Evidence Technician

Salary Range 5,166.00 - 6,604.00 Job Summary As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment.

If who we are speaks to you, and if youre the type of person who is interested in joining a team invested in ensuring the safety of our community then the City of Vancouver may be for you.

Were currently recruiting for an Evidence Technician with the Vancouver Police Department. The primary responsibilities for the job are to receive, catalog, process and manage the disposition of property and evidence, while maintaining an accurate chain of custody, which may be required for testimony in court proceedings. Duties are diverse and necessitate independent decision-making skills as well as a thorough understanding of relevant policies, procedures, statutes and laws.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPIEU union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm. Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Receive, catalog, store and maintain evidence, ensuring a secure and precise chain of custody through digital and physical records. Act as the data steward for the evidence management system, verifying the accuracy of electronic property reports and related documents.
• Inspect evidence submissions to ensure proper packaging and compliance with departmental procedures and policies. Exercise caution through adherence to safety protocols when handling potentially hazardous items such as narcotics, sharps or syringes, biohazardous materials, bodily fluids and firearms.
• Prepare, coordinate, and transfer evidence to various crime laboratories, courts and external agencies. Process firearms for shipment in compliance with state laws and shipping carrier policies.
• Serve as a liaison among citizens, courts, prosecution, attorneys and officers to provide information and assistance for evidence-related inquiries. Facilitate requests for evidence viewing in accordance with court proceedings.
• Use decision-making skills to determine case eligibility for disposition, following local, state and federal laws.
• When required, communicate with case officers and prosecutors to facilitate the disposition of evidence.
• Comply with constantly changing state and federal firearms laws. Conduct mental health and criminal history checks to determine citizens' eligibility to possess firearms.
• Prepare and dispose of property and evidence in accordance with processes, procedures and applicable laws. Organize off-site disposition of firearms and narcotics.
• Conduct regular inventories and audits of evidence to ensure accurate accountability. Review inventory records with departmental, city and state auditors as required.
• Provide group and individual training to department personnel on proper collection, packaging, safety protocols, labeling, documentation and submission of evidence.
• Compose accurate, detailed reports documenting evidence submissions and chain of custody to supplement law enforcement investigations. Testify in court during criminal court proceedings.
• Extract data sets from the evidence management system for purposes of analytics, public records requests, and other departmental needs as they arise.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in law enforcement evidence/property handling or inventory control, accounting, records management or related area. Or any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Education:

• Equivalent to a HS Diploma/GED

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Basic Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Intermediate understanding of records management systems

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

Possession of:

• Valid Drivers License

Ability to obtain:

• A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS) Level 1 certification within 6 months of employment

Knowledge

• Monitor and manage warehouse operations and inventory while preserving the integrity of chain of custody and related records
• Safe techniques used in handling all types or evidence including firearms, narcotic, biohazardous and hazardous items
• Interpret and apply laws concerning property, rules of evidence, requirements for evidence, release of information and the various legal opinions written by the City of Vancouver legal advisor
• Courtroom and testimony processes
• Recognize and mitigate safety hazards
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Adhere to warehouse safety protocols.
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouvers Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Always provide a high level of customer service, demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of others
• Effectively navigate and diffuse conflict in challenging situations
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Work independently to prioritize a variety of tasks, requests and projects in a timely manner
• Interpret and apply local, state and federal laws as well as regulations, policies and procedures
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance

• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, Vancouver Police Department comprehensive background investigation, a credit check, a driving abstract and a polygraph examination.

Selection Process:

Application Review : Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their application and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Assessment (Pass/Fail): This recruitment will require an assessment which will be job related and may include, but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.

Oral Interview (Pass/Fail based on 70%): Questions will be job related and may include but not limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Minimum passing score of 70% is required. The oral board will consist of a three to five member interview panel who will ask the same position-related, pre-established written questions of all candidates. The panelists' evaluations will be combined resulting in candidate interview scores. Those passing with a 70% or higher will be placed on an eligibility list.

Final Interview: As positions become available up to the top three candidates from the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a final selection interview.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope youll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call ... or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us

Job Posting End Date May 8, 2025