Property and Evidence Technician I (Temporary/Hourly)

City of Watsonville•Watsonville, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, operates in the Police Department's property and evidence bureau to receive, record, store, safeguard, load, transport, verify, release and disburse evidence and found or abandoned property; maintain separate property areas; and perform work as required. Employees in this classification receive close supervision within a framework of well-defined policies and procedures. This job class performs the more routine tasks and duties while learning the more complex functions. This job class requires accuracy and attention to detail and functions at an entry level of classification. This is a non-peace officer class with responsibility for evidence and property stored in the Police Department as well as in off-site locations. Property and Evidence Technicians handle a broad range of confidential and sensitive records, maintains the integrity and security of criminal evidence, including the handling of hazardous and bio-hazardous substances in a variety of containers and packaging, including but not limited to, contaminated blood, urine, saliva, and semen, as well as a broad range of narcotics, firearms, and other weapons.

Requirements

Knowledge of Federal and State laws and court decisions pertaining to the recovery of property and evidence and preservation of the evidence chain techniques, practices and procedures of receiving, inventorying, safeguarding, storing, and handling of property
Knowledge of principles and practices of basic record keeping and filing systems
Knowledge of basic knowledge of the rules of evidence and laws pertaining to the maintenance, release and destruction of evidence
Knowledge of local government operations and procedure related to law enforcement
Knowledge of legal terminology and legal process
Knowledge of rules of evidence and basic criminal law process and procedures for requesting court orders
Knowledge of practice and procedures for the handling and disposing of hazardous materials and fire arms
Ability to work quickly and accurately on multiple tasks
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions
Ability to maintain confidentiality about information accessed in work activities
Ability to maintain accurate records and files
Ability to properly handle large sums of money, hazardous materials, firearms, biohazards and unusual items
Ability to use common office software and applicable specialized law enforcement software
Ability to maintain a current knowledge of evidence and property storage and release procedures
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of the required duties
Ability to learn and follow all City and departmental rules and regulations
High school graduation or tested equivalent
One-year of experience as a Police Officer, Municipal Court Clerk, Police Records Clerk, and related property/evidence room experience
Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak English and Spanish

Responsibilities

Receive, load, transport, verify, code, store, and safeguard various items of evidence and property
Keep accurate records of stored property and evidence to assure security and retrieval capability for court and audit purposes
Maintain confidential files and records regarding property in custody and its disposition
Release property to be used as evidence in court or returned to owners
Forward and hand deliver evidence to various laboratories or experts for appropriate analysis
Maintain chain of custody records and testify in court if necessary
Coordinate and prepare usable unclaimed property for auction as pursuant to State Penal Code provisions
Purge property pursuant to prescribed methods on a regular basis
Keep records current on the location and movement of property within the department, in court, or to other locations as necessary
Confer with sworn personnel, City Attorney’s office, investigators, District Attorney’s office, court and other law enforcement agencies on matters concerning property
Store, package, catalog, and destroy narcotics pursuant to prescribed methods
Destroy illegal and nuisance weapons
Transport evidence for disposal or destruction
Work at a computer for extended periods of time to input and access data
Operate standard office equipment
Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with fellow employees, sworn personnel, representatives from other Law Enforcement Agencies, and the general public
Other related duties as assigned