Placer County

To plan, organize, direct, and supervise the collection, maintenance, and preservation of evidence; in a non-sworn capacity, to perform field and laboratory photographic and technical evidence work; to maintain criminal identification records and evidence as part of the investigation and prosecution work of the Sheriff's Office; and to provide administrative support to management staff.

The Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for a program area within a work unit or department.

Receives general direction from management staff or sworn administration personnel of the Sheriff's Office.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned Evidence Technician I/II staff.

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for the Evidence Unit; draft for approval and implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the Evidence Unit.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; and prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Supervise field forensic work under the direction of sworn staff; search for and collect physical evidence; photograph and video record crime scenes; make diagrams and log items collected from each location; process and send out blood and urine samples to be analyzed; conduct specialized tasks in photography, latent fingerprint development, and other evidence collection as required.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, materials, and supplies as needed; monitor and control expenditures. Supervise the preparation, identification, analysis, and maintenance of assigned evidence and found property.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide and coordinate staff training; recommend discipline.
• Identify and preserve evidence; make evidence available for viewing and courtroom presentations; book property into and out of evidence to preserve the chain of evidence; maintain evidence rooms and storage areas in an organized and orderly fashion; maintain detailed filing systems and records on all booked property; destroy and release property; inventory monies and narcotics; generate reports and assist other members of the Sheriff's Office with investigations as required.
• Classify and identify fingerprints; assist in identification matters with Federal, State, and local authorities; prepare fingerprint displays for court; compare latent fingerprints to known and unknown suspects and victims; maintain and use files and computer systems to identify suspects; maintain and operate equipment for processing of fingerprints.
• Take official and personnel photographs for the purpose of identification and evidence; take photographs relating to evidence in support of criminal investigations in the field, at autopsies and in-house; enlarge crime scene photographs to be utilized as courtroom exhibits; maintain files of photographs.
• Cooperate and work closely with other law enforcement agencies in identification matters as required.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Instruct and assist officers in the proper use of photographic and fingerprint equipment.
• Prepare various written reports as necessary.
• Provide testimony in court as directed.
• Provide adequate staff coverage/availability outside of normal business hours, as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible evidence collection experience with at least three (3) years of experience performing duties similar to an Evidence Technician II with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• Must successfully complete the Property Management course within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must have satisfactorily completed Basic and Advanced Field Evidence Technician course. 
• Must have satisfactorily completed the Latent Print Comparisons course.
• Must have satisfactorily completed the Latent Print Techniques course.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of evidence collection, analysis, and management, in addition to advanced criminal identification techniques emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Modern methods, practices, and techniques of law enforcement work including knowledge of criminal investigation and crime scene analysis.
• Use of various electronic video equipment.
• Standard fingerprint classification methods, practices, records, and equipment.
• Photography and printing digital photographs.
• Mandates governing safety standards of handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous and carcinogenic materials.
• Principles and practices of work safety, including the handling of urine and blood samples.
• Law enforcement report preparation.
• Principles of budget monitoring.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; analyze crime scenes; develop evidence to be processed; understand and recall the principles of evidence collection and analysis; identify, interpret, explain, and enforce evidentiary and other law enforcement procedures; observe while in the field; review and interpret case reports; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On an intermittent basis sit at a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods of time; push, pull, grasp, bend, twist, squat, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, crouch, and crawl to access office and field work equipment and to perform field duties; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; occasionally lift heavy weight.
• Organize, implement, and direct the Evidence Unit operations and activities.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Perform a variety of evidentiary collection methods and analyses, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting, including the performance of latent fingerprint comparisons and analysis; printing and enlarging photographs for courtroom presentation; and more sophisticated field forensics.
• Adapt, understand, and apply emerging technologies with evidence collection and analysis.
• Operate equipment and materials used in photographic and fingerprint work and take photographs. 
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operation.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Lift latent fingerprints and classify fingerprints accurately.
• Interpret and apply a variety of regulations and procedures dealing with criminal investigations.
• Maintain detailed records relating to evidence.
• Prepare and monitor a routine budget.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work odd or unusual hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime.
• Work in close proximity to human remains in various stages of decomposition, which may include odors, biological/chemical agents, and communicable disease.
• Perform job duties effectively under pressure.