Forensic Supervisor & Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor

The Position

Bargaining Unit: DSA - Deputy Sheriff's Non-Sworn Rank & File Unit

Forensic Supervisor (6CHB)

$159,423.23 - $198,624.40 Annually

Deputy Sheriff Supervisor (6DHB)

$160,181.62 - $204,436.76 Annually

Why join the Office of the Sheriff at Contra Costa County?
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff is recruiting to fill a vacancy in the Forensic Services Division (FSD) for a Forensic Supervisor and/or Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor in the Biology Unit. The eligible list may be used to fill vacancies in any technical unit in the Forensic Services Division.
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 Office of the Sheriff offers a full range of services to over 1,000,000 residents in the 715-square mile county. The duties and mission of the Sheriff's Office are unlike most police agencies. Responsibilities include unincorporated area policing, contract cities (Danville, Lafayette, and Orinda) and special districts, air support (helicopters), marine patrol, dispatch, investigations, coroners, county detention facilities, custody alternative, court security, forensic services, police academy, and Office of Emergency Services.

Forensic Supervisors supervise technical and support personnel of one or more units in the Forensic Services Division and perform related work as required. They serve as first line supervisors in the Criminalist series. The Forensic Supervisor assigns, reviews, and coordinates the daily work activities of technical and support personnel. This classification is also responsible for monitoring quality assurance policies and procedures, coordinating training of personnel, conducting personnel evaluations, and handling low-level disciplinary actions.

The Forensic Supervisor may be assigned to specialty assignments such as Division Quality Assurance Manager, Safety Coordinator, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Administrator, or DNA Technical Leader.

We are looking for someone who:

• Values honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct
• Understands the importance of quality, impartiality, confidentiality, efficiency, and effectiveness in conducting forensic examinations
• Possesses a strong fundamental knowledge of science, including laboratory safety, and is committed to career-long learning in forensics
• Approaches change positively and maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment
• Identifies and understands problems and opportunities and takes common-sense action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and consequences
• Is detail-oriented, hardworking, and results-driven as often multiple assignments and priorities must be balanced in a fast-paced environment
• Maintains focus under pressure and exhibits stable performance under stress or opposition
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing to clearly convey information and ideas

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Supervising staff in the technical units of the laboratory
• Determining the types of analytical tests to be performed on evidence submitted for examination and coordinating the validation of new methods or equipment
• Assigning casework to laboratory personnel
• Testifying as an expert witness
• Ensuring compliance with Department and Division policies and procedures, including quality assurance guidelines
• Working with scientific equipment and instrumentation as well as complex computer systems and databases
• Working cooperatively with sworn and civilian members of law enforcement agencies
• Training less experienced staff and law enforcement personnel

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work with a dedicated team of professionals in an environment that provides career long learning and training opportunities
• You will have the personal satisfaction that comes from applying your knowledge and skills in a field that directly benefits communities through service to the criminal justice system
• You will have the ability to work with cutting-edge forensic technologies
• You will have the opportunity to learn about multiple forensic disciplines

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will have difficult conversations with staff including counseling and discipline
• You will work in a stressful environment that includes prioritizing multiple assignments with competing deadlines and encountering disturbing information about crimes
• You may be expected to respond to crime scenes and autopsies, including being called out to crime scenes after hours, including holidays and weekends
• You may be asked to work overtime to meet the needs of our customers

Competencies Required:

• 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
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• 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
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes

The eligible list established from this recruitment process will be valid for 6 months and will be used to fill vacancies in the Forensic Supervisor and Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor classifications.

To read the complete job descriptions, please visit the website: www.cccounty.us/hr

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 field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrated 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 lead or supervisory responsibilities and experience as an expert witness in the respective disciplines.

Substitution: A Master’s degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

DNA Assignment Requirement:
A Forensic Supervisor assigned as a DNA Technical Leader must have three (3) years of forensic DNA analysis experience; at a minimum, a master's degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area; successfully completed at least nine (9) credit hours of coursework in biology or chemistry-related areas; successfully completed coursework in statistics or population genetics. The required coursework shall include at least one (1) graduate level course. If the degree requirements were waived by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) in accordance with criteria approved by the FBI Director, such a documented waiver shall be permanent and portable.

Other Requirements:
Background: A thorough background investigation shall 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.

For Deputy Sheriff Forensic Supervisor -
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 field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent of progressively responsible experience as a Deputy Sheriff Criminalist or equivalent classification with demonstrated 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 lead or supervisory responsibilities and experience as an expert witness in the respective disciplines.

Substitution: A Master’s degree or PhD in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or Toxicology or a closely related natural science field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

DNA Assignment Requirement:
A Deputy Sheriff - Forensic Supervisor assigned as a DNA Technical Leader must have three (3) years of forensic DNA analysis experience; at a minimum, a master's degree in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area; successfully completed at least nine (9) credit hours of coursework in biology or chemistry-related areas; successfully completed coursework in statistics or population genetics. The required coursework shall include at least one (1) graduate level course. If the degree requirements were waived by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) in accordance with criteria approved by the FBI Director, such a documented waiver shall be permanent and portable.

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.

Other Requirements:
Age Requirement: At least 21 years of age.

Physical Requirement: 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. No deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors.

Background: A thorough background investigation shall 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 -

• A Master's Degree or PH.D in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or a closely related natural science field
• Experience working in an accredited crime laboratory
• Experience working in or supervising a Crime Scene Unit
• Individual forensic certification

Selection Process

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.Forensic Supervisor Multiple Choice Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the Forensic Supervisor Multiple Choice Assessment. The multiple choice assessment will be administered via a web-based platform. The Multiple Choice assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Criminalist series. These may include, but are not limited to: delivering results, professional and technical expertise, safety focus, adaptability, displaying ownership and accountability, handling stress, professional integrity and ethics, self-management, informing, building and maintaining relationships, handling and resolving conflict, and involving others. (Weight 100%). The Forensic Supervisor Multiple Choice Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) on July 20, 2026, through July 26, 2026.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

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

Closing Date/Time: 7/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

925-655-2100 Show more