Property & Evidence Specialist

Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages, maintains, organizes, examines and evaluates all criminal evidence and property submissions from all Sworn personnel to ensure they are accurate and conform with Florida Statutes and policies; corrects errors and discrepancies.
• Researches, investigates, and verifies case closure eligibility; writes, prepares, coordinates, manages and completes all court orders for drug and weapons destruction; assumes lead role in drug and weapons destruction in accordance with FL Statues and Policies.
• Supervises and coordinates the proper collection, storage and disposal of bio-hazardous waste; coordinates with charitable organizations to offer property and prepares property for delivery to charitable organizations.
• Prepares photographs of evidence; prepares copies of evidence for attorneys; duplicates video/audio tapes; weighs narcotics; packages items and stores in appropriate locations; maintains Chain of Custody of Evidence at all times.
• Gathers, organizes, examines, and prepares reports and transports evidence to laboratory officials for processing; disseminates reports.
• Prepares or creates various forms, reports, correspondences, logs, property receipts, evidence correction notices, subpoenas, lab requests/reports, court orders, property records, and other documents.
• Maintains and organizes computer databases, files and other records; enters, deletes, researches and retrieves data; updates and purges computer files in accordance with policies; updates databases to reflect current dispositions of property and evidence.
• Ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and the use of safety equipment to ensure the safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Notifies owners of found or recovered property; assists the public in locating their property; sets up appointments for owners to identify property and returns property to rightful owners; deescalates problems if property cannot be returned due to open case.
• Supervises and assists with the maintenance of property receipts and records associated with property and evidence; prepares and sets up files; sorts and organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; destroys confidential paperwork.
• Provides training to police personnel in matters relating to evidence collection, safekeeping, chain of custody, or related issues. Attends various meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations to the Citizen’s Police Academy, the Police Explorers Program, and other civic organizations as directed.
• Performs related tasks as required.

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

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 18 years of age. Requires an Associate’s degree or specialized courses/training equivalent to satisfactory completion of two years of college in law enforcement, evidence collection, or a closely-related field.
• Requires two years’ experience in the maintenance of police evidence and property control to include public contact and recordkeeping or closely related experience.
• Possession of a valid driver license from any State is required at the time of application; valid Florida driver license is required within thirty (30) days from the date of hire.
• FCIC/NCIC certification required within six (6) months of employment.
• Requires acquisition of Evidence Specialist certification to include DAVID, E-trace and S.T.A.C. systems within one (1) year from the date of hire.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Subject to the Department’s call-back provisions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of principles, methods, procedures and practices pertaining to preservation, storage, transfer and disposition of property and evidence, proper handling of chemical and biological hazards and firearms.
• Knowledge of the principles of inventory and storage of property and evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of record keeping methods and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of rules and regulations governing the custody and safekeeping of evidence and property through federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Ability to establish and follow schedules.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply laws and regulations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively prioritize.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently in a high security warehouse setting; skill in the operation of standard office and data entry equipment, video and audio duplication machines, two-way radio operation, FCIC/NCIC, bar coding equipment, small hand tools, digital and regular weigh scales.
• General knowledge of firearms and the ability to safely ascertain if a gun is loaded or unloaded.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

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