Program Coordinator - San Diego Police Department - 901 (Unclassified)

Posting number: 901

Department: 1914 - Police

Division: 4000 - Police

Job classification: Generic Unclassified Class Spec

Posting type: Open

Categories: Management

Summary

The San Diego Police Department is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Program Coordinator to support the Crime Laboratory Division through the coordination of critical administrative, operational, and programmatic functions that help advance forensic science services and public safety.

The San Diego Police Department’s Crime Laboratory is a full-service laboratory that employs over 100 personnel assigned to the following units: Administrative Support, Crime Scene, Firearms, Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Technology, Latent Prints, Polygraph, Property and Evidence Narcotics Vault, the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory, and Trace Evidence. The Laboratory oversees and facilitates the following programs: Crime Scene Reconstruction, Safety, and Quality Assurance.

The Crime Laboratory Program Coordinator assists the Captain/Program Manager in the administration, management, and oversight of forensic laboratory operations.  This position provides leadership, strategic planning, and operational support to ensure the delivery of high-quality forensic services in compliance with applicable accreditation standards, legal requirements, and best practices.  The Program Coordinator also plays a key role in personnel management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This individual will represent the laboratory at high-level management, department, and citywide meetings, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, investigators, attorneys, and regulatory bodies. They will also participate in budget development, resource allocation, and procurement planning.

The position requires a strong commitment to public service, a strong focus on problem-solving, and the ability to function independently; requiring independent judgment and decision-making to manage multiple changing priorities. The Program Coordinator must be sensitive and aware of the special needs and confidentiality issues involved with this position.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Review, modify, develop, and implement department/divisional rules and policies.
• Participate in the development and administration of the Crime Laboratory’s annual budget.
• Provide administrative oversight of laboratory-wide projects.
• Review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Ensure quality assurance and accreditation requirements are current and being met.
• Supervise and review the work of assigned staff.
• Oversee the Crime Scene Reconstruction, Safety, and Quality Assurance Programs.
• Manage employee discipline within the Crime Laboratory. 
• Oversee staff development, training, and performance management. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in forensic science, criminalistics, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field, and
• Five (5) years of professional forensic science work experience, and
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience in a laboratory environment.

• The city may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Management experience in a forensic laboratory.
• A graduate degree in any of the aforementioned scientific disciplines.
• Experience writing successful grant applications resulting in awarded funding.
• Experience with ANAB or other forensic laboratory accreditation bodies.
• Experience managing contracts.

• Demonstrated success in innovation, technology implementation, and process improvement.

The Department: 

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) is dedicated to serving and protecting the City’s residents with professionalism, dependability, and integrity. For 135 years, SDPD has upheld the law, preserved peace, and ensured safety through extensively trained officers who respond swiftly to emergencies, investigate crimes, and engage with the community. The department offers a comprehensive range of services, including neighborhood patrols, traffic enforcement, investigations, records management, permits and licensing, laboratory services, and more. Community-based policing and problem-solving partnerships with residents, government agencies, private groups, and individuals are central to its mission. The departm