Civilian Evidence Technician

Company: Cascade County
Location: Great Falls
Posted on: November 21, 2022

Job Description:

Submit all application materials to:
*Cascade County Human Resources Department *
*325 2nd Ave N #108 Great Falls, MT 59401*

Applications available at the Human Resources Department, www.cascadecountymt.gov or Job Service.

Position: *Civilian Evidence Technician *

Salary: *$19.50 per hour *

Schedule: *Full-time with Benefits*

Closing Date: *Open Until Filled *

Department: *Cascade County Sheriff's Office *

Administrator: *Sheriff Slaughter*

*Application Requirements: *

* A completed Cascade County Employment Application.
* Complete and notarized supplemental documentation with PREA Signature sheet.
* Copy of a photo ID.
* Copy of Diploma, GED or HSE.
* A detailed Resume.

*Please note, all portions of the hiring process, up to and including the Application itself, are subject to evaluation and scoring for ranking and selection of potential employees.*

Education/ Experience/ Training:

* High School Diploma, HSE or GED and two (2) years of general office experience required.
* A minimum of one (1) year experience in warehousing, inventory control, or an appropriately related field, preferably in a law enforcement and/or a high security setting/environment.
* A minimum of one (1) year experience in crime scene processing, including such activities as collecting, packaging, securing and taking custody of evidence, submitting evidence collected for storage and processing and photographing/videotaping crime scenes, preferred.

Certifications:

* Valid Montana driver's license or be able to obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire.

*Job Summary*

The Civilian Evidence Technician (Technician) at the Cascade County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) 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, Cascade County and CCSO policies, procedures and standards. The Technician will provide assistance in crime scene evidence collection and processing and is subject to call-out and response to major crime scenes to assist with crime scene investigations as needed. The Technician must strictly adhere to and comply with the methods, procedures and state statutes concerning evidence preservation, inventory control, chain of custody, release, auction and destruction and forensic practices of evidence preservation, handling of firearms and the Montana Rules of Criminal Procedure and Montana Court System. The Technician will perform other duties as assigned or required.

*Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities *
Provides for the maintenance, safety, and day-to-day operational needs of the CCSO Property Room; Receives, reviews, sorts, catalogs, inventories, marks, documents, and securely stores submitted property and evidence (including, but not limited to weapons, bodily fluids, narcotics, volatile chemicals, currency, 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 CCSO policies; Provides technical guidance and training to CCSO 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 CCSO 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 and prepares the transport of evidence to crime labs for analysis and coordinates the return of 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 and assembles and organizes data and prepares necessary reports; Remains up-to-date on federal, state and local laws related to property/evidence handling, storage and disposal and recommends appropriate changes; Attends and successfully completes all training/educational schools, workshops, seminars, conferences, classes, sessions and meetings as assigned to keep updated and current on assigned areas of CCSO responsibility and successfully completes/passes all required testing, certifications and projects; Maintains strict confidentiality of confidential and sensitive information; Operates and maintains knowledge of property management software and information systems and other software associated with CCSO Property Room management to include all standard operating procedures; Subject to call-out and response to major crime scenes to provide assistance with crime scene investigations, evidence collecting and processing as needed; May be subject to call-back, including weekends and holidays, to address unexpected or immediate issues related to CCSO Property Room operations or major crime scenes; Perform other duties as required or assigned.

_*Know ledge and understanding of: *_
The responsibilities and functions of the CCSO; General administrative and clerical processes and procedures; File and records management; Basic legal procedures and terminology; Basic understanding of laws, legal codes, court procedures, government regulations and agency rules in relation to the CCSO property and evidence program and operation; CCSO/County privacy and security rules, policies and procedures; CCSO/County safety rules, policies and procedures; Microsoft Office software including, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, internet and other computer software and applications related to the Technician position and duties.

_*Skills in: *_
Typing, filing, data entry, advanced computer and organizational skills, use of office machines, word processing;
Written and verbal communication; Time management and organization; Managing multiple priorities; Problem solving and critical thinking; Accuracy and attention to detail; Public relations and customer service; Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; Processing detailed reports.

_*Ability to: *_
Work with management, co-workers, multiple agencies and organizations in a professional, effective and respectful manner; Use analytical skills to find solutions to professional, technical, and administrative problems; Demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to each section, division and the Office in handling materials and information of a confidential nature; Meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; Prepare professional, accurate and reliable reports containing findings, recommendations and technical documentation; Organize tasks, evaluate resources and work environment to maximize efficiency; Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions; Proficiently operate a computer to complete required job duties; Quickly learn and implement new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology; Identify, analyze and address problems and trends in a timely, efficient and equitable manner; Maintain a high level of confidentiality while working with confidential and sensitive information; Coordinate, analyze and utilize a variety of reports and records; Employ and enforce safety practices and procedures; Respond promptly to requests for service and assistance from the public and various office personnel; Demonstrate punctuality and observe work hours; Work collaboratively with management and co-workers; Observe established lines of authority; Manage and complete multiple tasks under fixed time lines; Follow verbal and written instructions;
Read, analyze and comprehend materials; Identify problems that adversely affect the organization and its functions and offer positive suggestions for improvements; Interact with the public or other employees in a professional, respectful and courteous manner; Work with individuals of varying and diverse backgrounds in a professional, respectful and courteous manner; Adapt to changes in the work environment and deal with frequent change, interruptions, delays and/or unexpected events; Accept responsibility and be self-motivated; Perform other duties as required or assigned.

_*Sheriff's Office Employment Statement: *_
Any individual with a felony conviction, a domestic violence conviction or outstanding warrants is ineligible for consideration for employment by the CCSO.

The successful applicant shall serve a 6-month probationary period and will have a criminal background check conducted. The results thereof may disqualify the applicant from consideration for employment with the County.

Notice to Applicants *: * Applicants who are claiming Veteran's or Handicap Preference must provide a DD-214 Discharge Document (Part 4) or DPHHS Handicap Certification and Employment Preference Form with their application for employment so Cascade County may apply the preference during the selection process.

Cascade County makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with the applicant's ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or an employee's ability to perform the essential duties of the job. For Cascade County to consider such arrangements, the applicants must make known any needed accommodations.

*CASCADE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER*

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.50 per hour

Benefits:
* 401(k)
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
Schedule:
* 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:
* Great Falls, MT 59401: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:
* Driver's License (Preferred)

Security clearance:
* Confidential (Preferred)

Work Location: One location%58047475%

Keywords: Cascade County, Great Falls , Civilian Evidence Technician, Professions , Great Falls, Montana