Property/Evidence Clerk

City of Idaho Falls • Idaho Falls, ID

2d • $22 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

The Property/Evidence Clerk performs technical clerical and routine administrative duties supporting the processing, storage, retention, and destruction of property and evidence obtained through law enforcement activities in Idaho Falls. The position receives, secures, inventories, documents, releases, and disposes of property and evidence, including firearms, narcotics, dangerous drugs, biohazards, and cash. It maintains transaction records and chain of custody, coordinates with investigators, officers, prosecutors, state laboratories, other agencies, property owners, and auction or disposal services, and may testify in legal proceedings.

The clerk is responsible for day-to-day evidence room security and operations, records and access controls, required notifications and retention tracking, cash handling, and related equipment and inventory. The role works in an office and evidence storage environment with climate controls and may involve exposure to infectious diseases, biohazards, hazardous materials, controlled substances, and unpleasant images or odors. Appropriate protective equipment must be used.

Requirements

• High school graduation and one year of responsible experience performing the listed or related duties, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of law enforcement and court procedures and relevant laws and regulations governing property and evidence, including chain of custody and evidence retention and disposition.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, grammar, spelling, punctuation, filing systems, personal computer operations, Windows, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, evidence management software, customer service, telephone etiquette, standard office equipment, public-record legal processes, interpersonal communication, bookkeeping, and basic accounting.
• Ability to work with or near potentially hazardous materials using appropriate safety precautions; exercise initiative, independent judgment, and resourcefulness; and deal tactfully and courteously with the public, coworkers, and representatives of other public agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision or as part of a team; maintain accuracy and attention to detail; research files to determine proper evidence disposition; maintain confidentiality; and operate standard office equipment, including telephone/fax, computer, printer, and scanner.
• Must be able to type 40 words per minute.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation and meet criminal justice information (CJIS) security requirements.
• Must obtain certification as an Evidence Technician from the International Association for Property and Evidence within two years.

Nice To Haves

• May be required to be a notary public.
• After training, certification in using NCIC/ILETS to obtain criminal histories and serial numbers for firearm-return research.

Responsibilities

• Receive, store, release, inventory, control, dispose of, and maintain the security of property and evidence; maintain records of all transactions and research ownership, release, and disposition.
• Handle firearms, narcotics, dangerous drugs, biohazards, and large sums of money.
• Coordinate with police investigators to log evidence, obtain dispositions and destruction orders, and destroy evidence according to policy and law; enter evidence into the system with proper packaging and labeling.
• Ensure property and evidence are disposed of according to policy, applicable laws, and court orders, including transporting destroyed items to an appropriate facility.
• Package and mail evidence, including drugs and biological samples, to state laboratories; receive returned items and reenter them into evidence while maintaining chain of custody.
• Instruct officers and volunteers in evidence procedures; communicate with officers about submissions.
• Photograph property for documentation and, with prosecutor approval, for return to victims.
• Transfer drugs and firearms to authorized state agents or other agencies for disposal or examination; dispose of unwanted or non-returnable property.
• Prepare unwanted or unclaimed property for transfer to a contracted auction agency; research and prepare requests for prosecutor approval to return property to citizens; respond to inquiries from law enforcement and prosecutorial offices.
• Testify in legal proceedings concerning evidence, property, and chain of custody.
• Maintain security and daily routine operations of the evidence room and account for related equipment, supplies, and inventory.
• Log subpoenas and calendar their dates and times; prepare follow-up requests to the District Attorney's Office for reports, in-car video, photographs, and interviews.
• Track retention of biological and sexual assault evidence; send required notices before destruction, including certified mail, and maintain related records under policy and state law.
• Request disposition or status from case officers for property held more than 120 days; contact owners of found and safekeeping property and process unclaimed property.
• Receive, count, and account for cash; prepare cash deposits for the City Treasurer's Office according to policy.
• Maintain property room access logs and key control records; participate in scheduled inspections, audits, and custodian-change inventories; maintain records of narcotics training aids.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life coverage
• Retirement benefits through PERSI, a defined benefit plan offering guaranteed retirement benefits for full-time employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED