Evidence Technician bei Butte County, CA

About the Department

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of responsible and complex clerical and technical tasks related to the receipt, storage, and disposal of property and evidence in the Sheriff’s Office; prepares and maintains relevant records; and performs related duties as assigned.

 SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

 CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This non-sworn journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties in support of crime scene evidence collection and preservation.   Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. 

• Receives property and evidence, documents the receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence room.
• Uses a variety of computer systems to check case dispositions, enter serialized property, inquire on stolen items, and update procedures; conducts research to determine appropriate procedures for storage of evidence and disposition of property.
• Coordinates and confers with Sheriff’s Office personnel and other County personnel on the release of items for court, attorney or investigator viewing, outside testing, or release to owner.
• Conducts evidence viewings for attorneys and law enforcement personnel as required; retrieves, prepares, and presents items for analysis; documents associated actions and returns items to storage.
• Duplicates and provides copies of photocopies and digital audiovisual evidence to the District Attorney’s Office as requested.
• Reviews and fulfills requests for items to be sent for laboratory analysis; packages items into transport containers, completes analysis request forms, and transports evidence to the California Department of Justice for analysis.
• Fingerprints unidentifiable decedents; photographs autopsies, and homicides as assigned.
• Coordinates the disposal or auction of unclaimed items or items ordered destroyed by the court; creates manifests for auction and destruction; coordinates with IT Department to perform destruction of electronic devices; coordinates with vendors to perform destruction of biohazard waste.
• Uses safety precautions and follows procedures to properly handle items such as guns, chemical samples, blood, drugs, syringes, and other material to prevent injury, avoid contamination, and ensure chain of custody.
• Prepares detailed records of evidence inventory and maintains orderly appearance of property file area; catalogs and maintains continuous property inventory record; maintains security of section and key control.
• Assists with special projects related to the maintenance and handling of property and evidence; keeps abreast of current laws, codes, regulations, and legal procedures as they pertain to property and evidence.
• Responds to inquiries in person and over the phone from the public and County staff regarding property; performs research and coordinates with other agencies and departments as needed to respond accurately.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and proper methods of receiving, storing, and inventorying property and evidence.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the handling of dangerous materials, controlled substances, and firearms.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the property evidence unit.
• Court procedures and operations related to assigned work.
• Principles, practices, procedures, and terminology used in law enforcement and corrections work.
• Principles, practices, and procedures related to evidence handling.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the identification, marking, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• Advanced fingerprint collection, classification, and comparison techniques. 
• Principles of digital video and photographic equipment usage and document processing. 
• Principles, practices, and procedures of recordkeeping and inventory.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

 Ability To:

• Independently receive, store, and maintain inventory of property and evidence.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate disposition of inventoried property.
• Organize and maintain detailed and accurate records of property inventory items. 
• Collect latent fingerprints and match to computer or inked print files. 
• Review and examine documents for completeness, sufficiency, and conformity.
• Coordinate activities with a variety of personnel and agencies.
• Present accurate court testimony concerning evidential property.
• Safely handle and care for firearms.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

 Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade; and

 One (1) year of experience in receiving and storing property and/or evidence, preferably in a law enforcement setting. 

 Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required;?frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information, materials, and property and evidence; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 10 pounds, or heavier weights of up to 50 pounds, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Color vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and to differentiate between color-coded items. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. 
• Smell to identify substances.
• When assigned to work in the field, mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.   
• Also includes warehouse work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, chemicals, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. 
• Also includes field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, chemicals, hazardous physical substances and fumes, decomposing bodies, and bodily fluids. 
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.   
• Must be willing to work during evenings, weekends and holidays.

 EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes two-way radios; cameras; personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

 Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.