Public Safety Specialist (Criminal Evidence Section)

Prince-William-County-Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits (VRS)

Paid time off

Medical and dental plans

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Prince William County Government seeks a Public Safety Specialist in the Criminal Evidence Section to manage intake, storage, release, and disposal of property and evidence with strict chain-of-custody. You will interact with the public and law enforcement, ensuring confidentiality and accuracy in records, while supporting audits and interagency tasks.

The role requires a background in law enforcement‑adjacent fields, attention to detail, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1 year of related experience in law enforcement, public safety, evidence/property room, records management, or clerical/technical field.
• Associate’s degree or degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Forensics, or related field preferred.
• Experience with filing, inventory, and evidence management software.
• Demonstrated superior customer service and effective written/oral communication.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to learn specialized databases.
• Prior experience testifying in court or maintaining chain‑of‑custody records.
• Knowledge of chain‑of‑custody principles, evidence handling protocols, and confidentiality.
• Ability to train or instruct internal team members or external agency personnel on evidence handling procedures, chain of custody protocols, or evidence management systems.
• Certifications such as Evidence Handling (e.g., IAPE), NCIC/VCIN access, or CJIS Security Awareness Training.

Responsibilities

• Handle intake, secure storage, release, submission to state laboratory, and lawful disposal of property and evidence with proper chain-of-custody.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with audits, inventories, and interagency coordination.
• Serve as the public face of the Evidence Section, answering inquiries from the public, law enforcement, and external agencies.
• Assist supervisory staff with reporting, fiscal tracking, and special projects.

Skills

Customer service

Written communication

Oral communication

Chain-of-custody knowledge

Evidence handling procedures

Education

Associate’s degree or related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

Job description

Are you an individual who is energized by the feeling of supporting those who serve in Public Safety? Are you looking for a busy and diverse office environment? Come join a dynamic team of business professionals doing meaningful work as a Public Safety Specialist, serving a key role for the Criminal Evidence Section, supporting a Police Force Dept of 900+ sworn and professional staff members.

About This Role:

As a Public Safety Specialist – Criminal Evidence Section, you will play a vital role in supporting our mission to uphold justice and serve the community by ensuring the integrity, security, and proper handling of criminal evidence and property. This position offers a dynamic and meaningful opportunity to work at the intersection of law enforcement, public service, and meticulous recordkeeping. In this role, you will work under regular supervision while performing a wide variety of complex, detail-oriented tasks critical to the criminal justice process. Your primary responsibilities will include the intake, secure storage, release, submission to the state laboratory, and lawful disposal of property and evidence, all while maintaining precise chain-of-custody documentation to support legal proceedings. You will proactively identify and resolve discrepancies, system issues, or storage concerns in collaboration with your supervisor, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. You will also contribute to the broader team by cross‑training in other functional areas, assisting with periodic audits and inventories, and supporting fellow team members when needed. As the public face of the Evidence Section, you will respond to inquiries from the general public, law enforcement, and external agencies, providing excellent customer service while ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive materials. Additionally, you will assist supervisory staff with reporting, fiscal tracking, special projects, and interagency coordination, helping keep our operations running smoothly and effectively. On occasion, you may be called to testify in court regarding the custody and handling of evidence, underscoring the critical nature of your work. This position requires the ability to work well in a team environment and independently, maintaining a high level of integrity and attention to detail in a secure, high‑accountability setting.

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or G.E.D. and 1 year of related experience working in law enforcement, public safety, evidence/property room, records management, or another clerical/technical field.

Preferences:

1. Associate’s degree or degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Forensics, or a related field preferred.
2. Experience with filing, inventory, and evidence management software.
3. Demonstrated superior customer service and effective written/oral communication.
4. Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn specialized databases.
5. Prior experience testifying in court or maintaining chain‑of‑custody records.
6. Knowledge of chain‑of‑custody principles, evidence handling protocols, and confidentiality.
7. Demonstrated ability to train or instruct internal team members or external agency personnel on evidence handling procedures, chain of custody protocols, or the use of evidence management and tracking systems.
8. The ideal candidate will have certifications such as Evidence Handling (e.g., IAPE), NCIC/VCIN access, or CJIS Security Awareness Training.

Special Requirements:

1. Must pass a thorough background investigation, which may include criminal history, credit check, education verification, license verification, and/or fingerprinting.
2. Must have a current, valid driver's license.

Work Schedule:

1. Ability to work Monday- Friday, 7:30 am-3:30 pm
2. Subject to callouts and work beyond standard hours as operational needs require, may take place.

Starting Salary Range: $29.06 - $34.19

Why Join Us?

Joining our team means you’ll not only contribute to the safety and well‑being of our community but also enjoy a range of perks and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Professional development and training opportunities, including certifications in evidence handling and secure records management.
• Access to County-provided equipment and resources, such as a county vehicle (when required for field duties) and a County-issued cell phone for business use.
• The opportunity to work in a supportive, team‑oriented environment that values integrity, accuracy, and service to the public.
• Opportunities to build strong interagency relationships and gain experience in a high‑impact area of public safety operations.

If you are detail‑oriented, customer‑focused, and eager to contribute to meaningful work that upholds the integrity of the justice system, this is the role for you.

Work Environment and Conditions:

1. Work in secure evidence storage facilities with controlled access.
2. Regular handling of firearms, narcotics, biohazards, currency, and other sensitive or potentially hazardous materials and sometimes graphic in nature.
3. Exposure to strong odors, contaminated items, or deteriorating evidence.
4. Frequent lifting and moving of items up to 50 pounds; use of ladders and protective equipment required.
5. Rotating on‑call and potential call‑back duties.

Prince William County also offer great benefits, including:

1. Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
2. 401a and 457 retirement savings and investment plans
3. Paid Annual Leave
4. Paid Personal Leave
5. Paid Sick Leave
6. Paid Holidays
7. Optional Group Medical and Dental Health Plans
8. Optional Group Life Insurance
9. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
10. Career Development Opportunities

Full‑time positions with Prince William County Government qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

NOTE: The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.