County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office crime laboratory; to direct the activities of assigned staff, write reports, keep records and statistics, prepare budgets; manage and secure grant funding in furtherance of that general objective and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Crime Laboratory Director directs the technical program of evidence analysis in the crime laboratory of the Sheriff's Office. Incumbent is responsible for all forensic science services provided to Alameda County police agencies, or its contracts, including criminalistics, toxicology, crime scene investigation, fingerprint services, firearms evaluation, Gunshot Residue (GSR), National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), and DNA analysis and uploading to Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). This includes training and supervising subordinate staff and instructing officer members of the agency in laboratory techniques and methods of evidence collection. In addition to establishing policies and administrative procedures, the lab director is fully responsible for the yearly planning and day-to-day management of the crime laboratory and oversight of The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and Commission of Accredited Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: 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.

1. Plans, assigns, and supervises the activities of subordinate laboratory personnel; coordinates laboratory services with agency resources and other law enforcement agencies.
2. Conducts budget analyses, evaluates operating costs and prepares the annual crime laboratory budget. Approves laboratory equipment and supplies.
3. Oversees the examination of a wide variety of physical evidence found at the scenes of crimes through the use of scientific instruments and by the application of technical methods of analysis to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of such evidence; prepares exhibits and gives expert testimony in court on the results of such examinations.
4. Reviews and evaluates methods and techniques of laboratory analysis; develops new procedures involving unusual or difficult laboratory problems.
5. Interprets the results of laboratory findings to law enforcement officers; conducts special courses in laboratory methods, preservation of evidence, and related matters as required.
6 Establishes, evaluates, reviews and revises laboratory policies and procedures; oversees laboratory quality and accreditation programs.
7. Prepares and manages service contracts with clients.
8. Coordinates facility and equipment maintenance.
9. Develops and enforces Quality Assurance standards.
10. Conducts research to determine the best methods of performing casework.
11. Ensures compliance with CALEA and ASCLD Standards for accreditation.
12. Develops, procures and monitors grant funds.
13. Oversees the Forensic DNA program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in criminalistics, or in a closely related science such as chemistry, forensic science, toxicology, biochemistry or physics, from an accredited college or university. Possession of a Master’s Degree or higher in one of the areas noted above, or a closely related field is highly desirable.

And Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of experience in the class of Supervising Criminalist or Supervising DNA Criminalist in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of five years of full-time paid experience in forensic science case work, to include two years of administrative responsibility in the form of program supervision and case work, budget planning and preparation, and personnel selection.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.
Knowledge of:
• Methods and techniques used in examining crime scenes.
• Methods and evaluation of firearms.
• Methods and techniques used in laboratory analyses of various types of evidence including DNA.
• Principles of forensic, organic, and inorganic chemistry.
• Principles of Physiology, Physics, and Biochemistry.
• Photographic techniques and equipment used in police investigations.

Ability to:
• Make definitive analyses of evidence by physical and chemical tests.
• Use a wide variety of scientific equipment including microscopes, incubators, furnaces, micrometers, infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometers, gas chromatograph and high vacuum equipment.
• Use photographic equipment such as photomicrographic camera, macrophotographic equipment, digital camera and camcorders, and to train or assist other lab personnel in all of the above.
• Communicate orally and in writing.
• Plan and organize.
• Make decisions.
• Perform budget analyses.
• Exercise leadership and management control.
• Demonstrate flexibility and interpersonal sensitivity.
• Adapt to stress.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

HCW:laa 7/1/71-Rev.2/77
HC:ab Rev.4/85
Old doc: 0804h
New doc: 8527.doc
ys/10/01
CSC Date: 9/25/95
LN:po Revised 9/14/06
CSC Date: 12/6/2006

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.