Evidence Technician

Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Keeps the mission, vision, and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and the Police Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintaining high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Processes, receives, identifies, and records all property and evidence received. Enters and maintains all information pertaining to property into computer.
• Maintains stores and makes copies of property receipts.
• Transports evidence to and from the crime lab, and maintains status reports and results.
• Notifies and returns items and evidence to the owners, per policy.
• Handles all phone calls pertaining to evidence.
• Maintains paperwork and documentation regarding the physical destruction of property.
• Verifies quantity and weight of found drugs. Prepares court orders for drug disposal and destroys drugs.
• Assists State Attorney’s office and maintains State Attorney notices on dispositions of cases. Testifies in court on dispositions as requested.
• Assists officers and detectives in handling evidence.
• Verifies case dispositions.
• Processes civil forfeiture items and paperwork generated by the Police Department.
• Responsible for storage and care of the items.
• Maintains three outdoor compounds maintained by the evidence department until legal proceedings are finalized.
• Transports seized vehicles to and from the compounds. Utilizes City vehicle for transporting evidence between crime scenes and the crime lab for analysis of the evidence, as requested.
• Inputs, accesses, and retrieves information from a computer.
• Prepares reports. Maintains records and files.
• Assists co-workers and performs related work as required.
• Other duties as may be assigned by Division Commander or Supervisor.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. Experience in dealing with evidence and in police related work preferred. A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must obtain Evidence Specialist Certification through a department approved school within two (2) years from date of hire.
• Possession of valid Florida Driver’s License and maintenance of clean driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of policies and procedures in the control of evidence.
• Knowledge of local and state laws that pertain to evidence.
• Knowledge of the Department and City's policies, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks at one time.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions.
• Ability to think and react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for others.
• Ability to make arithmetic computations and tabulations accurately and with reasonable speed.
• Ability to operate computer equipment input and obtain information.
• Ability to learn quickly.
• Ability to adhere to prescribed routines.
• Ability to keep complex records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the public.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate pallet jacks, maneuver two-wheel and four-wheel carts with multiple items weighing over 100 lbs. The employee must also operate a walk behind electric “stacker” for placing bulk pallets of evidence onto bulk shelves. Personal protection equipment may be required as necessary such as helmets, glasses, gloves and breathing apparatus. Steel toe or composite toe shoes are mandatory.
• The employee regularly utilizes a ladder to place/retrieve evidence onto/from shelves. The ladders range from 2’ to 14’ in height; leaning, A-frame, and platform ladders are all utilized.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

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