projects within the Data Bank Program under the direction of a Criminalist Manager. The Data Bank Criminalist Supervisor monitors, coordinates, schedules, and approves all of the activities and tasks of the Data Bank Criminalists and Senior Criminalists.

The candidate will supervise Criminalists and Senior Criminalists in the DNA Data Bank Program and collaborate with the entire management team. The candidate will be responsible for oversight of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) unit, including supervision of the State CODIS Administrator and State Alternate Administrator(s). The candidate will ensure adherence to National DNA Index System procedures, FBI DNA Quality Assurance Standards, and Bureau policies and procedures, advise criminalists on analyses and instrument troubleshooting, and may perform technical and administrative review of DNA Data Bank sample analyses. The candidate will coordinate with the Familial Search supervisor to ensure appropriate resource allocation, identify training needs, and provide consultation and instruction related to CODIS unit operations. The candidate will be expected to advise on DNA quality assurance, quality control, and the DNA technical procedures.

Minimum Requirements

• CRIMINALIST SUPERVISOR

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required.
• The position(s) requires incumbents pass a Background Investigation prior to being hired. The Background Investigation may include Criminal Background and a review of any governmental records.
• The position(s) requires incumbents pass a Drug Screening Test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.
• The position(s) requires incumbents pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

DOJ’s DNA programs comply with the FBI’s Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and Forensic DNA Databasing Laboratories. Consequently, it is desirable for a candidate for this Criminalist Supervisor position to have a background with DNA experience, including working knowledge of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and including successful completion of the following college coursework or classes (or the equivalent):

• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Statistics and/or Population Genetics

Candidates who have not completed the FBI QAS-required college coursework may apply for this position; however, only the most qualified candidates will be selected to move forward in the selection process.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Number of Positions

1

Work Location

Division of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Forensic Services, Richmond Laboratory.

Telework

In Office

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift

8am-5pm

Work Week

Monday-Friday

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Kerry Hoefling
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications

In a 1-2 page written narrative (i.e., essay format, no lists or bullets), please address the following questions. Please address each question individually and clearly label (e.g., “Question 1”, “Question 2”, “Question 3”) which question you are responding to in your submission.

Please note that failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications and/or failure to follow the specific instructions noted above may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Question 1: Describe your experience working with forensic laboratory instrumentation and equipment. In your response, identify the specific instruments and equipment you have worked with and explain the activities you have performed using them.

Question 2: Describe your experience leading and supervising others. For each of the leadership or supervisor positions that you have held, explain the number and level of employees and the scope and complexity of the work you have managed.

Question 3: Describe your knowledge of and experience with CODIS and DNA database operations. How has your experience prepared you to effectively oversee and evaluate work performed within this unit?

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.