Crime Scene Technician/Property Room Custodian I

Duties:

Crime Scene duties, responsibilities and requirements:

• Conducts proper and updated standards of crime scene processing which includes recording, photographing, sketching, searching for trace evidence, latent print lifting, and collection of evidence.
• Expected to respond to calls for crime scene services as quickly as good judgment and safety allows at any hour of the day or night and under any weather conditions. All issued equipment and supplies must be maintained in a ready-to-use condition at all times.
• Oversees and reconstructs complex crime scene investigations, including but not limited to homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies and property crimes such as burglaries.
• Works side by side with detectives and other crime scene technicians as a team.
• Processes evidence in the crime lab and maintains lab equipment and supplies in a state of readiness.
• Fingerprints members of the public, when required, for various licenses or permits.
• Acts as Departmental Photographer.
• May be required to give testimony in court or attend depositions.
• Work a flexible schedule, which will include evenings, weekends, holidays, being on-call and overtime.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Property Room Custodian duties, responsibilities and requirements:

• Accepts, records and maintains a record system of all physical evidence and lost/found property taken into custody by the Police Department.
• Preserve the chain of evidence upon receipt of such items into the department until released by the Officer or Investigator, the State Prosecutor or the Courts or dispose of per our General Order.
• Maintain confidentiality as it relates to the position.
• Drive to various locations and work sites county-wide to pick up property and evidence.
• Research cases in the computer to determine their status in the judicial system, as it relates to evidence and property.
• Inventory property and evidence as it is initially placed into the property room and when it is signed out for court.
• Timely submission of evidence for lab analysis such as drugs, DNA evidence, fingerprint evaluations and other items and/or evidence to the Miami-Dade Crime Lab for investigative purposes.
• Dispose of or purge evidence or property no longer needed by the courts through actual destruction, melting, burning or auctioning of items.
• Testify in court, as requested, regarding the chain of custody from receipt until admitted into court.
• Have personal contact with the public and independently answer questions and resolve concerns regarding property and evidence.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with State Officials, City employees and the General Public.
• Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksite.
• Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position.
• Work a flexible schedule, which will include evenings, weekends, holidays, being on-call and overtime.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform other job functions as assigned to include working in the Crime Scene unit and assuming the duties and responsibilities of that position when the necessity arises.

Requirements:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

• A two-year degree or 60 college credits preferred.
• 1 year on the job experience in working major crime scenes is required.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to successfully complete an Aventura Police Department background investigation, which includes a physical exam, drug screen and polygraph exam, is required prior to hire. Ability to obtain and maintain required professional certifications is a condition of continued employment. Applicants must be 19 years of age at time of appointment. Valid Florida State driver’s license is required at time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to:

• Competently read and write the English language

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of and the ability to use digital SLR cameras and video, photographic lighting, exposure and proper lens, and camera selection as necessary for properly recording a scene.
• Basic warehouse and/or inventory control principles/practices
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Standard safety procedures.
• Operate office equipment and computers and work-related software associated with the position.
• Work a flexible schedule, which will include on-call, evenings, weekends, overtime and holidays.
• Physically perform the essential functions of the classification.
• Effectively coordinate, perform, and complete multiple duties and assignments concurrently and in a timely manner.

Skill in:

• Scheduling work projects to ensure timely completion.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

• The position reports to, and works under, the supervision of the Crime Scene/Property Supervisor or a Detective Bureau Sergeant. Work is performed independently under general supervision from an immediate supervisor. Work is reviewed for accuracy, productivity and compliance with established procedures. This position does not supervise others.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

• None

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. Crime Scene Technician/Property Room Custodian I retrieve evidence from crime scenes in the field and from secured lockers at the station. Crime Scene Technician/Property Room Custodian I work in enclosed, windowless rooms; outdoors in all types of weather; and travel to remote sites, city and sometimes county-wide. Property Room Custodians may be exposed to bio-hazardous materials, noxious odors and chemical agents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. The classification of Crime Scene Technician/Property Room Custodian I has physical requirements of varying degrees based on numerous differing work circumstances. Required physical activities include walking, standing, sitting, balancing, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, lifting, dragging, throwing, digital dexterity, twisting the body, talking, hearing and seeing. The job requires an incumbent to move and lift heavy or bulky items and/or equipment and be able to lift up to 30 pounds unassisted. Employees must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle. Work schedules will include on-call, shift work, evenings, holidays, overtime and weekends.

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