Property and Evidence Technician (Newly Created Position)

Town of Los Gatos•Los Gatos, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Property and Evidence Technician manages the day-to-day operation of police property and evidence, including intake, classification, secure storage, chain-of-custody tracking, release, and lawful disposition. The position handles a wide range of items, including biological materials, narcotics, firearms, currency, bicycles, and impounded vehicles, while maintaining their security, integrity, and accountability. The Technician supports investigations and legal proceedings by coordinating with Police Department personnel, prosecutors, courts, laboratories, other agencies, property owners, and the public. The role also maintains confidential records and storage facilities, conducts inventories and audits, provides guidance to department personnel on evidence procedures, and may testify in court. Assigned administrative duties may include support for concealed carry weapon permit background investigations and secondhand dealer license processing. The employee may also be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker. The position works primarily indoors in an office and secured property/evidence storage environment, with occasional work in outdoor storage areas and travel to courts, laboratories, or other locations. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday, with daily hours determined in coordination with the selected candidate and department needs. A hybrid schedule is not available. After successful completion of training, the employee may be eligible for an alternate work schedule. Varied hours, including early mornings and evenings, may be required. This is a TEA, FLSA non-exempt position. The stated annual salary range is $84,939.72–$109,607.16, plus benefits. The position requires a background investigation and other pre-employment requirements applicable to Police Department personnel.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED, plus two years of experience in property and evidence, records management, inventory control, or closely related duties, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and independently perform day-to-day property and evidence work within established policies and procedures.
Knowledge of property and evidence intake, documentation, packaging, handling, storage, security, inventory, release, and disposition practices and chain-of-custody requirements.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing property and evidence.
Knowledge of safety practices for handling and storing firearms, controlled substances, hazardous materials, biological materials, and other potentially dangerous or contaminated evidence.
Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and processes, inventory control, records management, basic auditing, office practices, and relevant computer and software applications.
Ability to research and evaluate records and case information to determine appropriate disposition of property and evidence.
Ability to maintain accurate electronic and physical records, reconcile inventory discrepancies, and handle confidential information discreetly.
Ability to recognize safety hazards and use appropriate precautions and personal protective equipment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative, resolve routine operational issues, and refer unusual matters appropriately.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, prosecutors, courts, laboratories, other agencies, property owners, and the public, including people who may be upset or difficult.
Ability to use computer systems and software accurately and efficiently, manage competing priorities, and maintain accuracy during high-volume or time-sensitive periods.
Effective in-person, telephone, and written communication skills, including the ability to testify accurately and professionally in court.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including operating a motor vehicle, accessing storage areas, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Must pass an extensive background investigation, which may include criminal history, credit check, drug screening, medical clearance, psychological evaluation, polygraph, fingerprinting, professional reference check, and other security vetting; must maintain required clearances.
Must meet applicable Police Department pre-employment requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a law enforcement environment is preferred.
Certification or specialized training in property and evidence management is desirable.
Experience in government administration and financial processes, preferably in law enforcement or public safety.
Working knowledge of public-sector financial and procurement processes, including invoice processing, budget monitoring, purchasing and purchase orders, agreement and contract administration, and grant coordination and management.

Responsibilities

Receive, inspect, record, categorize, label, and store evidence, found property, and property held for safekeeping; verify documentation and packaging and resolve discrepancies.
Maintain accurate electronic and physical chain-of-custody and property records, safeguarding the integrity, security, location, and accountability of items.
Determine storage requirements and securely store firearms, controlled substances, money, biological materials, chemicals, hazardous or potentially contaminated materials, and other evidence and property.
Retrieve, release, and transfer property and evidence to authorized personnel, owners, courts, laboratories, and other agencies; prepare required documentation and record each transfer.
Review case status and records, research ownership and legal requirements, determine eligibility for release or disposition, and obtain required authorization.
Coordinate and carry out the return, destruction, disposal, auction, or other authorized disposition of property and evidence in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Conduct periodic inventories, audits, and inspections; research and reconcile discrepancies and maintain inventory and disposition records.
Coordinate with officers, investigators, prosecutors, courts, laboratories, other law enforcement agencies, and members of the public about evidence handling, discovery-related requests, release, transfer, and disposition.
Prepare and maintain reports, correspondence, logs, charts, forms, and other operational records; protect confidential and sensitive information.
Maintain the organization, cleanliness, security, and readiness of property and evidence facilities, including inventories of handling and storage supplies.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and safety requirements; identify compliance or interpretation issues and refer unusual or sensitive matters to supervisory personnel as appropriate.
Provide Police Department personnel with instruction and guidance on evidence packaging, submission, documentation, and handling procedures.
Testify in court regarding the receipt, custody, storage, handling, transfer, and disposition of property and evidence and related records.
Perform assigned administrative support, which may include concealed carry weapon permit background investigation activities and coordination of secondhand dealer license processing.
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker and perform other related duties as assigned.