City and County of San Francisco

Positions in this class are assigned to the Forensic Laboratory Division of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where sudden, unexpected or violent deaths as well as human performance toxicology cases are examined. Under supervision of the Forensic Toxicologist Supervisor and the direction of the Chief Forensic Toxicologist/Forensic Laboratory Director, the Forensic Laboratory Analyst is a forensically-trained scientist that receives, accessions, stores and disposes of biological and physical evidence; performs volatile, drug and poison screens in biological specimens; performs chemical extractions of drugs and poisons from body tissues and fluids for confirmatory analyses; prepares biological tissues and organs for diagnostic examinations by Medical Division staff; prepares chemical reagents, cleans scientific glassware and maintains the laboratory premises; assists in the forensic toxicological analyses; records findings; and performs related duties as required. Nature of work involves continuous exposure to health hazards and disagreeable elements.

Incumbents perform a variety of work in the Forensic Laboratory Division. In addition to the more routine laboratory work, such as cleaning and preparing scientific glassware, computers, and analytical equipment and instrumentation, incumbents extract and analyze blood, urine and body tissues to determine the presence and quantity of drugs and poisons. This class is distinguished from class 2402 Laboratory Technician I in that incumbents work in a forensic setting and perform laboratory duties involving medico-legal cases.

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According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Receives and logs in all physical and biological evidence and specimens from the morgue and from law enforcement representatives and verifies labeling; ensures correct storage and disposal of all evidence and specimens. 
2. Cleans and arranges glassware; sterilizes laboratory and computer equipment; prepares reagents; and cleans and maintains premises of the Forensic Laboratory division. 
3. Performs drug screens on various biological specimens, extracts drugs and poisons from blood, urine and body tissues; uses immunoassays, chromatographic, spectrophotometric and other analytical techniques to determine the presence and/or quantity of drugs. 
4. Accurately records findings and data on worksheets; and may assist in the interpretation of data and the preparation of case reports. 
5. Testifies in court proceedings. 
6. Prepares forensic microscopic slides and makes routine and special stains as required, including the preparation of necessary reagents and solutions. 
7. Assists in labeling and sending specimens for outside medicolegal tests and assists in reporting possible infections to the appropriate agencies. 
8. Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: basic principles and practices of forensic toxicology, pharmacology, chemistry or forensic science; applicable legal terms, court procedures, and the laws of evidence; analytical instrumentation and equipment, as well as computer software and hardware needed to perform difficult and complex laboratory-based examinations; special care and handling of laboratory glassware; methods and procedures used in thorough cleaning and sterilizing of laboratory equipment; procedures for working with and minimizing job-related chemical and biological hazards, including procedures for safe handling of chemical and biological laboratory waste; principles of statistical analysis relative to laboratory practice and process.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Special Requirements:
• Nature of duties may require sustained physical effort involving manual skill, dexterity, hand/eye coordination, and the ability to lift and carry laboratory equipment and supplies up to 50 lbs.
• Requires close mental attention and concentration for long periods when conducting various tests and the technical skill and ability to make accurate observations and determinations and prepare related reports of findings.
• Work environment may entail exposure to biohazards and potentially toxic chemicals, specimens from infectious and decomposed cases and/or persons who have died of drug or chemical poisoning; unpleasant odors or conditions; and exposure to disagreeable elements or situations inherent in this specialized field.
• This work requires compliance with department policies pertaining to blood borne pathogen exposure prevention, biohazard exposure prevention, toxic chemical exposure prevention, evidence handling and security requirements on evidence, standards and information.

PROMOTIVE LINES

ORIGINATION DATE: 10/19/1987
AMENDED DATE: 08/20/15; 07/31/19; 06/21/21
REASON FOR AMENDMENT: To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

BUSINESS UNIT(S): COMMN

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City 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.