Evidence Specialist

Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Verifies packaging or packages of incoming items, including hazardous and biohazardous items. Ensures accurate chain of custody and that accurate and current documentation exists in the records management system: provides care, custody and control of items to ensure its integrity from receipt to final disposition.
• Collect evidence from all evidence submission locations on and off-site. Transports evidence in a secure manner from collection points throughout the county to the evidence unit and to offsite testing facilities, such as FDLE. As well as, transport to facilities for destruction.
• Accept all evidence submissions into the property room, assigning a property record number and proper storage location. Scan all submission documents to maintain computer records.
• Provides internal and external customer service by means of in person contact, telephone or email. Answers questions and resolves issues with sworn staff, state liaison’s, attorneys, other agencies and the public in a confidential manner.
• Pull and submit evidence to the lab for processing.
• Determines the disposition of each case and enters such in the computer database in accordance with agency policy and state statutes.
• Conducts successful inquiries into various databases and other appropriate information/records systems to retrieve the requested information in accordance with agency policy.
• Documents and carefully maintains the security and control of all collected evidence, ensuring the integrity of the evidence and limited accessibility so the evidence may be presented and accepted by a court of law pursuant to state and federal statutes consistent with agency policies and procedures.
• Completes property/evidence receipts to reflect chain of custody and all pertinent evidence/property information pursuant to agency policy.
• Ensures that all persons entering and leaving the evidence room are authorized, and if applicable, escorted and/or signed in/out in accordance with agency policies/procedures.
• Verifies that all required information and forms on evidence/property envelopes/packages are complete and packaged correctly. Evidence not meeting this criteria are placed in the rejection/problem bin and if applicable entered in to the computer system, and the appropriate personnel notified of such pursuant to agency policy. To ensure all evidence is corrected and submitted in a timely manner.
• Assists deputies and detectives with processing requests for CCSO lab and FDLE lab.
• Informs owners and/or other applicable parties of the procedures for claiming property and will answer any pertinent questions and provide additional assistance to the requesting party in accordance with agency policies/procedures.
• Obtains and verifies the appropriate court orders to destroy drugs and/or drug evidence.
• Completes all required documentation/forms supporting the destruction/disposal of evidence.
• Documents the destruction/disposal in the evidence management system.
• Researches case status in order to effect release, destruction and donation of property no longer needed for evidentiary purposes pursuant to agency policy and in accordance with state laws.
• Processes requests and/or conduct viewings of evidentiary property for authorized personnel pursuant to agency policy and in accordance with state laws.
• Assists the State Attorney’s Office with viewing evidence and checking in/out evidence for trials.
• Performs annual audits, inspections, and inventories of the evidence unit as required.
• Performs custodial duties, such as sweeping, mopping and removal of trash.
• On call for submission of high liability items in accordance with agency policies.
• Relocating evidence to additional storage locations
• Court appearance when requested to testify to chain of custody.
• Processes applicable incoming and outgoing documents and/or files in a timely manner consistent with supervisory direction and/or agency policies/procedures.
• Participates in cross-training with other co-workers; assists those co-workers when the need arises and learns new tasks by working together as a team.
• Reports identified or potential maintenance, safety, and/or non-compliance findings, hazards, and incidents to the appropriate personnel and/or department.
• Timely completes all assignments, special projects, and budgetary requirements (if applicable) as directed, adhering to applicable agency policies.
• Adheres to leave and attendance policies, including punctual arrival and completing full shifts. Informs the supervisor about illness or untimely incidents, reports overtime hours worked, and timely submits timesheet, attendance, and leave requests.
• Regularly checks assigned mailbox, phone calls, PowerDMS, and email messages, responding promptly and professionally.
• Makes assigned chain of command aware of anything noteworthy.
• Responds to supervision, guidance, direction, and feedback from executive staff and superiors in a receptive manner and in accordance with agency policies.
• Conducts themselves in a polite, helpful, courteous, ethical, and professional manner, abiding by the established code of ethics, and demonstrates a courteous and professional image when engaged in any activity with the public.
• Cultivates positive working relationships with colleagues and other agency units to enhance work area output and services in line with agency policies.
• Demonstrates an understanding, consideration, and respect of cultural, religious, and gender differences when interacting with the public and coworkers.
• Actively participate in job-specific training.
• Operates and performs minor repairs for office equipment to manufacturer’s specifications and/or within the specified parameters pursuant to agency policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Requirements

Qualifications and Requirements for All Positions

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proficient in Microsoft office products
• Speak and understand the English language
• Two (2) years of relevant work experience required.
• The following items (or authorized equivalents) may be required at various steps in the application process:
• Driver's License
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Form DD214 for all periods served in the military
• GED or High School Diploma and Sealed Transcripts from the highest level of education
• FDLE Authority for Release (notarized)

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