Investigative & Evidence Technician

The City of Coon Rapids employs a great team of people dedicated and service centered! Our mission revolves around the understanding that only together, can we provide outstanding leadership and services that strengthen our community. Serving our Citizens and local businesses is essential in our work. Our vision is to strengthen our community with a respectful, collaborative, and innovative employee culture that values employee growth, personal balance, and contagious enthusiasm. Our core values include dedication to essentials such as trust, teamwork, innovation and commitment to excellence! No doubt we have something great here!

The City of Coon Rapids is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. The City welcomes, and encourages any qualified applicant to apply regardless of race (including traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, creed, religion, familial status, sex (including pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, marital status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors or any other basis protected by law.

Essential duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Receive, inventory, catalog, store, and safeguard all classifications of property and evidence.
• Maintain property, integrity, and chain of possession.
• Initiate inventory control mechanisms to facilitate accurate records of storage and retention.
• Confirm entry of evidence as required into other networks and/or systems.
• Coordinate the department’s response to court orders relating to physical evidence and property and provide court trial testimony regarding the chain of custody.
• Participate in regular audits and inventories.
• Provide inventory and retention records for the appropriate and timely reduction of inventory with the assistance of the department and other governmental bodies.
• Determine appropriate method of disposal for all types of property/evidence in accordance with laws and best practices.
• Prepare property for return to owners.
• Prepare property for auction and coordinate sale of items.
• Assists with Property and Evidence Technician duties, working with investigations and county and city attorneys to process and disseminate evidentiary requests.
• Prepares and distributes legal documents for court, city, and county attorneys and other law enforcement agencies as requested.
• Accesses state criminal justice data systems to perform background checks, verify hot file information, and modify or delete agency entries.
• Provides support to all members of the police department, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Answer questions from law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, BCA, and citizens.
• Perform or coordinate follow-up details at their request.
• Assist Investigators working on active investigations to keep known victims apprised of the status of their case and coordinate with the victim witness specialist as needed.
• Provide clerical and administrative support, including obtaining video and digital evidence records from various sources, preparing forms, submitting case information to Ic3, and preparing submissions to the MN Crime Alert Network, as needed.
• Initiates the use of LEADS online (pawn search software) to search for property pertinent to Coon Rapids Police Department cases.
• Submitting file requests and assembling/clerical organization of potential employees’ backgrounds.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance during scheduled work hours and outside regular hours, as necessary.
• Maintains positive professional working relationships with all staff levels, other jurisdictions, outside agencies, and the public.
• Performs essential duties and responsibilities under the working conditions and physical demands described herein.
• Provides effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
• Performs other related functions as apparent or delegated.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of evidence and data collection.
• Methods and techniques of conflict resolution.
• Criminal justice system, NCIC, and court procedures.
• MN Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13).
• Record keeping and file maintenance systems.
• Principles of report preparation.

Ability to:

• Promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department and exhibit a positive attitude.
• Comprehend directions set forth in State Statutes and City Ordinances.
• Work cooperatively with residents, all levels of the police department, and the general public.
• Work independently under pressure with a high degree of self-direction and effective time management to competently handle several different tasks under pressure.
• Understand policy and management implications of program issues and make recommendations.
• Perform duties with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Be detail-oriented and follow through with tasks.
• Maintain a team and service-oriented approach to work.
• Must have the ability to accept constructive criticism or discipline in a positive manner, initiating self-development to improve job performance.
• Maintain and foster a work environment that supports the city's mission and values with a respectful, collaborative, and innovative employee culture that values employee growth, personal balance, and contagious enthusiasm.

o Service - We value outstanding service. Our city deserves the best.
o Trust - Trust means everything. Be accountable. Be transparent.
o Teamwork - Teamwork allows us to accomplish more. We tackle challenges and celebrate successes together.
o Innovation - Innovation is vital for our future. We are not afraid of new ideas.
o Excellence - It's the expectation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

• Associate’s degree in Communications, Law Enforcement, Crime Analyst, Public Administration or related field.
• Three years’ experience in a criminal justice organization or related field.
• One year’s experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word and Excel).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and courteously with the public.
• Valid driver's license with good driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Tri-tech, Accurint Crime Analysis, or similar software.
• Experience with government databases, such as DVS, eCharging, eFiling, Portals, IC3, Statewide Supervision, MGA, E-trace, Crime Alert Network (Send Word Now).
• Records and evidence management platforms including Axon (evidence.com) Tyler Tech and/or Central Square RMS/CAD.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

EQUIPMENT/JOB LOCATION:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Duties performed will include the use of office supplies and equipment. Exposure to computer monitors in the office is typical. This position works closely with others. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must know and practice the city’s mission, vision, and values.
• Must make workplace safety the top priority.
• Must contribute positively to a productive, inclusive, and respectful work environment.