Senior Evidence and Property Technician

City of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sacramento is seeking a Senior Evidence and Property Technician to provide lead direction and oversee the storage and transportation of sensitive materials for the Police Department. You will train and mentor technicians, maintain chain of custody records, and coordinate lawful release and disposal of property in compliance with laws and policies.

The role requires strong judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work independently under minimal supervision while ensuring the

Qualifications

• Two years of experience comparable to the City of Sacramento's Evidence and Property Technician.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Valid California Class C Driver License.
• Ability to lead, train, and supervise staff.
• Knowledge of chain of custody procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in the receipt, storage, documentation, and security of evidence and property.
• Train, supervise, and mentor Evidence and Property Technicians.
• Authorize release, destruction, or disposition of evidence and property.
• Maintain and review chain of custody records and resolve discrepancies.
• Transport evidence and property to and from facilities and courts.
• Testify in court regarding chain of custody and maintenance.
• Maintain comprehensive databases of evidence and property.
• Provide customer service to internal and external partners.

Skills

Lead and supervise

Train and mentor

Customer service

Communication

Judgment

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Databases

Records systems

Job description

Please Note: a candidate must successfully pass a thorough background investigation, including a criminal history check for job-related convictions, fingerprinting, polygraph test, credit check, and a drug use history to be considered for this position.

The Senior Evidence and Property Technician provides lead direction to Evidence and Property Technicians and oversees the safe storage and transportation of sensitive materials. This position trains and mentors Evidence and Property Technicians, coordinates the lawful release and disposal of property in compliance with laws and departmental policies, maintains comprehensive and accurate records and databases, and serves as a resource for internal and external partners regarding evidence and property procedures.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate is an organized, detail-oriented professional with a strong understanding of evidence management practices. They demonstrate strong judgment, clear communication, and the ability to lead and mentor a team responsible for critical evidence and property functions. They are committed to proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies and adapting to evolving laws and departmental policies. They are skilled in training techniques, customer service, safe handling of sensitive materials, and supporting the overall integrity of evidence management operations.

To provide lead direction and to perform the more difficult and complex specialized duties related to the receipt, control, storage and disposition of evidence and property, held by the Police Department, to ensure the chain of custody and control of evidence used in criminal prosecutions and testifying in court about those chain of custody controls.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the lead level of the Evidence and Property Technician series. Positions in this classification are distinguished from those in the Evidence and Property Technician classification by the specialized skills and lead supervision provided by the former. This incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgement and oversee, direct, and perform a wide variety of evidence and property related duties with only minimal supervision or assistance. The Senior Evidence and Property Technician is distinguished from the Supervising Evidence and Property Technician in that the latter is responsible for the supervision of Senior Evidence and Property Technicians and providing direction to staff on complex tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General and administrative supervision is provided by the Supervising Evidence and Property Technician or higher-level staff. Responsibilities include providing functional supervision to Evidence and Property Technicians, as well as train, oversee, mentor, and give technical work direction and provide verbal and written feedback to the supervisory personnel with regards to subordinate work performance and progress. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform related duties as needed.

• Lead and participate in the receipt, storage, documentation, and security of evidence and property acquired by the Police Department.
• Train, lead and provide technical supervision to Evidence and Property Technician.
• Assist in demonstrating safe work procedures and methods related to storage and transportation of evidence and property.
• Authorize the release, destruction, disposal, or auction of all evidence and property upon receipt of written authorization or disposition orders in compliance with applicable laws, codes, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain and review chain of custody records; identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Provide assistance to Evidence and Property Technicians, Police Department personnel, the District Attorney’s Office, court officers and employees or members of the public in determining the status of disposition of evidence and property for release or review.
• Demonstrate and ensure the safe handling and storage of narcotics, monies, firearms and other weapons, explosives, hazardous material, medical waste, biological evidence, and biologically contaminated material.
• Respond to inquiries by telephone, in person, or via e-mail related to evidence and property; maintain composure and effectively manage difficult situations and exercise judgement in deciding when to refer to higher level personnel.
• Oversee the process and coordination of the destruction of narcotics and firearms.
• Oversee the process and coordination of money deposits and transfers.
• Random checks and queries of activities and provide technical direction and oversight of staff, notifying supervisory personnel regarding any unresolved or ongoing issues and discrepancies and providing feedback for performance evaluations and corrective actions, as necessary.
• Prepare evidence and property for storage using methods appropriate for the type and condition of the item.
• Transport evidence and property to and from Police Department facilities, courts of law, and other storage locations in a manner that assures the safety and preservation of the materials.
• Repair and maintenance of firearms, less-than-lethal weapons and devices, and safety equipment utilized by Police Department personnel, including maintain a database to track all inventory.
• Testify in courts of law regarding the chain of custody, storage, and maintenance of evidence.
• Maintain a database of all evidence and property including identification information such as a model number, serial number, crime report number or other information.
• Enter, update, and delete evidence and property identification information from national and state law enforcement databases.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office procedures, protocols, and standards.
• Common tools, and equipment associated with the maintenance of evidence and property.
• Chain of custody, requirements, procedures, and documentation for all evidence.
• Federal, State, and local statutes, codes and regulations pertaining to documentation, maintenance, storage, release and disposition of evidence and property.
• Standard office equipment including computers and applicable software applications, databases, and websites.
• Principles and practices of property storage, handling, and transportation.
• Principles and practices of record keeping, including basic accounting, and auditing practices.
• Techniques of effective customer service.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Safety equipment and its proper handling and maintenance.
• Training techniques and performance reviews.

Ability to:

• Testify in court.
• Lead, train, and oversee the work of employees, which includes the storage, safekeeping, and transportation of property.
• Repair and maintain police safety equipment.
• Interpret and apply laws, ordinances, and departmental policies and procedures and exercise independent judgment in performing duties and responsibilities within established guidelines relating to evidence and property.
• Perform basic arithmetic and calculations.
• Lift, move, and store property and supplies, using proper techniques and equipment of items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Operate required office and warehouse equipment.
• Keep complete and accurate records of items received, stored, and issued.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Provide training and evaluate the performance of personnel both orally and in writing.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience comparable to the of an Evidence and Property Technician in the City of Sacramento.

EDUCATION

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

COMPARABLE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

To see the classification specification for the comparable classification of Evidence and Property Technician, please click here.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

A valid California Class C Driver License is required for appointment to this classification and must be maintained in order to continue employment in the classification. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.