Evidence Technician

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Evidence Technician performs a variety of tasks associated with the collecting, receiving, tracking, handling, processing, storage, safekeeping and proper disposal of all evidence and property for the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Receives, sorts and secures all property and evidence; Preserves, examines and secures evidence; documents all handling of evidence and property; maintains activity logs and generates reports as needed

• Responds to major crime scenes; Locates, collects, preserves and documents physical evidence present at crime scenes, and search warrants.

• Assists deputies with packaging and documentation of property/evidence as needed

• Responds to inquiries and requests from department personnel, criminal justice agencies, County/District Attorneys, Prosecutors, and the public in regards to property and evidence

• Releases items to authorized parties within scope of authority and documents return of evidence to custody

• Tracks and catalogues body camera, in-car camera, and other deputy video and audio recordings

• Researches and retrieves requested physical and digital evidence for court, open records, and law enforcement requests

• Assists with criminal investigations when needed.

• Completes detailed supplemental offense reports, crime scene logs and other required documentation.

• Uses computer terminals to access databases to identify subjects and verify stolen property and weapons

• Maintains a working knowledge of current and past Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Penal Code as it pertains to evidence retention and storage

• Conducts research of cases for disposition and prepares items for destruction, auction, or conversion to department in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations

• Conducts inventories/audits in accordance with Sheriff Office Department Policies and Procedures

• Transports property and evidence to courts, crime labs, and from crime scenes

• Maintains adequate inventory of evidence-related equipment and supplies

• Provides standard uniform components, equipment, weapons and other supplies to deputies as needed.

• Attends training and seminars in order to continue education as it pertains to new techniques, laws, and best practices for locating, collecting, preserving and disposing of all types of digital and physical evidence

• Handles a variety of hazardous items, including weapons, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, body fluids, flammable materials and unsanitary materials.

• Provides testimony in court regarding chain of custody and crime scene processing and documentation.

• Performs other minor administrative tasks as assigned

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the positionEDUCATION:Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:Required:

• Current and valid TX driver's license and a safe driving record

• Must be twenty-one years of age on /or before date of hire

• Must maintain personal loyalty to the Sheriff

• 2 years' work experience in a law enforcement capacity

• General skill in operating standard office equipment such as personal computers, calculators, and telephones

• Maintains good interpersonal relations (the manner in which the employee responds emotionally and verbally) with the public, other employees, and supervisors

• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, Outlook

• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• General knowledge of legal and criminal justice systems

• Must have the ability to retain detailed information, as well as take notes on how procedures are done

• Keen attention to detail; careful and accurate data entry

• Must be able to work well within a team environment and high stress situations

• Must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal history and background check

• Must be able to maintain regular attendance and timeliness

• Must maintain confidentiality as it relates to the job function

Preferred:

• TCIC/TLETS Certification or the ability to obtain within 6 months from the date of hire.

• 1 year experience relating to property and evidence or crime scene processing

• Working knowledge of Federal/State laws regarding physical, digital, and biological evidence

• Property/Evidence certification, or the ability to obtain within 1 year of hire

• Forensic Investigator or Crime Scene Investigator certification, or the ability to obtain within 2 years of hire

DISCLAIMER: McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past ten years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Disqualifiers:

• Undesirable character or reputation

• A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States

• Conviction, including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years

• Arrested for DWI or DUI in the past ten (10) years

• Currently under indictment for any criminal offense

• Sold or manufactured any illegal drugs

• Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offense

• A dishonorable discharge from any military service/armed forces of the United States

All Employees

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community

• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large

• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

Work is primarily indoors in an air-condition environment with contact with the law enforcement personnel, the public, persons accused or convicted of crimes; occasionally exposed to extreme weather conditions. Significant exposure to crime scenes and graphic evidence; additional exposure to hazards including bio-hazards such as body fluids, dust chemicals, ammunition, flammables, narcotics and guns.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• The employee is frequently required to talk or hear, walk, sit, stand, use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, and bend.

• The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, squat, stoop climb, and lift, push, pull or drag objects weighting over 30 lbs.

• Position involves safely operating a motor vehicle

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Works regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm)  but is expected to serve in a rotational on-call schedule that requires flexibility to possibly work evenings and weekend hours.