Evidence Custodian/Fingerprint Specialist

Pay Range: $58,832.00 - $97,073.00 Supervisory Organization: DART Police Lieutenant

Country:

United States of America

Address:

2111 S.Corinth Street Road

City:

DALLAS, TX 75203-4301

FLSA:

Exempt

Professionals:

04 - Protective Service (EEO-4-United States of America), 4B - Protective Service - Police - Non sworn (EEO-SubCategory)

General Summary:

Receives, stores, logs, retrieves, transports, releases, and disposes of hazardous and non-hazardous evidence and non-evidential property, while ensuring the security and preserving the chain-of-custody, in accordance with federal and state laws and department procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide for the maintenance, safety, and day-to-day operational needs of the Property Room.
• Receives, reviews, sorts, catalogs, marks, documents, and securely stores submitted property and evidence (including, but not limited to weapons, bodily fluids, narcotics, volatile chemicals, money, large and/or heavy items) in a manner such that the individual items are secure from theft, loss, or contamination, and safeguards the integrity of the chain-of-custody.
• Ensures all evidentiary items, including hazardous materials, are appropriately handled, correctly and adequately packaged, identified, contained, stored, transported, tested, and legally and safely disposed of, according to laws and department policies. Provides technical guidance and training to department personnel regarding the handling, preparing, and booking of evidence and property.
• Evaluates the worth of adjudicated evidence and unclaimed property in preparation for legal disposal and dispersal, and properly disposes of such items.
• Releases evidentiary items to authorized law enforcement personnel and/or to property owners in accordance with laws and department policies.
• Reviews security controls of property storage locations. Conducts needs assessments; updates and implements various guidelines, procedures, and formats required to accommodate legislative changes and/or crime lab procedural changes impacting submission or release of evidence and property.
• Participates in periodic inventories of property/evidence storage locations.
• Responds to subpoenas to bring evidence to court and to testify as needed.
• Organizes, verifies, prepares, and transports evidence to crime labs for analysis, and picks up and returns evidence after analysis is completed, ensuring interim releases and returns are documented.
• Corresponds with various sources, including suspects, victims, attorneys, and law enforcement personnel, regarding evidence and property, to include preparing and sending legally correct notifications to property owners.
• Compiles and maintains various electronic and paper files documenting all property/evidence transfers, releases, and dispositions; assembles and organizes data; and prepares necessary reports.
• Stays up-to-date on federal, state, and local laws related to property/evidence handling, storage, and disposal, and recommends appropriate changes.
• Operate and maintain knowledge of property management software and information systems, and other software associated with Property Room management, to include all standard operating procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the below-stated minimums, excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Criminalistics, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of technical experience in law enforcement support work, handling evidence and/or related work in non-evidence property, according to professional evidence inventory procedures. Certified Police Officer experience preferred.
• Possess a valid Texas drivers license to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.
• Proficiency in PC software applications, include Microsoft Office or other related software applications.
• Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen.
• Analytical skills to find solutions to professional, technical, and administrative problems.
• Knowledge of Texas Rules of Criminal Procedure and Texas Criminal Court System.
• Successful completion of the selection process, including but not limited to polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, and background investigation.
• Must successfully complete Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced certification requirements as set forth by the Texas Association of Professional Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT).
• May be subject to call-back, including weekends and holidays, to address unexpected or immediate issues related to Property Room operations.
• Ability to be able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles. Can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Analytical skills to find solutions to professional, technical, and administrative problems.
• Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services. Acts with customers in mind. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to the section, division, department, and DART in handling materials and information of a confidential nature.
• Ability to make good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. Most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
• Ability to pick up on technical things quickly. Can learn new skills and knowledge. Is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge. Does well in technical courses and seminars.
• Ability to quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. Can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise. Is seen as a team player and is cooperative. Easily gains the trust and support of peers. Encourages collaboration. Can be candid with peers.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis. Looks beyond the obvious and does not stop at the first answer.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Works in an environment where there is exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals, assuming incumbent is observing all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and using all protective clothing and devices provided.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V

Open until qualified applicants are identified.