County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

The Supervising DNA Criminalist will assist the Crime Laboratory Director in the supervision of Criminalists and other laboratory personnel; perform technical laboratory analysis of physical evidence of crime; testify in court as an expert witness; and do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Supervising DNA Criminalist is responsible for scheduling, assigning and evaluating personnel and the work of the crime laboratory. The incumbent may personally handle the more complex laboratory problems. This position is distinguished from the Supervising Criminalist position in that the primary responsibility of the Supervising DNA Criminalist is supervision of the DNA Unit within the Criminalistics Laboratory. This position will report to the Crime Laboratory Director and may act for the Director during the Director’s absence.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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

1. Supervises Quality Control activities of the Criminalists assigned to the DNA Unit to include preparation and verification of reagent lots, routine calibration checks of equipment, routine monitoring of Quality Control sample results and quarterly review of compiled Quality Control logs including such logs as temperature logs, calibration logs, thermal cycler logs, hot shaker logs and kit logs.

2. Reviews and proposes changes of additions to the DNA Quality Assurance procedures, or modifications to existing procedures. Oversees the development and validation of new DNA typing capabilities, including the preparation of final casework protocols and quality Control Procedures.

3. Supervises the day-to-day activities of a group of Criminalists and support personnel in the Crime laboratory; assigns and reviews work; advises Criminalists in the performance of duties; trains employees; maintains records of work performed; prepares personnel efficiency reports; and interviews applicants for employment.

4. Supervises or oversees one or more of the forensic disciplines with the Crime Laboratory in order to maintain compliance with: (1) Laboratory accreditation standards, (2) Governmental regulatory requirements, (3) Departmental and Laboratory policies and procedures, (4) DNA Quality Assurance Standards.

5. Performs or supervises 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 characteristics of such evidence.

6. Prepares material for presentation in court; appears as an expert witness; and interprets results of laboratory findings to law enforcement personnel.

7. Confers with employees on matters affecting the efficiency of laboratory and field operations.

8. Authorizes the purchases of supplies and equipment in accordance with need; may manage state or federal grant projects; may assist the Crime Laboratory Director with the annual budget.

9. Prepares reports and maintains records of laboratory findings.

10. May be required to supervise others.

11. May act for the Crime Laboratory Director during the Director’s absence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of three years full-time experience in a forensic DNA crime laboratory as a Criminalist or Forensic Chemist including one year in the class of Criminalist III in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

And

Education:

The education requirements for DNA Technical Leader as specified by the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) or equivalent body as directed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Currently, those requirements are:

1. A Graduate degree in biology, chemistry or forensic science related area or a waiver of the graduate degree requirement, from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors obtained between 10/1/98 and 10/1/00

AND,

2. A minimum of 12 credit hours or its equivalent including a combination of graduate and undergraduate course work covering the subject areas of: Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Statistics and/or Population Genetics.

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience as a Criminalist or Forensic Chemist in a Crime Lab, three years of which involved full-time experience in a forensic DNA laboratory.


And

Education:

The education requirements for DNA Technical Leader as specified by the DNA Advisory Board (DAB) or equivalent body as directed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Currently, those requirements are:

1. A Graduate degree in biology, chemistry or forensic science related area or a waiver of the graduate degree requirement, from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors obtained between 10/1/98 and 10/1/00

AND,

2. A minimum of 12 credit hours or its equivalent including a combination of graduate and undergraduate course work covering the subject areas of: Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Statistics and/or Population Genetics.

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:

• Laboratory health and safety procedures.
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and DNA Advisory Board quality assurance accreditation standards.
• Principles of quality assurance and quality management.
• Methods and techniques used in examining crime scenes.
• The principles of forensic science, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, photography, molecular biology, statistics, genetics and natural sciences as related to criminalistics.
• Modern criminal investigation and identification techniques and procedures.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information in the field of criminalistics.
• Preservation of biological evidence.

Ability to:

• Conduct DNA typing analysis on biological evidence.
• Conduct chemical, physical and microscopic examinations as required.
• Conduct on-the-scene investigations of crime.
• Relate pieces of evidence to each other and draw logical conclusions.
• Present evidence clearly and accurately in court when called on as an expert witness.
• Prepare clear and concise reports of findings.
• Operate advanced laboratory instrumentation, such as spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray, GC-MS, photographic equipment, thermal cycler, ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer, laboratory information systems.
• Provide training and assist in evaluating work of others.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Plan and organize.
• Make decisions.
• Exercise leadership and management control.
• Demonstrate flexibility and interpersonal sensitivity.
• Adapt to stress.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

ID:pf 10/17/02
Newspec: 8528.doc
CSC Date: 2/5/03

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.