Evidence and Property Room Technician

Job Title: Evidence and Property Room Technician

Department: Police Department 

Pay Grade: (Grade 13) $42,452.80/DOQ

Benefits Information

• Comprehensive Health Coverage
• Medical plan options
• Vision and dental coverage for employees and their families

Paid Time Off

• 14 Paid holidays (as established by City Council)
• Vacation leave accrues from the date of hire
• Sick leave accrues from the date of hire

Retirement & Financial Benefits

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): 7% employee contribution with a 2-to-1 City match
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plans
• Voluntary flexible spending accounts (FSA) & health savings accounts (HSA) for health and dependent care

Professional Development & Additional Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Certification pay for eligible employees
• Longevity Pay 
• Safety Bonus

General Description

The Evidence and Property Room Technician (“Technician”) is a non-supervisory, civilian position with responsibility of care, control, and custody of property stored in the Evidence/Property Room. He or she must establish and maintain effective working relationships with Federal, State, County and local law enforcement agencies, the general public, and co-workers, and will assist criminal investigations with administrative work.

Essential Job Duties

The Technician must be able to perform the following essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Records crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras or other equipment.
2. Enters, transcribes, records, stores, or maintains information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
3. Properly and accurately classifies, categorizes, arranges and manages property and evidence.
4. Examines records to locate links in chain of evidence information.
5. Observes, receives and otherwise obtains information from all relevant sources.
6. Identifies case issues and evidence needed based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of laws violated.
7. Remains current with established protocol and case law to successfully affect the collection, storage, and disposition of evidence and seized assets.
8. Maintains statistical records and inventory control necessary to document or report the seizure, retention and disposition of entrusted property as necessary.
9. Develops post-arrest/seizure asset analysis for law enforcement personnel.
10. Maintains liaison with trial attorneys when necessary with regard to case status, trial dates, evidence presentation, and final adjudication.
11. Monitors status of criminal and civil court procedures to effect the timely disposition of property in accordance with court documents.
12. Operates basic police equipment (including but not limited to cameras, recorders, personal computer, body cameras and laptop computers).
13. Maintains security of established storage facilities for entrusted property.
14. Logs evidence and transports it to the appropriate facility when needed.
15. Retrieves, retains, and maintains evidence and arrest audio/video/photographic files.
16. Receives and records final civil forfeiture judgments and criminal case dispositions concerning the disposition of property in accordance with policy and state and federal law.
17. Maintains records in regards to the disposition of property.
18. Assisting with the destruction of evidence and outdated records. 
19. Performs physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs, and whole body movement such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and the handling of materials.
20. Performs day-to-day task such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
21. Testifies at legal or legislative proceedings.
22. Analyzes crime scene evidence.
23. Records information about suspects or criminals.
24. Responds to questions from citizens and agencies.
25. Attends meetings as assigned or required.
26. Develops specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish the work.
27. Keeps up-to-date on legal and procedural matters and applies new knowledge to the job.
28. Runs, maneuvers, navigates, or drives vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as passenger vehicles.
29. Effectively deals with difficult, unpleasant situations, irate or disturbed individuals or victims, or gruesome crime scene evidence, videos, or photographs.
30. Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships with Federal, State, County and local law enforcement agencies; local officials and the general public.
31. Assists Supervisor in matters when requested or directed; follows all appropriate procedures.
32. Reads and writes reports.
33. Uses computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to set up functions, enter data, or process information.
34. Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
35. Meets with supervisors and other staff members to identify and resolve problems and concerns.
36. Be helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrate a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others.
37. Responds to questions from citizens and agencies.
38. Uses good judgment in all decision-making and carrying out all job duties.
39. Punctual, regular, on-site, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job.
40. Demonstrates initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.
41. Safeguards City property and recognize and report needed repairs.
42. Works safely, follow safety rules and training, and maintains a clean, safe and healthful working environment.
43. Maintains appropriate confidentiality with regard to Police and other City business.
44. Follows City policies and procedures and the instructions and guidance of supervisor(s).
45. Communicates effectively with supervisors, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints.
46. Communicates with people outside the organization, represents the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information may be exchanged in person, in writing, fax, or by telephone or e-mail.
47. Discusses matters affecting the job or performance with immediate supervisor and up through the chain of command.
48. Dresses appropriately and in compliance with the City Policy.
49. Performs Administrative duties for the Command Staff when necessary.

Education and Basic Requirements:

The Technician must meet the following minimum requirements.

1. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
2. High school graduate or its equivalent.
3. Satisfactory results of background and employment screening checks including physical exam, psychological evaluation, and drug screening.
4. Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C or higher driver’s license and an satisfactory driving record.
5. Must attend a Property Room management school within one year of appointment.
6. Basic knowledge of latent prints and other evidence.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The Technician must have significant knowledge, skills and abilities as shown in the sections below.

Knowledge:

1. Working knowledge of criminal and civil laws, crime prevention methods, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, and identification and warrant procedures.
2. Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
3. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
4. Knowledge of personal computer, copiers, printers and MS Office software.

Skills:

1. Using good organization skills to classify, categorize, arrange and manage property and evidence.
2. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
3. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
4. Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problemsolving and decision-making.
5. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
6. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
7. Talking to others to convey information effectively.
8. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
9. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
10. Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities:

1. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees in other City departments, outside agencies and the general public with a courteous, helpful, and professional demeanor.
2. Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt quickly and effectively to stressful situations.
3. Ability to create and maintain records and reports.
4. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
5. The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce solutions that make sense.
6. Ability to understand (and request clarification when needed) and follow written and oral instructions, City and Departmental policies, rules, regulations and laws.
7. When required, be available for and on duty before and after normal working hours.
8. The ability to communicate information and ideas when speaking so others will understand.
9. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. This ability does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
10. The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly, both orally and in writing so others will understand.
11. The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
12. The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
13. The ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions, City and Departmental policies, rules, regulations and laws.
14. The ability to multi-task and maintain a clean, organized evidence/property room in compliance with pertinent laws, policies, and procedures.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

In order to successfully achieve the goals of the City and Department, the Technician must meet the following physical and mental requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

These requirements are representative, but not all inclusive of the physical and mental requirements necessary to perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform Essential Job Duties.

1. Must be sufficiently agile to go from an extended seated position to standing or running position with ease.
2. Must be able to observe catastrophic events and still perform your duties effectively.
3. Must be able to work extended hours without breaks.
4. Be able to work in extreme weather conditions in assigned required duty attire.
5. Vision abilities include close, distant, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
6. Ability to work effectively under extreme pressure/stress while performing Essential Job Duties.
7. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required for each are shown below.

The individual estimates may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.

1. Sitting - 50%
2. Walking - 10%
3. Bending - 5%
4. Standing - 20%
5. Lifting, carrying, or moving objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds - 5%
6. Pushing or pulling heavy objects, including but not limited to persons arrested or detained for crimes or questioning - 5%
7. Reaching -5%