EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN

St. George, City of (UT); Saint George (UT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

City of St. George's Police Department seeks an Evidence Room Clerk to manage property and evidence custody under the Administrative Services Sergeant.

The role covers receiving, documenting, storing, safeguarding, testing, and transferring items while maintaining chain of custody. You will work with compliance to state and federal laws, prepare reports, coordinate with investigators, laboratories, and courts, and participate in audits and disposal when authorized.

Qualifications

• Minimum education requirement: high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with records management, evidence handling, or law enforcement support is preferred.
• Knowledge of Utah criminal justice procedures and public records requirements.

Responsibilities

• Receives, inspects, and securely stores all property and evidence submitted to the Evidence Room.
• Maintains accurate chain of custody documentation in the records management system.
• Coordinates transfers of evidence to investigators, laboratories, prosecutors, courts, and other agencies.
• Trains department staff on property and evidence submission and chain of custody requirements.
• Testifies in court when subpoenaed and provides processing support at crime scenes when needed.

Skills

Ethics and integrity

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Google Suite

Spillman RMS

Job description

Under the general direction of the Administrative Services Sergeant, maintains all functions of operating an evidence room including, but not limited to, receiving, documenting, storing, safeguarding, releasing, testing, transferring, and disposing of property and evidence collected or retained by the Police Department. Maintains the integrity and chain of custody of evidence while ensuring compliance with applicable State and Federal laws, court requirements, departmental policies, and records retention requirements. Evaluates processes for effectiveness and efficiency and makes recommendations for improvements/best practices.(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list of tasks is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)Operates computers and other electronic equipment to generate letters, reports, statements, memorandums, and other materials from rough draft, final draft, and notes.

1. Assists department/division staff with projects by locating and organizing selected information, summarizing data, and verifying processing.
2. Receives, inspects, and securely stores all property and evidence submitted to the Evidence Room. Responsible for verifying evidence records against submitted items to ensure accuracy.
3. Maintains accurate, complete, and timely chain of custody documentation for all evidence and property within the records management system.
4. Maintains the cleanliness, organization, security, and operational readiness of assigned evidence storage areas, evidence lockers, and workspaces.
5. Coordinates tracking, documentation, and remediation of improperly submitted evidence.
6. Assists with random audits, inventories, and quality control reviews of property and evidence records, storage areas, and Evidence Room procedures under the direction of their chain of command.
7. Immediately documents and reports suspected evidence-security concerns, damaged packaging, compromised seals, missing items, or chain-of-custody discrepancies in accordance with departmental policy.
8. Documents transfers of evidence to authorized personnel, including investigators, forensic laboratories, prosecutors, courts, and other law enforcement agencies. Coordinates the transportation or shipment of evidence to crime laboratories and authorized external agencies.
9. Researches case status and retention requirements; obtains and documents disposition authorization from authorized personnel or entities before releasing, destroying, transferring, auctioning, or otherwise disposing of property.
10. Coordinates and documents the lawful disposal, destruction, auction, release, or transfer of unclaimed, contraband, or court-authorized property and evidence in accordance with State/Federal law and departmental policies.
11. Matches found property items with lost property reports.
12. Makes Reasonable efforts to identify and notify property owners that their property is in Police Department custody.
13. Responds professionally to inquiries from department staff, prosecutors, courts, property owners, and the public regarding evidence and property.
14. Trains or provides guidance to department personnel on property and evidence submission, packaging, labeling, documentation, and chain of custody requirements.
15. Conducts approved presumptive testing and identification procedures for controlled substances within the scope of training, certification, policy, and legal authority.
16. Testifies in court when subpoenaed based on prosecutorial needs.
17. Provides evidence processing, collection, packaging, and documentation support at crime scenes when assigned and within the scope of training and departmental policy.
18. Handles various clerical functions to include photocopying, ordering office and packaging supplies, and arranging for office/equipment repairs.
19. Maintains records in accordance with applicable records-retention schedules, court orders, Utah Government Records Access and Management Act requirements, and departmental policy.
20. Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Physical/Mental Demands/Working Conditions

Work requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing step ladders. The employee frequently lifts, carries, pushes, pulls, or moves medium to heavy items and may be required to use appropriate lifting techniques, equipment, or assistance for heavier materials. The position involves regular exposure to unpleasant or potentially hazardous conditions, including dirt, dust, noxious odors or fumes, biological materials, bodily fluids, contaminated property, and other items that may present a risk of communicable disease. The employee must follow established safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment when handling such materials. Work may involve contact with firearms, ammunition, controlled substances, sharp objects, and other sensitive or hazardous evidence. The employee may occasionally work outdoors or stand for extended periods in unfavorable weather or other operational conditions. The position requires sustained attention to detail, sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to remain professional when handling sensitive, disturbing, or stressful materials and interactions. Work hours may vary temporarily or permanently from regular office hours and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or other nontraditional schedules as operational needs require.

Education:

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience:

Desirable experience includes any of the following, or combination of:

• Prior employment with a law enforcement agency
• A degree in a field associated with this position
• Prior experience in large inventory systems management
• Supervision and management of personnel and/or processes
• Non-sworn experience may include records management, law enforcement support, or evidence handling.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license at the time of hire and maintain a valid Utah driver's license within the timeframe required by Utah law and City policy.
• Certification as a Utah Marijuana Leaf Identification Technician and formal training/certification in evidence management are desirable.
• Must be able to obtain Utah Marijuana Leaf Identification Technician certification once employed.
• Must be able to complete approved property and evidence management training once employed.

Knowledge of:

• Utah criminal justice procedures, court processes, and public records requirements.
• Evidence handling and packaging best practices, chain of custody requirements, and secure property control practices.
• Department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations as they relate to evidence handling and control. Knowledge to be obtained by the conclusion of the probationary period.
• Current applicable computer software applications including, but not limited to, Google Suite and Spillman RMS.
• Clerical and general office practices and the operation of standard office machines.

Skills:

• Display a high level of ethics and integrity
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize activities effectively
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• High level of organizational skills.
• Skilled in multitasking and the ability to carry out a variety of procedures as developed through training and experience.
• Proper use of the English language; bi/multilingual skills are desirable.

Ability to:

• Maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and accountability.
• Accurately enter, retrieve, reconcile, and manage detailed records in computerized systems.
• Follow written procedures and exercise sound judgment.
• Organize large volumes of property and evidence while maintaining accuracy and security.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with police personnel, prosecutors, court staff, laboratories, elected officials, other law enforcement agencies, and members of the public.
• Work well both independently and as part of a team with Evidence Room personnel and other department personnel.
• Multi-task and prioritize competing demands in a high accountability environment.
• Maintain confidentiality of criminal justice information, personally identifiable information, and other sensitive records.
• Must successfully complete and maintain eligibility under applicable City, Police Department, UCJIS/CJIS, and criminal-justice information access requirements, including a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation and any required screening.
• Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, including criminal history review, prior employment verification, personal reference checks, social media review, lie detection testing, and drug screening.
• Apply workplace safety protocols and utilize proper application of personal protective equipment.
• Lift and/or move objects up to 50 lbs, and have the ability to utilize proper tools, equipment, and techniques to occasionally move objects exceeding 50 lbs, which may be large, heavy, and/or awkwardly shaped.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle in compliance with federal and state laws, and city/department policy.
• Obtain and maintain any required certifications, training, or approvals related to evidence handling, criminal justice information security (UCJIS), drug testing, and/or other state or federal databases/systems as needed.