Evidence & Property Specialist

Summary

Manages evidence and property for a county sheriff’s office, handling intake, storage, chain-of-custody documentation, and disposal while ensuring strict legal and security compliance.

NOTICE TO APPLICANT

This position will close at 12:00AM MST on the End Date.

You must ensure your application reflects the correct and current information for your work experience, hours worked per week per position, education, personal information, etc.

Only the information provided on this application is evaluated when determining compensation.

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY.

Under the general supervision of the assigned supervisor, receives, stores, inventories, retrieves, and releases evidentiary and unclaimed property that is retained by the Sheriff’s Office.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES.

  • Takes receipt of, accepts, identifies, documents, packages, secures, and stores a wide variety of evidentiary items in strict accordance with legally prescribed chain of custody procedures.

  • Picks up or receives evidentiary property, enters evidence into computer, and informs responsible authorities of discrepancies.

  • Prepares and maintains precise logs of items received and inventoried, and processes evidence of a sensitive nature.

  • Maintains the highest level of confidentiality on all information.

  • Prepares and files records and reports as required, marks, tags, protectively covers and positions crime related items such as firearms, other weapons, narcotics, controlled substances, currency, jewelry, other valuables and biohazard materials (e.g. blood, needles, cremated remains) in locked containers or storage areas.

  • Testifies on chain-of-custody records and procedures, as required.

  • Prepares confiscated or abandoned materials and property for destruction or disposal. Involves: reviewing assigned cases and related material evidence and presenting findings to legal authorities for further review and approval; issues property being retained as evidence to officer at time of trial (upon receipt of authorization), preparing disposal or destruction transaction documents as required by policies or ordinances and the state penal code; creates petitions, orders, verifications, certifications, newspaper articles, and exhibits for courts to get authorization to destroy, auction, or convert any evidence; accounting for, packaging and otherwise processing, documentation, and sending or delivering property such as: money, abandoned valuables (e.g. jewelry) for possible sale at auction or donation to charitable organizations, weapons for destruction, bio-hazard materials for destruction at medical facility; or returning property to authorized owners upon proof of ownership, as directed.

  • Maintains confidentiality with regard to information received on cases and is responsible for knowing and abiding by all department and county policies and procedures.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES.

  • Performs related incidental duties contributing to realization of unit or team objectives as required. Includes: explaining and demonstrating work to assist supervisor in orientating and training less knowledgeable employees; maintaining inventory of evidence room and conducting annual inventory.

  • Performs supplies inventory duties that include but are not limited to: ordering supplies and logging equipment and items checked out to employees

  • Conducts background checks for release of weapons, assists with fingerprinting, maintains database and security codes of all associated computer equipment including hardware and software.

QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Education. High school diploma or equivalent is required

B. Experience. Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in receiving, tagging, cataloging, releasing, ordering, inventorying and issuing supplies. Must have knowledge of law enforcement terminology.

C. Education/Experience substitution. In accordance with County policy

D. Licenses/Certifications. A valid Driver’s License is required. Must maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with County policy

E. Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver’s license record, etc.). Must pass background check and driver’s license check. No Felony convictions

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Must have knowledge of inventory maintenance practices for a wide variety of property; strict security and administrative controls for classification and storage of items, such as evidence for law enforcement purposes; the rules of evidence and chain of custody procedures; record keeping; and some knowledge of computerized inventory record keeping procedures.

Must have skills to follow the legal chain-of-custody and property disposal procedures; accurately and legibly post and maintain inventory records and documents, identify and reconcile related discrepancies; operate motor vehicle, personal computer and applicable software, and material handling equipment;

Must have ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, Sheriff’s deputies, and members of the public.

Compensation Range

$19.59 - $29.39

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.