Property and Evidence Technician

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office•Pinellas County, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Property and Evidence Technician to join our Support Services team. In this critical role, you will receive, document, preserve and safeguard criminal evidence and impounded, lost, or abandoned property submitted by law enforcement personnel and other authorized entities. You will protect evidentiary integrity by preventing contamination, degradation, or theft, maintain accurate chain-of custody and inventory records and handle, store, transport, and dispose of hazardous materials – including blood, narcotics, chemicals, biohazards, and radioactive materials – in accordance with OSHA regulations, Florida Statutes, and agency protocols. This position offers the opportunity to play a vital role in supporting criminal investigations and the judicial process by ensuring the secure handling, preservation, and lawful disposition of evidence and property. If you are detail-oriented, thrive in a position of trust and accountability, and are committed to public service, we encourage you to apply. Under the general direction of the Property and Evidence Supervisor, this position is responsible for the intake, documentation, preservation, security, and lawful disposition of a wide range of property and evidence. This includes routine interaction with potential contamination hazards, as well as high-value or sensitive items such as firearms, narcotics, currency, digital media, and bulky or oversized items. Member must preserve and safeguard all items from contamination, degradation, or theft to ensure proper chain of custody and compliance with Florida Statutes, agency policies, and accreditation standards. The position also involves frequent interaction with law enforcement, legal professionals, and the public, and may require emergency response, shift work, and on-call availability. Work is reviewed through observation and results obtained. A member in this job classification spends at least 65 percent of their time performing duties that involve the collection, examination, preservation, documentation, preparation or analysis of human tissues or fluids or physical evidence having potential biological, chemical or radiological hazard or contamination, or uses chemicals, processes, or materials that may have carcinogenic or health-damaging properties in the analysis of such evidence, or be the direct supervisor of one or more individuals having such responsibility, in accordance with F.S. 121.0515. Requires scheduled on-call availability.

Requirements

Three (3) years’ responsible experience in records management, inventory control, warehousing, or related field
High School graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or licensed as a degree granting institution by the Commission for Independent Education
Possess a valid Florida driver’s license
Credit check required
Knowledge of Florida Statutes, various databases and research software, and agency policies related to evidence handling and property disposition
Ability to interpret legal documents, court orders, and statutory requirements
High level of integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to safely operate a vehicle, warehouse equipment, and other mobile machinery
Ability to work in environments with strong odors, hazardous materials, and varying temperatures to include extreme heat and cold
Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate has three (3) years’ experience in records management, inventory control, warehousing, or a related field.
They possess a strong working knowledge of evidence management practices, Florida Statutes, and computerized inventory systems.
They demonstrate exceptional integrity, maintain strict confidentiality, and have outstanding attention to detail.
The successful candidate can effectively prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently in a fast-paced environment, interpret legal documents, and court orders, and communicate professionally with law enforcement personnel, legal professionals, and members of the public.

Responsibilities

Receives, preserves, documents and records property/evidence from Sheriff’s Office personnel and other authorized personnel
Safeguards the potential evidentiary qualities (i.e. drying, refrigerating), maintains the chain of custody and disposes of a wide variety of property items having potential biological, chemical or contamination hazard and carcinogenic or health damaging properties
Maintains detailed inventory
Prepares drug/weapon destruction requests, researches cases, contacts case agents, other police agencies, and submits requests to the State Attorney’s Office for disposition
Maintains all inventory records through the use of a computer and other files
Records, tags or engraves all property
Performs periodic physical inventory of property and submits inventory reports
Inventories, controls, provides security for, and supervises the storage and release of valuable properties designated for the vault
Utilizes the computer to enter required information for record keeping, correspondence, reports and inquiry
Accesses property and evidence for various law enforcement agencies and the public by utilizing large mobile machinery (i.e. forklift)
Collects property and evidence from various pick-up locations throughout Pinellas County utilizing an agency vehicle
Gathers and maintains strict control over items to be auctioned and money to be turned in to Fiscal Affairs
Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed