Property/Evidence Technician

Duties

Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: (These functions may not be present in all positions in this classification. When a position is filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments as needed.)

• Receive, package, preserve, log and store inventory and release property and evidence, to include narcotics, firearms, currency, ammunition, explosives, etc., in accordance with state laws and City ordinances;
• responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the integrity and proper chain of custody of all evidence and property;
• locate property owners by searching relevant computer systems and identifying items using serial numbers and/or other descriptive features;
• prepare property and evidence, to include narcotics, firearms, currency, and ammunition, for destruction and/or disposal upon authorization of the courts or other authorized parties;
• process and prepare property for auction; release and transport property and evidence for court, lab analysis or investigative purposes;
• review criminal history checks to determine appropriate release of firearms;
• release currency, to owners, to the City's general fund and/or financial institutions;
• acquire and review disposition of criminal cases and make recommendations on disposition of impounded property and evidence;
• prepare letters of authorization for disposition of property;
• label and barcode property/evidence and enter information into computerized system for inventory control;
• manage and secure the property storage room and maintain complete files on all inventoried property; responds to citizen inquiries and complaints regarding property dispositions in person and via telephone and assist in requests for public records;
• answer questions on specific types of property and train new recruits on the property and evidence procedures; prepare and review reports of tasks performed, examinations conducted and documentation assembled;
• assist in discovery process and testify in court regarding the integrity of property storage and the preservation of evidence; purchase, catalogue and warehouse all materials, equipment and supplies;
• coordinate maintenance of all files and records;
• ensure proper inventory, logging and disposition procedures are followed in accordance to established guidelines;
• perform various routine clerical duties to maintain property and evidence.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.
• Maintain regular attendance.

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

Requirements

Qualification Guidelines
To quality for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities, and enable the individual to successfully perform the essential job functions of the position. A typical combination is:

Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One-year experience maintaining property and/or evidence in a law enforcement environment.
• Associates degree or college certificate in evidence and property control, or related field and three years maintaining property and/or evidence in a law enforcement environment is desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement methods, practices, and procedures; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations in assigned area of responsibility;
• principles and practices of criminal justice inventory management;
• criminal rules of evidence pertaining to property;
• firearms handling and safety procedures;
• practices and procedures of establishing inventories and warehousing;
• principles of record keeping with regard to inventory, property and evidence;
• California criminal justice and court systems, procedures and protocols.

Ability to:

• Work as a team member with other law enforcement personnel;
• follow and effectively communicate verbal and written instructions;
• establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public;
• operate a personal computer utilizing a variety of technical and imaging software, data management software, and retrieval systems;
• organize a large inventory and place inventory items in both ascending and descending numerical and/or alpha order;
• analyze processes, information, and data;
• maintain confidentiality;
• communicate effectively both verbal and written;
• communicate technical information to a non-technical audience;
• and understand City policies and procedures.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid Class "C" California Driver's License.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds is required.
• Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking; reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily office activities.
• The position also requires the ability to get from one location to another in the course of doing business; grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in retrieving and entering data using a computer keyboard.
• Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading work related documents and using the computer, and the ability to distinguish colors and acute hearing when providing phone and personal service;
• drive motorized vehicles;
• and operate a variety of law enforcement equipment.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a standard office setting and in a storage area.
• Employee may travel to different locations and may be exposed to inclement weather conditions, noise, vibration, dust, or potentially hazardous chemicals.

Note

• The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• When appropriate, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirement as a condition of employment.

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