What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Sheriff - Forensic Manager position at Contra Costa College?
The Position
Bargaining Unit: DSA - Sheriff's Sworn Management Unit
Why join the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff?
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is the largest law enforcement agency in Contra Costa, with over 1,100 sworn and professional employees dedicated to providing the highest level of law enforcement and customer services. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff strives to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity and ethics. The Office of the Sheriff is dedicated to pursuing excellence in performance throughout the organization and in the community through the quality of its personnel.
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our team as a Deputy Sheriff Forensic Manager. Under the direction of the Chief of Forensic Services, the Deputy Sheriff Forensic Manager is responsible for supervising staff and overseeing facilities, safety, procurement, quality, and technical operations.
We Are Looking For Someone Who
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.
Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the field of Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology or a closely related natural science.
Experience: Five (5) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology. At least one (1) year of the required experience must have included supervisory responsibilities and experience evaluating the performance of direct reports.
Substitution for Experience: A Masters degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. No substitution for the supervisory experience is permitted.
Certificate Required: Within twelve (12) months from the date of appointment, applicant must successfully complete a POST certified Police Academy program and obtain a valid Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate (POST) issued by the State of California.
Physical Requirements: Ability to meet such health standards as may be prescribed by the County Medical Consultant including no deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.
Hearing: Must not have suffered a hearing loss of over 25 decibels in the 500, 1000 and 2000 frequency ranges.
Visual Acuity:20/100 uncorrected each eye; corrected to 20/30 each eye.
Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
Background Requirements: A thorough background investigation will be conducted. Appointees shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or of an offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state.
Desirable Qualifications
The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Christine Bissada at Christine.Bissada@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at 1 855-524-5627.
CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits
01
The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for the position and to assist Human Resources staff in assessing each applicant's qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating "see attached application" or "see resume."
Do you possess a valid driver's license? Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?
If you have a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or higher from an accredited college or university, select your degree major from the options below.
If you selected 'Other' as an option in the previous question, please mention your degree major in the box below. If this is not applicable, type N/A
06
How many years of experience do you have as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology?
Please indicate all areas in which you conducted comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework.
If you indicated you have five (5) years of full-time experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology briefly describe your experience AND specify the company names and employment dates during which you performed these duties. If you do not possess this experience, type N/A. (Note: Responses such as "See Resume" will not be considered.)
09
Of the five (5) years of full-time experience, did at least one (1) year include supervisory duties and responsibility for evaluating the performance of direct reports?
If you indicated that one (1) year of the five (5) years included supervisory duties and responsibility for evaluating the performance of direct reports, briefly describe your experience AND specify the company names and employment dates during which you performed these duties. If you do not possess this experience, type N/A. (Note: Responses such as "See Resume" will not be considered.)
11
Do you possess a POST certificate from a California Police Academy Program? If yes, please attach your POST certificate from a California Police Academy Program to your application
Do you possess a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate (POST) issued by the State of California? If yes, please attach your California Basic POST Certificate to your application
Applicants who do not currently hold a POST certificate from a Police Academy program or a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate issued by the State of California must, if hired, successfully complete both within twelve (12) months of appointment. If you prefer not to pursue both POST certifications, we encourage you to apply for the Forensic Manager position instead. You can apply by going to this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/jobs/5156070/forensic-manager?keywords=forensic&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
If hired, you must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation—conducted by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff—which includes a polygraph examination and all physical requirements outlined in the job announcement. Applicants also shall not be convicted of a felony or of any offense that would be a felony if committed in the state of California.
By checking this box, I am confirming that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and on the application are accurate and true; and I understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will result in being rejected from this recruitment process, or released from future employment with Contra Costa County.
Bargaining Unit: DSA - Sheriff's Sworn Management Unit
Why join the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff?
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is the largest law enforcement agency in Contra Costa, with over 1,100 sworn and professional employees dedicated to providing the highest level of law enforcement and customer services. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff strives to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity and ethics. The Office of the Sheriff is dedicated to pursuing excellence in performance throughout the organization and in the community through the quality of its personnel.
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join our team as a Deputy Sheriff Forensic Manager. Under the direction of the Chief of Forensic Services, the Deputy Sheriff Forensic Manager is responsible for supervising staff and overseeing facilities, safety, procurement, quality, and technical operations.
We Are Looking For Someone Who
- Values honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct
- Embraces opportunities for improvement, including the use of technology
- Communicates effectively with others, establishes and maintains strong relationships to achieve a common goal, and is a collaborative team player
- Applies critical thinking to decision-making and prioritization to meet the needs of the organization
- Embraces coaching and developing others
- Initiates tasks and responds positively to change
- Supervising staff, including reviewing, commending, and correcting the performance of subordinates
- Managing the quality assurance program
- Implementing the safety program and oversight of facility maintenance and security
- Using computer systems and database tools to manage operational metrics and performance
- Managing state and federal grants, including application, performance reporting, and budgets
- Managing procurement activities and authorizing related expenditures
- Making decisions in alignment with policies, procedures, and organizational goals
- Establishing and maintaining positive and professional working relationships with division and department personnel, along with external stakeholders
- You will work closely with a motivated and diverse team of professionals who are dedicated to serving the criminal justice system
- You may feel a sense of accomplishment in providing services that ultimately have a positive impact on the community
- You will work closely with the Chief of Forensic Services, making decisions to shape the future of the Crime Laboratory
- We offer competitive health benefits, paid vacation/sick/personal/admin time, and a great retirement plan
- You will often have to handle competing demands and shifting priorities, which require you to be flexible and adaptable
- You will be exposed to information and images of a disturbing nature
- You will often have to make high-stakes decisions in a fast-paced environment
- You will often have to recognize and promote employee well-being during times of high stress
- Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
- Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
- Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
- Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
- Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
- Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
- Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
- Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
- Influencing: Affecting or changing others’ positions and opinions
- Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal
- Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
- Managing & Facilitating Change: Addressing key factors that influence successful organizational change
- Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
Minimum Qualifications
License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.
Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in the field of Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology or a closely related natural science.
Experience: Five (5) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology. At least one (1) year of the required experience must have included supervisory responsibilities and experience evaluating the performance of direct reports.
Substitution for Experience: A Masters degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. No substitution for the supervisory experience is permitted.
Certificate Required: Within twelve (12) months from the date of appointment, applicant must successfully complete a POST certified Police Academy program and obtain a valid Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate (POST) issued by the State of California.
Physical Requirements: Ability to meet such health standards as may be prescribed by the County Medical Consultant including no deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.
Hearing: Must not have suffered a hearing loss of over 25 decibels in the 500, 1000 and 2000 frequency ranges.
Visual Acuity:20/100 uncorrected each eye; corrected to 20/30 each eye.
Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
Background Requirements: A thorough background investigation will be conducted. Appointees shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or of an offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state.
Desirable Qualifications
- Master’s Degree
- Experience working as a quality assurance manager in an accredited crime laboratory
- Experience with grant management
- Certification or certificate in leadership or management
- Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
- Online Oral Interview: Candidates who clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualification will be invited to participate in an online oral interview. This interview will be conducted virtually. The interview is designed to measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Forensic Manager classification. Candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed, as well as an overall passing score of 70% of higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Decision Making, Displaying Ownership and Accountability, Handling & Resolving Conflict, Managing Performance, and Project Management. (Weighted 100%)
- The interview is tentatively scheduled to take place on January 5, 2026 - January 11, 2026 The interview will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to participate in the interview, as well as computer or mobile device with a camera.
The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Christine Bissada at Christine.Bissada@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at 1 855-524-5627.
CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits
01
The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for the position and to assist Human Resources staff in assessing each applicant's qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating "see attached application" or "see resume."
- I understand
Do you possess a valid driver's license? Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License will be accepted during the application process.
- Yes
- No
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?
- `I do not have a GED or High School diploma
- G.E.D. equivalency
- High School Diploma/High School Proficiency Certificate
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctoral Degree
If you have a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or higher from an accredited college or university, select your degree major from the options below.
- Forensic Science
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Other
- Does not apply to me
If you selected 'Other' as an option in the previous question, please mention your degree major in the box below. If this is not applicable, type N/A
06
How many years of experience do you have as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology?
- 5 or more years of experience as described
- 4 or more, but less than 5 years of experience as described
- 3 or more, but less than 4 years of experience as described
- 2 or more, but less than 3 years of experience as described
- 1 or more, but less than 2 years of experience as described
- Less than 1 year of experience as described
- I do not have any experience as described
Please indicate all areas in which you conducted comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework.
- Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Latent Print
- Forensic Alcohol Analysis
- Solid Dosage Drug Analysis
- Toxicology
- Does not apply to me
If you indicated you have five (5) years of full-time experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrative ability in performing comprehensive examinations of complex forensic casework in one or more of the following areas: Forensic Biology/DNA: Comparative Evidence; Crime Scene Investigation; Latent Print; Forensic Alcohol Analysis; Solid Dosage Drug Analysis; or Toxicology briefly describe your experience AND specify the company names and employment dates during which you performed these duties. If you do not possess this experience, type N/A. (Note: Responses such as "See Resume" will not be considered.)
09
Of the five (5) years of full-time experience, did at least one (1) year include supervisory duties and responsibility for evaluating the performance of direct reports?
- Yes
- No
If you indicated that one (1) year of the five (5) years included supervisory duties and responsibility for evaluating the performance of direct reports, briefly describe your experience AND specify the company names and employment dates during which you performed these duties. If you do not possess this experience, type N/A. (Note: Responses such as "See Resume" will not be considered.)
11
Do you possess a POST certificate from a California Police Academy Program? If yes, please attach your POST certificate from a California Police Academy Program to your application
- Yes
- No
Do you possess a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate (POST) issued by the State of California? If yes, please attach your California Basic POST Certificate to your application
- Yes
- No
Applicants who do not currently hold a POST certificate from a Police Academy program or a Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certificate issued by the State of California must, if hired, successfully complete both within twelve (12) months of appointment. If you prefer not to pursue both POST certifications, we encourage you to apply for the Forensic Manager position instead. You can apply by going to this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/contracosta/jobs/5156070/forensic-manager?keywords=forensic&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
- I understand
If hired, you must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation—conducted by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff—which includes a polygraph examination and all physical requirements outlined in the job announcement. Applicants also shall not be convicted of a felony or of any offense that would be a felony if committed in the state of California.
- Yes, I understand
By checking this box, I am confirming that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and on the application are accurate and true; and I understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will result in being rejected from this recruitment process, or released from future employment with Contra Costa County.
- I agree
- Required Question