Property/Evidence Technician

Duties

• Receives property and evidence, documents the receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence room
• Prepares evidence for submittal to outside agencies or labs for analysis, including packaging, securing, and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms, and submitting forms with evidence to labs
• Prepares and transports evidence, including weapons, narcotics, and biological specimens, for analysis and processing by others, ensuring chain of custody and proper documentation
• Provides specialized safe handling and secure storage for high-risk and or dangerous items such as firearms, narcotics, and hazardous, flammable, and perishable materials; ensures environmental conditions are maintained for evidence preservation
• Researches, releases, and purges property and evidence following appropriate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings
• Initiates organizes, updates, maintains, and controls access to complex filing systems and records, including highly sensitive case files
• Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions
• Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pick-up; completes the necessary reports and documentation of the release
• Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding appropriately to complaints, and requests for information
• Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the preparation of periodic and special reports and the completion of forms
• Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, specialized documents, and other correspondence
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Performs other duties as assigned

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

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Two (2) years of experience in a clerical or paraprofessional position in a law enforcement agency, preferably related to the property and evidence function

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Driver's License or other means that would allow for the ability to commute to meetings, conduct site visits, and attend other special events throughout the county may be required at the time of hire
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies
• Police terminology and law enforcement codes
• Best practices for the packaging and storage of property and evidence, including firearms and other high-risk items
• Operational characteristics of bar codes and other automated software used in property records and inventory
• Mandated requirements for all processes and procedures designed to maintain a consistent and secure chain of custody for evidence
• Special environmental conditions are required for the safe preservation of high-risk items
• Categories of evidence for proper storage
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility
• Techniques for records management and evidence processing, including records disbursement and chain of evidence procedures
• Methods used in the collection, tabulation, review, analysis, and distribution of evidence and property, forms, reports, and documents
• Business arithmetic
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

ABILITY TO

• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible tasks in support of a comprehensive property and evidence program
• Properly count, categorize and store a diverse range of property and evidence within appropriate environmental conditions, with continuous documentation for chain of custody
• Provide information to others on property practices and procedures as needed
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Organize and maintain a high volume of complex property and evidence records.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations
• Prepare clear correspondence, and other written materials
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office and storeroom setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer;
• Vision to read written materials, a computer screen, and examine evidence;
• Color vision to distinguish between evidence and property characteristics;
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone and/or radio.
• This classification requires that incumbents sit, stand and walk between work areas.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers and storage containers open and closed to retrieve and file information, or property and evidence.
• Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous substances. Employees handle property and evidence which may contain hazardous substances and must observe all safety protocols when doing so. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

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