Property Room Specialist

City of Baytown; Pelly (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Baytown seeks a detail-oriented and organized Police Property Room Specialist responsible for managing evidence and property custody within the police department. This role involves performing administrative duties, processing evidence, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. Candidates should possess a high school diploma and relevant experience, with strong customer service skills and familiarity with law enforcement protocols being essential.

Benefits

Diverse workplace culture

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year related experience is preferred.
• JIMS Certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintains chain of custody for evidence and property.
• Processes and verifies ownership of property.
• Researches police reports for evidence disposition.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Customer Service

Data Entry

Report Preparation

Legal Research

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Justice Information Management System - JIMS

Job description

Are you detail-oriented, organized, and committed to integrity? The City of Baytown is seeking a dedicated Police Property Room Specialist to play a critical role in maintaining the chain of custody for evidence and property in our police department.

Performs administrative duties to support the department’s overall mission. Uses/requires office skills to handle: customer service/communications (internal/external), file organization and management, computer skills including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and graphics software, mathematical computation, report and letter preparation, and decision making within the scope of responsibility.

Accepts, records, controls evidence/property, and maintains chain of custody for all evidence received. Verifies all property is in the correct case number/location and contacts supervisor and/or officer for property correction. Processes, researches, and sends letters to rightful owners of the property.

Researches police investigative reports and determines disposition of the related evidence or property. Interprets municipal/government code, federal and state statute for the disposal of property. Petitions appropriate court for destruction or forfeiture authorization. Organizes property items ready for disposal and prepares and maintains a database listing those items.

• Receives evidence from police officers for processing. Retrieves property from evidence lockers or property room hallway and transports them into the property room, registering them in the computer system, assigning a bar code, preserving and storing them in designated areas. Stores items in filing cabinets, open shelving, storage boxes, and barrels, on the floor or in outside storage areas based on the type of item, its dimensions, and weight. Includes currency, narcotics, biohazards, weapons, documents, DVDs etc.
• Maintains custody controls in computer for evidence and property removed from property room. Researches inactive cases and reviews statute of limitations. Provides customer service to citizens inquiring about property. Assists citizens with returning lost or stolen/recovered items. Coordinates with detectives, patrol and other agencies on evidence being controlled and seeks authorization to release seized items to the rightful owners- to include currency and weapons.
• Researches and examines police investigative reports in which charges are present to determine the disposition of related evidence or property. If ownership applies, send certified correspondence in accordance with state statutes and city ordinances explaining the owner's legal rights. Decides which course of action to initiate for property not retrieved by owners; auction, destroy, or transfer for departmental use. Retrieves case dispositions and queries property for ‘no stolen’ status utilizing state, county and municipal automated systems. Verifies property is in the assigned location. Interprets and applies information regarding municipal/government code, federal and state statutes for disposal of different property types. Tracks the distribution and receipt of motions by maintaining an information spreadsheet.
• Replenishes evidence supplies. Maintains the cleanliness of all property room locations. Accepts packages for police, court, and dispatch.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• One year related experience.
• Experienced in computer operations – Microsoft Windows.
• Justice Information Management System – JIMS Certification must be completed within 6 months of hire date.
• Valid Driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.

Preferred:

• Two years experience in police evidence and property control policies and procedures.
• Training in law enforcement computer systems: JIMS, TLETS, NCIC/TCIC.

• Knowledge of law enforcement operations, basic police work, operation of property room and inventory operations.

• Knowledge of database software.

• Ability to organize and manage time efficiently and work independently.

• Skills in typing and filing.

• Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.

• Knowledge of general legal terminology and principles to perform legal research regarding disposal of property and evidence.

Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.