Supervising Crime Scene Specialist

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego is seeking a Supervising Crime Scene Specialist to oversee complex collection, photography, preservation, and documentation of evidence at crime scenes for police investigations.

The role includes training staff, assigning work, evaluating performance, and producing detailed reports. Court testimony as an expert may be required, and a valid California driver license is necessary.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time experience in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes.
• Must include photography and the collection, development and preservation of physical evidence.
• An Associate’s Degree or higher may substitute for up to one year of required experience, with labs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and perform the most complex collection, photography, preservation, and documentation of evidence at crime scenes for police investigations.
• Train subordinates, schedule work, and evaluate work performance.
• Write complex, technical reports and testify in court as an expert.

Skills

Photography

Evidence collection

Report writing

Leadership

Training staff

Education

Associate's Degree or higher in Forensic Technology/Forensic Science/CSI

Tools

Crime scene photography equipment

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Supervising Crime Scene Specialist positions oversee and perform the most complex collection, photography, preservation, and documentation of evidence at crime scenes for police investigations; prioritize and schedule work assignments; train subordinates and evaluate work performance; ensure that proper procedures are followed in collecting, preserving, and photographing evidence; ensure that the integrity of evidence has been maintained; write complex and technical reports; oversee staff providing testimony and serve as a subject matter expert in court on all phases of evidence collection and handling; maintain an inventory of supplies and equipment; research new product development; prepare budget estimates; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Candidates selected for this position will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check, before hire. Felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or use of any illegal drugs may be disqualifying.

EXPERIENCE

Three years of full-time experience in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes. Qualifying experience MUST include photography and the collection, development and preservation of physical evidence (e.g., fingerprints, body fluids, firearms, trace evidence).

NOTES:

• An Associate’s Degree or higher in Forensic Technology, Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, or a closely related field AND successful completion of coursework in fingerprint development, comparison, or identification; and forensic photography, may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• All coursework must be a full semester or quarter-length course and MUST include a lab component.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Supervisory experience in a crime lab.
• Certification as a Crime Scene Technician through the International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) or similar accrediting organization.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: [phone]; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number; otherwise, they may miss employment opportunities.