Evidence Technician, Sheriff's Office

Salary

Hiring Rate: $24.12/hour, Grade 13, Non-Exempt, Teamsters - General Unit

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Hiring Range: $24.12-$35.41/hour

Position Objective
To provide a safe, secure and orderly property room within the Sheriff's Office. This position is responsible for receiving, recording, processing, preserving and returning or disposing of property and evidence taken into custody by Deputies and Department personnel in accordance with applicable statutes and policies in order to maintain the integrity of the evidence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Is trained, certified, and conducts forensic downloads of evidence collected for investigations by utilizing Cellebrite and other forensic tools.
2. Is trained, certified, and conducts forensic downloads of computers, gaming systems, and any other computer related device that can store electronic data using various forensic tool kits.
3. Maintains all equipment, hardware, software related to any electronic forensic download capabilities.
4. Oversees the backing up and preservation of data.
5. Fulfills data requests and accurately redacts protected data from video systems, including squad cameras, body cameras, and facility cameras.
6. Enters the field to extract video surveillance images from sources like home video surveillance, business security systems, and other video services in order to further a criminal investigation.
7. Monitors BCA lab reports and forwards updated reports to investigating officers.
8. Collects forensic evidence at crime scenes including fingerprints, photography, biological evidence, and other microscopic evidence.
9. Conducts audits of the property room as directed and periodic inventories of property related to specific deputies.
10. Assists deputies on search warrants and crime scenes by collecting, receipting, and logging evidence.
11. Enters and records evidence items into various tracking and records management systems.
12. Files and copies documents, records, order supplies and works with the various prosecutors' offices for evidence viewing, disclosure and evidence preparation for court.
13. Provides testimony in court as necessary regarding the integrity and proper storage, preservations and transportation of evidence.
14. Transports or arranges delivery of evidence to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at the St. Cloud Police Department or St. Paul, Minnesota.
15. Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
16. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• One year of post-secondary education and two years of progressively related experience in a criminal justice related position, to include clerical/administrative support position, OR four years of progressively related experience in a criminal justice related position, to include clerical/administrative support position
• Valid MN Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite systems

Certification or ability to be certified within 6 months of employment in the following areas:

• Cellebrite Certification
• IAPE (International Association for Property and Evidence)

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications:

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies, Forensic Science or related field
• Experience with inventory control, digital forensics, data tracking, records management and physical evidence collection

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Knowledge of best practices in the area of evidence retention and property room management.
2. Knowledge of Office policies, procedures, principles and practices.
3. Ability to develop, implement and maintain a process for the intake and retention of evidence in the property room.
4. Ability to work with Sheriff's Office personnel and personnel from other agencies.
5. Ability to work independently, self-motivate, and resolve challenges.
6. Ability to organize and prioritize work and manage multiple priorities.
7. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees
1. Performs job responsibilities in a manner consistent with the County's vision, mission and values.
2. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.
3. Develops respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
4. Informs immediate supervisor of all important matters pertaining to assigned job responsibilities.
5. Seeks opportunities for further personal growth and development.
6. Represents the County in a professional manner to all internal and external contacts when doing the County's business.
7. Complies with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
This position will be performed approximately 88% of the time indoors and 12% of the time outdoors. It will require a minor amount of travel to off-site locations each week. Will have moderate exposure to health hazards and accidents; requires a moderate level of physical effort. Ability to move up to 50 pounds. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota. Click the following to review the Functional Job Analysis .

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided
Work is performed under the general supervision of the Lieutenant – Investigations.

Responsibility for Public Contact
Frequent.

Hours of Work
This position has a usual work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Early morning, evening and weekend hours may be required.

Interview Date
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on December 16, 2025. Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific physical, drug and/or psychological exam may be required before appointment.

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.