Forensics Supervisor

Why Join Team SB

The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong leadership skills to guide staff, oversee complex crime scene investigations, and ensure the highest level of accuracy and integrity in all forensic work. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to make a direct impact on public safety and contribute to the department’s commitment to excellence and justice.

What You'll Be Doing Here

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced and detail-oriented forensic professional with a strong background in crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and staff supervision. They demonstrate sound judgment, technical expertise, and the ability to lead and mentor team members effectively. The incumbent maintains professionalism in sensitive situations, ensures the integrity of evidence handling, and produces accurate reports and credible testimony. The ideal candidate values teamwork, accountability, and upholding the highest standards of forensic practice in support of the department’s mission.

A Day in the Life:
A typical day as a Forensics Supervisor involves leading and supporting a team of Forensic Specialists in the collection and analysis of physical evidence from crime scenes. The supervisor reviews reports, ensures proper evidence handling, and provides technical guidance on complex or sensitive cases.

Throughout the day, they may visit active crime scenes, oversee laboratory work, and collaborate with detectives and officers to ensure thorough and accurate documentation. The role also includes mentoring staff, maintaining equipment and supplies, and preparing evidence and reports for court presentations. Each day offers a mix of fieldwork, supervision, and analytical responsibilities that contribute directly to successful investigations and the pursuit of justice.

What You Need to Qualify

Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D.; completion of a college-level forensics science program; AND at least five (5) years of forensics experience including fingerprinting, photography, and evidence handling; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:
A valid California driver’s license is required.
Desirable certifications include:
IAI-Certified Latent Print Examiner.
IAI-Certified Forensic Photographer.
IAI Crime Scene Certification as either a Crime Scene Technician, Crime Scene Analyst or Senior Crime Scene Analyst.
SCAFO-Certified Latent Print Examiner.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Employees work under varied office, lab and field conditions and the noise level may range from quiet to loud. May be exposed to fumes, gases, grease, chemicals, blood borne pathogens, and other biohazards, and inclement weather. Employees may be required to take aerial photographs in a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Will be assigned to varied work shifts, including holidays and weekends. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to manipulate, handle, and feel computers and standard business equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk, climb a ladder up to two stories, and may be required to lift and carry supplies and materials weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and vision sufficient to read small print, computer screens and other printed documents.

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state and local laws; and rules, regulations, and procedures relating to evidence collection, preservation, and analysis.
• Police terminology and relevant penal code sections.
• Advanced principles, methods, and techniques utilized in collection, identification comparison, and preservation of physical evidence in accordance with legal and court requirements.
• Techniques used to obtain fingerprints from live persons, dead bodies, and bodies in advanced state of decomposition.
• Methods and techniques in the operation of film and digital photographic equipment and development of photographs for criminal identification and investigation.
• Modern fingerprint classification systems currently in use in law enforcement; and fingerprint pattern recognition.
• Rules of evidence and requirements for chain of custody.
• Safety precautions and regulatory requirements applicable to the use, storage, and disposal of biohazards and chemicals.
• Methods and techniques of collecting gunshot residue.
• Use of various specialized equipment for evidence collection and analysis.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Basic principles and practices of supervision and training.

• Performing complex and sensitive assignments involving the collection, preservation, preparation, and analysis of physical evidence in accordance with all applicable legal requirements and court standards.
• Providing work direction, guidance, and training to other Forensics Specialists, including assigning, scheduling, and reviewing their work.
• Organizing, setting priorities, and exercising sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Collecting, assembling, analyzing, and preserving physical evidence in accordance with all applicable legal requirements and court standards.
• Comparing latent and known fingerprints.
• Operating specialized equipment and techniques used in the collection, analysis, and preservation of evidence.
• Fingerprinting dead bodies in advanced state of decomposition; rolling and filing fingerprints.
• Operating varied film and digital photographic equipment, developing prints, and enlarging photographs.
• Using vacuum sweeping techniques in searching for trace evidence.
• Testifying authoritatively in court on the collection, preservation, and maintenance of evidence.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintaining the confidentiality of privileged information.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City and Department officials, staff, sworn personnel, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Recruitment Timeline

This recruitment will close on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm, or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications review: Week of December 1st, 2025

How to Apply and What to Expect Next

All applicants are required to submit an online application through the City’s official website at www.sbcity.org. This recruitment will remain open until Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Applications must be fully completed and clearly demonstrate that the minimum qualifications for the position are met. All information provided is subject to review, investigation, and verification. While resumes may be uploaded as supplemental documentation, they will not be accepted in place of a fully completed City application.

Following the initial screening, the most qualified candidates whose backgrounds best match the needs of the City will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement. Candidates will remain under consideration until a final selection is made and an offer is accepted. The City of San Bernardino reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time and may determine that none of the applicants, including those who meet the minimum qualifications, are suitable for the position.

Accordingly, the City will provide information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm authorization to work in the United States.

For more information about E-Verify, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department directly at (909) 998-2060.

This bulletin is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied. Its contents may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.

The San Bernardino Police Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of all forms of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment and retaliation (Government Code §12940(k); 2 CCR 11023).

For questions regarding this recruitment, contact Stephanie Rivera at Rivera_es@sbcity.org. Additional information is available at www.sbcity.org.