Summary

The City of Pacific Grove is seeking to fill a Property & Evidence Technician vacancy. This professional staff position handles a broad range of confidential and sensitive records and maintains the integrity and security of criminal evidence, including handling hazardous and biohazardous substances. The ideal candidate will have commitment to the work, ethical decision-making skills, integrity, and be collaborator with staff, and members of the public.

Essential Functions

Under general supervision, to receive, load, transport, verify, store, record, safeguard, release and dispose of evidence and other property booked into Police Department and maintain related property records, and perform related work as required.

The Police Property and Evidence Specialist handles a broad range of confidential and sensitive records, maintains the integrity and security of criminal evidence, including the handling of hazardous and bio-hazardous substances in a variety of containers and packaging.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 
  Receives property and evidence, documents receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence areas.
• Prepares evidence for submittal to the District Attorney’s Office, outside law enforcement agencies or labs for analysis; including packaging, securing, and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms, and submitting forms with evidence.
• Coordinates with crime laboratories; determines and justifies which evidence to refer; prepares and transports evidence including weapons, narcotics, and biological specimens for analysis and processing by others.
• Manages digital evidence system, including recordings from body worn cameras, in-car cameras, surveillance footage and photographs; ensures files are properly maintained, processes duplication requests from the District Attorney’s Office and responds to Public Records Act requests.
• Releases and purges property and evidence following appropriate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings.
• Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions.
• Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pick-up; completes the necessary reports and documentation for release.
• Performs difficult, complex, technical and/or specialized administrative work that requires the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and a detailed knowledge of the activities and procedures specific to the Police Department.
• Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, and specialized documents such as property claim letters to citizens, and other correspondence.
• Performs general oversight of the Department's equipment and supply function, to include issuing and receiving equipment and other supplies to Department personnel, making equipment and supply purchases, and maintaining inventory records.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Pacific Grove and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with community members, visitors, and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
• Acts in a lead capacity through cross-training, developing, scheduling, and designating property and evidence-related tasks to secondary assigned staff person; trains department staff on best practices and safety protocols.
• Works in the Police Records Unit as needed and performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent; AND two years of work experience in a law enforcement agency; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge of:

• 
  City policies and procedures.
• Criminal codes, vehicle codes, and municipal codes.
• Policies, rules and regulations governing property and evidence management.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) quality and security standards for police records.
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for handling and disposing of evidence with blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other related body fluid contamination.
• Principles and practices of confidential records management, and file maintenance.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including police records management systems, data tracking, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Procedures for the collection, processing and packaging of evidence.

Skill in:

• Interpreting and explaining standards and protocols for maintenance, analysis, release and disposal of property and evidence.
• Analyzing technical issues, evaluating alternatives, and making recommendations based on findings.
• Proper handling of property and evidence, including firearms and narcotics.
• Explaining Federal and State rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Dealing tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers and members of outside agencies.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Conducting audits and inventories.
• Property and evidence guidelines and procedures.
• Use computers for word processing and information storage and retrieval.
• Organize, research, and maintain technical and administrative files.
• Enter data into a computer system and prepare written materials with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

Licensing and Certification Requirements

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

• A valid California State Driver's License is required.
• Terminal Operator Certification for access to NCIC/CLETS is required within thirty days of employment.
• Ability to complete Property and Evidence Management training through the International Association of Property and Evidence; California Property and Evidence Association; or California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) within eighteen months of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is in a standard office environment and occasionally in the field. Required to handle firearms and narcotics. Exposure to strong unpleasant odors, infectious bio-hazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; toxic substances; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence. Ability to lift and carry moderately heavy and bulky items.

Must be able to pass a law enforcement background investigation. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances.

Must be a full-time employee to be eligible for all benefits listed below. Less than full-time employees may be eligible for pro-rated benefits depending on the bi-weekly hours worked.

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision insurance coverage offered to employees and dependents.
• Life Insurance: $50,000 death benefit
• Supplemental Short Term and Long Term Disability Plans
• Holidays: Paid Holidays and floating holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Voluntary health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• PERS Retirement: Employer/Employee shared contributions.
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Voluntary participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program.

Benefits are subject to change and do not constitute a contract.