Evidence/Property Control Specialist

Island County•Coupeville Campus, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Evidence/Property Control Specialist provides critically responsible technical/administrative support work to the Sheriff's Office, which includes the Evidence/Property Room, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Off-Site Location and in the field. Public contact is required for explanation of policies/procedures and the interpretation of guidelines/law are basic elements of this class. Incumbents must be willing to work various shifts and work at any of the assigned Sheriff's Office locations. Work is performed independently after reaching the full performance level. Work is reviewed periodically for accuracy and adherence to established policies and procedures and service provided.

Requirements

Three years experience with emphasis on law enforcement, property handling, general inventory, accounting/records management or related areas or any equivalent combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.
Administrative/clerical experience involving heavy public contact and the ability to type proficiently and accurately are required.
WINDOWS-based data entry/word processing experience is required, preferably in a law enforcement environment.
Must be able to fulfill all traveling requirements of this position and meet the qualifications and guidelines of the operation of a motor vehicle on County business, including possessing and maintaining a valid Washington State Driver's License and the appropriate amount of automobile insurance.
Must possess written certification of completion of Firearms Safety Instruction or pass locally acceptable Firearms Safety Instruction course within 30 days of employment.
In accordance with RCW 41.14.100, applicants must be a citizen of the United States, or a permanent legal resident who can read and write the English language.
Must be able to successfully complete a multi-phase testing process.
A criminal background check through law enforcement agencies and lie detection exam will be conducted on all successful applicants prior to their being appointed to this position.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Island County does not provide visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working for a law enforcement agency is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Maintain physical security/control/disposition of all evidence/property to include high value items such as vehicles, controlled substances, currencies and firearms.
Respond to evidence/property inquiries of the general public and official authorities in person and telephonically to include identification, location and dissemination of such items.
Maintain continuous chain of custody of evidence/property including appropriate signatory requirements.
Provide services for evidentiary matters to the department, prosecuting attorneys, and courts system.
Document and execute, in conjunction with designated witnesses/supervisors, the physical destruction of controlled substances and firearms in conjunction with designated witnesses/supervisors.
In accordance with policies and procedures, destroy other evidentiary/property items in accordance with policies/procedures.
Prepare and transmit controlled substances to State Crime Laboratory for forensic analysis as requested by supervisors and prosecutors to include preparation of formatted forensic requests.
Receive controlled substances after State forensic analysis completion, and process resultant reports, informing appropriate authorities of final analysis results.
Testify in Superior/District Courts regarding specific chain of evidence matters in criminal trials/hearings.
Document, prepare and auction materials that are legal and have value which are forfeited by courts, unclaimed by owners, or ownership is undetermined through commercial agents.
Manage bio-medical hazardous waste materials storage, accessibility, and ultimate destruction through established Federal/State Laws and local government and departmental policies and procedures.
Physically transfer evidentiary items to Prosecuting Attorney, departmental officials and courts systems for criminal trials, including ensuring appropriate signatory requirements for chain of custody.
Assist with evidence collection/transport off-site when directed in an on-call environment (i.e. in conjunction with a search warrant and/or major case).
Manage and execute dual entry record-keeping system (computer data entry, tracking, analysis) and accompanying hard card signatory chain of custody, which includes on-hand inventory, disposition history and inter-agency transfers.
Instruct departmental personnel on policies and procedures for packaging, documenting and submitting evidence/property materials for storage and integrity.
Provide departmental personnel with appropriate packaging supplies.
Maintain physical security control of departmental vehicle impound lot to include storage, release and satisfaction of commercial tow billing responsibilities.
Enter/retrieve information from NCIC/WACIC computer databases relating to person, vehicle and firearm information.
Code information prior to entry in departmental databases.
Execute oral and written communications with courts, prosecutors, businesses, educational facilities, government entities, and private citizens regarding issues relating to evidence/property.
Maintain various reports, logs, registers and files.
Establish and maintain cooperative, effective, and productive working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy.
Effectively plan and organize work and complete tasks within prescribed timeframes.
Perform other related duties as required.