Program Coordinator

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Job Req ID: 901 

Division: Crime Lab Command 

Salary Range: $189,500.00 to $189,500.00 

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Police 

Personnel Area: Police 

Closing Date: 08/13/2026 

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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.  This position plays a key role in personnel management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Program Coordinator will represent the laboratory at high-level management, Department, and citywide meetings, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, investigators, attorneys and regulatory bodies, and participate in budget development, resource allocation, and procurement planning.

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

The City is seeking exceptional individuals who want to make a positive impact through their work, serve their community proudly, and are excited to come to work every day. Education and experience studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every task listed in the job description. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications, and we encourage you to apply if you are interested. 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Review, modify, develop, and implement department/divisional rules and policies;
• Participate in the development and administration of the Crime Laboratory annual budget;
• Administration over lab-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;
• Handle discipline issues within the Crime Laboratory; and
• Handle staff development, training, and maintenance.

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 supervising in a laboratory environment.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Management experience in a forensic laboratory
• Graduate degree in any of the aforementioned sciences
• Grant writing with special attention given to grant writing that resulted in awards.
• Accreditation experience with ANAB or other accreditation body
• Contract management
• Demonstrated history of 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 department's proactive policing and community partnerships foster trust and collaboration, making residents feel secure and supported. For more information, please visit this link.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan". 

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.). 
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate. 
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance. 

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees  (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924. 

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information.  Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview.

 
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.