Evidence Technician - II

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Evidence Technician I and Evidence Technician II. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment:

Evidence Technician I #2021-16401-01

Evidence Technician II #2021-16403-01

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department. Click here to view General benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform a variety of tasks associated with the collection, maintenance and preservation of evidence; in a non-sworn technical capacity, to perform field and laboratory photographic and technical evidence work; and to maintain criminal identification records and evidence as part of the investigation and prosecution work of the Sheriff's Office.

This is the full journey level class within the Evidence Technician series.  This class is distinguished from the Evidence Technician I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee the preparation, identification and maintenance of assigned evidence and found property.
• Perform 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.
• 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 in order 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.
• Requisition materials and supplies as necessary; monitor budget of Unit; assist supervisory personnel and other staff in identifying future budgetary needs.
• 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.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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: Two years of responsible evidence collection and preparation experience performing duties similar to an Evidence Technician I with Placer County.

Training: Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.  Additional specialized training in evidence collection, law enforcement or a related field is desirable.

License or Certificate: 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:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and operations.
• Basic police reports.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of evidence collection, analysis and management, in addition to advanced criminal identification techniques emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
• 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 the various methods of printing, developing and enlarging negatives to pictures.
• Principles and practices of work safety, including the handling of urine and blood samples.
• Basic law enforcement report preparation.
• Basic record keeping and budgeting techniques.

Ability to:

• Learn modern criminal identification techniques, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
• On a continuous basis, analyze crime scenes; develop evidence to be processed; identify, interpret, explain and enforce evidentiary and other law enforcement procedures; review and interpret case reports; and maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On an intermittent basis, walk, stand, climb, kneel and bend while inspecting crime scenes; write or use a keyboard to communicate; and occasionally lift heavy weight.
• Learn to take photographs with some degree of sophistication.
• Learn to perform fingerprint comparisons and analyses.
• Learn to perform more sophisticated field forensics.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules if necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Perform a variety of evidentiary collection methods and analyses, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting, including the performance of latent fingerprint comparisons and analysis; elementary laboratory developing, printing and enlarging of photographs for courtroom presentation; and more sophisticated field forensics.
• Operate equipment and materials used in photographic and fingerprint work and take photographs with some degree of sophistication.
• 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 under pressure.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at payala@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.