Police Evidence Specialist

City of Eugene; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life Insurance

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Job summary

The City of Eugene’s Eugene Police Department is seeking a Police Evidence Specialist to receive, inventory, and securely store property and evidence, including digital materials. The role supports detectives and officers, ensuring chain of custody and proper disposal of items as required.

Regular and Limited Duration positions are available; this role includes 4/10 schedules, call-outs, and a robust benefits package. Living in Eugene, OR offers community and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience handling property and evidence in a police setting.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventory records and chain of custody.
• Ability to work with the public and testify in court.

Responsibilities

• Receive, inventory, store and dispose of property and evidence.
• Maintain secure storage and chain of custody.
• Retrieve and transport evidence to labs as required.
• Assist detectives and officers in court when needed.
• Check ownership using reports and records.
• Work with the public answering questions about evidence.
• Photograph property and evidence for court.
• Operate equipment and digital evidence systems.

Skills

Property and evidence handling

Inventory control

Court/testimony support

Job description

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. P.T. Accepting Online Applications Only through the City of Eugene Website.

The Eugene Police Department is hiring for one regular and one Limited Duration position; this posting may be used to fill future vacancies. The regular position is an ongoing budgeted role, and the other position is anticipated to last approximately twelve months as a fully benefited Limited Duration role.

Joining the Eugene Police Department (EPD) means becoming part of a progressive, professional law enforcement agency that partners with our community to promote safety and security, enforce laws, prevent crimes, and safeguard the constitutional rights of all people. Serving a vibrant city of roughly 178,900 residents, our department includes approximately 221 sworn officers across patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and administrative roles—supported by nearly 144 civilian staff—working together 24/7, 365 days a year.

Every day, our officers respond to about 240 calls and generate more than 15,000 distinct criminal cases over the last two years. Behind the scenes, the Evidence Control Unit plays a vital role—receiving, cataloging, safeguarding, and managing thousands of pieces of property and evidence from intake through final disposition, ensuring the justice system functions with integrity. Each year, the unit receives approximately 15,000 pieces of new physical property and evidence, as well as over 300,000 new pieces of digital evidence, managing both with precision and care.

As part of EPD, you'll thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where no two days are alike. Beyond investigations, our staff engage in community education and crime-prevention—through initiatives like National Night Out, Citizen’s Police Academy, Safety Town for preschoolers, and targeted outreach by our Community Engagement Team.

The City of Eugene participates in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System and offers a competitive benefits package: health, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits.

Classification

Police Evidence Specialist

Salary

$28.87 - $36.98 hourly / $60,049.60 - $76,918.40 annually

Department, Division

Eugene Police Department / Police Investigations

Union Representation

Eugene Police Employees’ Association (EPEA)

Work Location

Eugene Police Headquarters, 300 Country Club Rd, Eugene, OR 97401

Schedule

Work a 4/10 work schedule (including holidays). Evidence Specialists are subject to call-out (overtime) after hours, that may include nights, weekends and holidays.

Benefits

The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.

Living & Working in Eugene

Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

About the Regular Position

• The regular position is an ongoing budgeted role.

About the Limited Duration Position

• This Limited Duration position could last up to 12 months per business need.
• If you are a current limited duration City of Eugene employee, you will not have rights back to your previous position.
• Limited Duration employees are at-will and do not have a probationary period.

• Receives, inventories, stores and disposes of stolen, abandoned and found property, including diverse personal property items, computers, firearms, jewelry and money from a variety of crime scene materials collected for analysis and/or evidence, which may include property listed previously as well as hazardous materials such as medical/biological waste, illegal drugs, computers or pharmaceuticals, blood, semen, urine, or clothing, marijuana and marijuana plants which may contain pathogenic mold.
• Ensures that property and evidence is secure from theft, loss or contamination.
• Maintains accurate manual and automated inventory systems and records of all property and evidence; properly marks, tags, and packages evidence and property as required.
• May retrieve and transport evidence from crime scene; transports evidence to state laboratory for analysis as required.
• Responsible for safe storage of evidence and for ensuring that chain of custody is clearly preserved whenever evidence is received or is removed from property room.
• May assist detectives and/or officers with showing and identifying evidence in court; may testify as to chain of custody, policy and procedures.
• Determines ownership of property or evidence by checking police reports, law enforcement computer systems and other public records.
• Works directly with the public, both on the telephone and in person, answering questions about evidence being held and lost property.
• Maintain clean and orderly property storage facilities.
• Evaluates public request for release of evidence and property; checks that case is completed or statute of limitation have run out before releasing property; checks for outstanding warrants and whether release has been authorized, before releasing property; photographs property and evidence used in criminal cases before releasing it to owners.
• Checks case reports for authorization to dispose of evidence and property; assists in the disposal of evidence and unclaimed property through various disposal processes or auctions; purges items from inventory records.
• Stays abreast of local, state and federal laws involving property-evidence handling and recommend appropriate changes.
• Process and manage digital evidence from department systems and external submissions in compliance with legal and policy requirements. Retrieve, review, and redact digital media for authorized release to courts, other agencies, and attorneys.
• Upload, categorize, and validate digital media and metadata in the digital evidence management system; monitor incoming files and ensure accurate routing and tagging.
• Initiate digital evidence disposition by reviewing court orders, case status, statutory retention requirements, and other governing regulations
• Provide general technical guidance and basic troubleshooting for digital evidence systems to end users.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Department personnel and the general public.
• Actively supports and respects diversity in the workplace.
• May supervise volunteers.
• May require use of City vehicles.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Ideal Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Methods and procedures used in receiving and storing property.
• Departmental policies and procedures as applied to property and evidence storage as well as confidentiality.
• Applicable City, State and federal laws and statutes covering evidence and property, including disposal, statute of limitation, State Finders Law.
• General court systems process and use of evidence.
• Maintaining organized records, inventories, and tracking systems.
• Police computer systems and other computer programs.
• Proper handling of sensitive and dangerous evidence, such as drugs and firearms.
• Proper handling of sensitive and dangerous evidence.

Ability to

• Properly store criminal evidence and property.
• Follow procedures to preserve and maintain custody of evidence, and to maintain accurate records.
• Ensure proper disposition of evidence/property.
• Apply laws, policies, and procedures related to the receipt, storage, redaction, release, and disposition of digital evidence.
• Handle confidential matters appropriately.
• Explain department and city ordinances and procedures as to property releases, evidence, found property and disposals.
• Interpret court orders, subpoenas, discovery rules, and retention schedules as they relate to digital media.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Work effectively with criminal justice professionals and the public.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Use on-line police computer systems.
• Use digital evidence management systems to upload, tag, track, search, export, and redact electronic media accordingly.
• Operate a variety of business machines, such as computers, Audio/Visual (A/V) duplication equipment including audio cassette, VHS, 8mm, CD & DVD and other digital equipment, copier, scales, shredder, etc.
• Troubleshoot common digital-media issues, including file format problems, playback difficulties, and system software errors.
• Operate property/evidence vehicle.
• Simultaneously handle numerous inquiries or requests.
• Photograph property/evidence prior to release or for court purposes.
• Maintain physical agility to stock, lift, and retrieve evidence or property.
• Maintain safe working environment.
• Obtain LEDS certification within 90 days of hire.

The City of Eugene encourages individuals of all communities and backgrounds to apply for job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to the public.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable knowledge, skills, and abilities from a variety of sources and experiences.

Eligibility List

This posting may also be used to establish a 6-month eligibility list of applicants for future vacancies. Candidates that are placed on the eligibility list will be notified via email which will include the duration of the list and how notification of call up will occur.

What to Expect from our Selection Process

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 8-10 weeks to complete.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at [phone].

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States. NOTE: The City of Eugene does not participate in the E-Verify program; therefore, candidates requiring E-Verify for employment authorization will not be eligible for employment with the City.