Evidence Custodian

Description

Performs intermediate technical work processing and maintaining chain of custody for evidence and found property, entering items into the RMS property module, transporting and disposing of evidence, conducting inventories and audits, testifying in court, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Administrative Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintains the evidence room in an orderly condition.
• Testifies in court regarding evidence handling and chain of custody.
• Transports evidence and found property for testing or processing and ensures custody and disposition comply with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Maintains packaging supplies and forms. 
• Research case numbers and dispositions to determine ownership and whether items are eligible for return or disposal.
• Attends required job-related training.
• Enters all new property and evidence submitted by officers into the RMS, ensures each item is recorded accurately, transfers items to the property module, and barcodes them.
• Conducts assigned inventories and audits of designated areas within Property and Evidence.
• Retrieves and releases evidence and property to officers, prosecuting attorneys, government agencies, and the public in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as directed or assigned.
• Promotes and demonstrates organizational culture, core values, and leadership philosophies consistent with, or complementary to, Town administration.
• Adheres to policies and procedures established by the Town.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and moderate experience in property and evidence management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification in Property and Evidence Management through the North Carolina Justice Academy upon hire.
• Certification as a Property and Evidence Specialist through the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE) or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of law enforcement methods, practices, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of law enforcement investigative principles and techniques of identification.
• Thorough knowledge of evidence and laws of search and seizure.
• Thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department.
• General knowledge of the geography of the Town and location of important buildings.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear comprehensive reports.
• Ability to deal courteously, firmly and tactfully with the public.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances. Ability to perform work during emergency or disaster situations upon request and as assigned by management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, state and federal officials, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions, frequently requires a high degree of manual dexterity by standing, sitting, and lifting up to 60 pounds, and occasionally requires walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, and pushing or pulling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception; 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, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm's length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment, and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic).

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.