Property/Evidence Technician

Duties

Essential Job Functions

• Receives, records, examines, codes, prepares, and stores various types of personal property recovered, found or turned in as evidence.
• Keeps accurate records of stored property and evidence to assure security and retrieval capability for court purposes and for audit.
• Arranges for storage of large items and organizes the orderly layout of the property storage rooms.
• Maintains confidential files and records regarding property in custody and its disposition; releases property to be used in evidence or to be returned to owners.
• Interacts and communicates with the public via telephone, email and in person to facilitate the return of property.
• Forwards or hand delivers evidence to various laboratories or experts for appropriate analysis.
• Maintains chain of custody records of evidential property and testifies in court.
• Coordinates and prepares usable unclaimed property for auction as pursuant to State Penal Code provisions.
• Purges property pursuant to prescribed methods on a regular basis.
• Keeps current records on the location and movement of property within the department, in court or to other locations as necessary.
• Confers with sworn personnel, City Attorney's office, investigators, District Attorney's office, court and other law enforcement agencies on matters concerning property.
• Stores, packages, catalogs and destroys narcotics pursuant to prescribed methods.
• Destroys illegal and nuisance weapons.
• Transports illicit materials, firearms, chemicals and valueless items for disposal or destruction.
• Following chain of custody, retrieves, returns or transports property, equipment and supplies.
• Types, enters and verifies the variety of property and evidence data on a computer; prepares related reports.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of:

• Basic recordkeeping and filing systems
• Basic techniques for effectively maintaining a warehouse environment
• Basic techniques and practices of chain of custody rules used in law enforcement property and evidence processing, storage, and disposition is desirable
• Principles and practices of work safety
• Safety practices related to lifting and handling of evidence and property
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Maintain exact records and organize accurate recordkeeping systems.
• Interpret and understand Penal and Health & Safety codes.
• Store evidential property without loss or damage.
• Learn and apply laws and regulations governing preservation of evidence.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Type and enter data on a computer.
• Process numerical and alphabetical data with high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality about information accessed in work activities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Education:

• High School Diploma/GED

Experience:

• One year of experience in storage, materials management, warehousing, or related experience.

Supplemental Information

• Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position;
• Manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computers, business machines and related equipment;
• Vision sufficient to read fine printed materials, visual display terminals, detect subtle shades of color;
• Hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations;
• Speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups;
• Physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead;
• Physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment and climb ladders and stairs, physical strength to lift up to 50 lbs.;
• Physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time;
• Mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.

Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or standing at a counter for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Physical mobility sufficient to lift boxes, climb ladders and stairs to retrieve various types of evidence. Ability to drive an automobile. May occasionally work off hour shifts, weekends and holidays

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Veteran’s Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City’s Veteran’s Preference Application (Download PDF reader) and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process: Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION. Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

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