Evidence Specialist

Description

This Required Form must be UPLOADED into your application in the Attachments Section as the HCSO Required Forms when applying for a Sheriff’s Office position LINK

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

Under general supervision the Evidence Specialist supports the Sheriff’s Office by assisting in the evidence room with intake of evidence, evidence documentation, evidence transfers to laboratories, evidence pickups from outlying substations, and evidence dispositions.

Supervision

• The Evidence Specialist is required to satisfactorily perform the above duties and will be evaluated for technical soundness, accuracy, completeness and organization
• The Evidence Specialist is responsible for carrying out assignments as instructed
• The supervisor assigns work and decides the actions to be taken. The Evidence Specialist contacts the supervisor concerning deviations, problems and unfamiliar situations

Guidelines

The Evidence Specialist uses judgment in interpreting and adapting precedents for specific cases or problems and analyses of the results. This position must have a strong work ethic, superior organizational skills, must follow directions, meet deadlines, have good attendance, be punctual, be reliable, be motivated, have initiative, have honesty, have integrity, be free from moral turpitude, and have a proper attitude. Employee must be available to communicate with others at all times.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, collect, document, process, maintain and dispose of evidence in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and/or ordered directive
• Prepare reports and other written documentation as needed
• Provide internal and external customer service
• Communicate and assist law enforcement officials and others regarding evidence status
• Testify in court as a witness as required
• Receives, collects evidence/property, maintain care, custody and control, and release or destroy evidence and any other stored property in accordance with established operating procedures (SOP)
• Develop evidence/property statistics and reports
• Research, locate, and return property to appropriate owner/custodian using established procedures
• Research, update, and modify law enforcement database information appropriately
• Collect, process, preserve, package, store, transport and dispose of hazardous material and bio-hazardous in accordance with established laws and SOP
• Transport evidence and property to authorized storage locations, laboratories, processing plants, and criminal court for trials while maintaining chain of custody
• Assume care, custody, and control of evidence/property in accordance with established rules of evidence and procedures
• Transport, arrange, coordinate, and facilitate the destruction and disposal of evidence/property in accordance with Texas Statutes
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s degree in a natural or forensic science, or related field preferred
• One (1) year in crime scene related activities preferred
• Two to three (2-3) years of work experience in a police evidence room or other law enforcement work preferred.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current Class C Texas Driver’s License