Salary : $106,724.80 - $129,001.60 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number:
Business Area: 1914 - Police
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB INFORMATION

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Supervising Crime Scene Specialist positions oversee and perform the most complex collection, photography, preservation, and documentation of evidence at crime scenes for police investigations; prioritize and schedule work assignments; train subordinates and evaluate work performance; ensure that proper procedures are followed in collecting, preserving, and photographing evidence; ensure that the integrity of evidence has been maintained; write complex and technical reports; oversee staff providing testimony and serve as a subject matter expert in court on all phases of evidence collection and handling; maintain an inventory of supplies and equipment; research new product development; prepare budget estimates; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Candidates selected for this position will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check, before hire. Felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or use of any illegal drugs may be disqualifying.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must meet the following requirement on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE: Three years of full-time experience in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes. Qualifying experience MUST include photography and the collection, development and preservation of physical evidence (e.g., fingerprints, body fluids, firearms, trace evidence).

NOTES:

• An Associate's Degree or higher in Forensic Technology, Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, or a closely related field AND successful completion of coursework in fingerprint development, comparison, or identification; and forensic photography, may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• All coursework must be a full semester or quarter-length course and MUST include a lab component.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Supervisory experience in a crime lab.
• Certification as a Crime Scene Technician through the International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) or similar accrediting organization.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of degree/transcripts, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number; otherwise, they may miss employment opportunities.
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.

Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).

Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

or review the
01

I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Résumés are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03

If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04

The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of full-time experience do you have in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

06

In which of the following areas do you have full-time experience in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes?

• Photography
• Collection of physical evidence
• Development of physical evidence
• Preservation of physical evidence
• None of the above

07

Describe your full-time experience in a law enforcement agency processing crime scenes in the following areas: a. photography; b. collection of physical evidence; c. development of physical evidence; d. preservation of physical evidence. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area, and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in a specific area, write "None."
08

For each of the areas listed below, check the box if you have COLLECTED this type of physical evidence.

• Fingerprints
• Shoeprints
• Tire tracks/impressions
• Blood stains/biological evidence
• Trace evidence
• Firearms/other weapons
• General evidence
• Firearms comparison
• None of the above

09

For each of the areas listed below, check the box if you have DEVELOPED this type of physical evidence.

• Fingerprints
• Shoeprints/impressions
• Tiretracks/impressions
• Blood stains/chemical enhancement
• Tool marks/impressions
• Serial number restoration
• Articles of clothing
• Firearms comparison
• None of the above

10

For each of the areas listed below, check the box if you have PRESERVED this type of physical evidence.

• Fingerprints
• Shoeprints/impressions
• Tire tracks/impressions
• Blood stains
• Tool marks/impressions
• Firearms/other weapons
• Trace evidence
• General evidence
• None of the above

11

Do you possess an Associate's Degree or higher in Forensic Technology, Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, or a closely related field, which includes successful completion of course work in fingerprint development, comparison or identification; and forensic photography; and a lab component? NOTE: Attach proof of degree/transcripts to your application.

• Yes
• No

12

Indicate which of the following college-level courses you have completed.

• Fingerprint Development, Comparison or Identification
• Forensic Photography
• None of the above

13

If you are meeting the education requirement with an Associate's Degree or higher in a closely related field, specify degree.
14

Describe any supervisory experience in a crime lab. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience
15

Do you possess certification as a Crime Scene Technician through the International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) or similar accrediting organization?

• Yes
• No

16

I understand that these positions are located in the San Diego Police Department and that candidates will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check prior to hire.

• Yes
• No

17

I understand that felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or use of any illegal drugs may be disqualifying.

• Yes
• No

18

I understand that each case will be reviewed on an individual basis and that the areas identified in question 19 through 23 may impact your viability as a candidate.

• Yes
• No

19

Have you used marijuana or any illicit narcotics within the past five years?

• Yes
• No

20

Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

21

Have you been convicted for an act of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

22

Have you ever been the subject of a Restraining Order that has been upheld?

• Yes
• No

23

Have you ever been convicted of a DUI?

• Yes
• No

Required Question