Evidence Specialist

Duties

The King County Sheriff's Office Evidence Specialists are responsible for handling Public Safety evidence and property transactions and dispositions. Job duties include the proper disposal and storage of evidence and personal property while adhering to all legal requirements. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintenance of all related data.
• Enter, modify, track and/or retrieve information and data using spreadsheets and/or customized database applications;
• Coordinate all transactions; receive, release, and transport evidence/property to department facilities, personnel, courts, laboratories, owners and outside agencies in accordance with established policies and legal requirements;
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive records and reports on the collection, preservation, location and disposition of evidence as required by law and to support ongoing and annual audits;
• Secure and control valuable property, firearms and other weapons, ammunition and narcotics for evidence/property or issue;
• Handle and process bio-hazardous and hazardous materials and other potential allergens using personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Maintain, enter, modify, track and/or retrieve information and data using spreadsheets and/or customized database applications;
• Process and/or destroy evidence and documents in accordance with established policies and procedures;
• Lift and move heavy and bulky items, use ladders and hydraulic lifting equipment to stock and retrieve items from shelves, and perform warehousing duties on a regular basis;
• Operate light and heavy equipment such as trucks, forklifts, and dollies to transport items and supplies as needed;
• Provide training to various individuals and law enforcement personnel on proper handling and packaging of evidence/property and on bio-hazard requirements;
• Testify in court on the integrity and chain of custody of evidence presented in criminal proceedings;
• Assist with inventory, ordering, processing and distributing departmental supplies;
• Assist in distributing uniforms to Sheriff's Office members per regulations and maintain proper records.

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

Requirements

Candidates must have at least three years of experience as an administrative assistant, store clerk, or warehouse inventory/supply clerk position. A combination of experience and/or education may be considered.

Additional requirements for the position include:

• Knowledge of office methods and procedures, including filing systems, sorting and routing mail, shipping and receiving packages.
• Sufficient writing skills to transcribe, compose, edit and maintain a variety of documents, reports and correspondences using correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation, with the ability to pay close attention to detail and proofread work carefully. All handwriting must be clear and legible.
• Provide information, resolve conflicts or defuse/calm situations when responding to individuals of varied ethnic and social-economic backgrounds.
• Skill in the operation of current Windows based computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and other in-house databases; skill in learning new operating systems and staying current on all new technologies introduced.
• Skill in working under established deadlines and time frames, as well as being proactive and a self starter

The ability to:

• Perform your work independently or in a team setting.
• Maintain confidentiality with sensitive matters, policies, and information.
• Operate and use standard office equipment that may include; personal computer, mainframe terminal, copier, fax machines and multi-line telephone.
• Provide customer service using diplomacy, interpersonal and listening skills, impart professional customer service with discretion, patience and professionalism, in-person and over the phone to both internal and external customers.
• Read, interpret, and apply general procedures to specific work applications.
• Type minimum of 35 words per minute
• Provide customer service using diplomacy, interpersonal and listening skills; to provide information, resolve conflicts or defuse/calm situations when responding to individuals of varied ethnic and social-economic backgrounds.
• Drive a variety of transportation vehicles, including comfortability and familiarity with large box trucks (20ft box span) and forklifts is preferred (on-site job training provided).
• Lift up to 50 pounds without accommodation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience driving forklifts and large transportation vehicles.
• Experience in in warehouse and inventory control.
• Experience in law enforcement or public safety organization.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work around and handle potential allergens, narcotics, bodily fluids, and bio-hazardous and hazardous materials with proper training and personal protective equipment
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects weighing up to 50 lbs. routinely without accommodation
• Must be willing and able to work mechanical lifting devices up to 22 feet off the ground(position stores and retrieves evidence stored on shelving platforms)
• Willing to learn and operate forklifts and other equipment including various transportation vehicles (Incumbent must successfully pass the Forklift Operator certification after on the job training)
• Must safeguard confidential information in accordance with policy and procedures
• Must be willing to work additional hours as necessary that may include call-outs to a crime scene, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays that may be short notice.
• Additional hours or shift work may be necessary to respond to workload needs, including call-outs to crime scenes or other locations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates who successfully meet the selection criteria and testing will be required to complete a comprehensive background investigation, including a polygraph examination.
• A valid Washington State Driver's license at time of hire and a good driving record.
• Must be able to pass and receive forklift operator certification (after training)
• Must also pass a pre-employment physical exam.

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