Evidence/Property Room Clerk

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for accurately documenting and carefully maintaining the security and control of all collected evidence, ensuring the integrity of the evidence. This position requires working a combination of indoors and outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions.  It also requires the potential to exposure to various biological, chemical, and physical hazards, ergonomic risks, psychological stress, and environmental hazards.  

ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULE:

The successful applicant should be prepared to work four, 10-hour workdays, with either Monday or Friday off. The day off is determined by the Evidence/Property Room Clerk's supervisor. The expected shift is 7:30AM - 5:30PM. Occasional overtime may be required, as determined by Unit leadership.

The following duties will be performed at least 80% of the time during the course of the normal workday:  

• Receive, catalog, secure, distribute, and dispose of as appropriate criminal evidence, impounded, lost, or abandoned property in accordance with Florida State Statutes. Release evidence for court. Process requests to view evidence.

• Maintain records and chain of custody of evidence/property by logging and updating all evidence/property in computer system.

• Process requests for laboratory tests.

• Deliver or send evidence to outside crime labs for processing, and receives evidence back from testing, correctly logging in and out information in the computer

• Research case status to affect release, destruction, donation or sale of property no longer needed for evidentiary purposes, and document such disposals

• Professionally interact with internal and external customers in-person, by email, or by telephone to provide information regarding impounded property and evidence procedures.  Must be able to notify owners and release found property.

Maintain a level of confidentiality regarding criminal history information as well as safeguarding case history and evidence details, ensuring confidentiality in compliance with agency policies and legal standards.

• Secure weapons submitted for evidence/property utilizing safe handling methods.

• Catalog and handle bicycles with the ability to locate serial numbers and be able to input into computer system.

• Maintains the integrity of evidence by complying with evidence handling, marking, custody and case file documentation as required by agency policy.

• Prepares administrative documents, statistical reports, etc.

• Photocopies and faxes administrative reports and documents.

• Must present clear, accurate and truthful testimony in a professional manner regarding chain-of-custody.

• Participate in training, specialized education or courses pertaining to new and improved methods for the position.

• Requires regular and predictable attendance in accordance with agency hours/requirements to include arriving on time for work, limit breaks and lunches to the allotted time. Uses leave in accordance with General Orders, communicates and cooperates with management in providing proper notice of leave.

• Perform other duties as necessary to support the Evidence Section.

• High school diploma or GED.

• Ability to pass a thorough criminal background screening.

• Prefer experience with Windows computing environment.

• Must have or be able to obtain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

• Work in a safety-conscious environment and follow/promote good safety practice.

• Function independently, exercise good judgment, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, in person, by telephone, and by email.

• Properly interpret, understand and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, law enforcement officers, judges, attorneys, representatives of outside agencies, co-workers, other county employees and officials, and the general public.

• Skill in preparing forms and reports using prescribed formats and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation.

• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form: to make independent judgments: to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

• Maintain confidentiality of information encountered in work activities at all times.

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analysis to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress when presented with tight deadline. Avoids violent behavior and any other type of behavior that could threaten the safety of other employees or the public.

• Equipment: Requires the ability to use personal computer, keyboard, telephone, and external devices used in coordination with federal databases. Requires the ability to use a variety of other office equipment such as fax, copier, scanner, and external computer drives.  Also may require the use of hand tools, safety, and personal protective equipment as necessary. 

• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of records, reports, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals, etc. Requires the ability to read, interpret, and develop policy and procedure. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction, and punctuation. Requires the ability to communicate effectively in standard English, and in the various professional languages of the Sheriff Office, as such relates to personnel functions.

• Verbal: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical and scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to make independent judgments; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Requires the application of moderate to long range planning principles and techniques. Requires the application of principles of influence systems and synthesis functions. Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.

• Math: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, use decimals and determine percentages; interpret graphs.

• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with frequent deadlines. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy in frequent contact with various professionals, Sheriff’s Office personnel, and the general public.

• Physical Abilities: These physical abilities are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described duties of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, grasp or feel; reach with hands and arms; push and pull, and talk, hear and smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crawl or crouch, as well as bend at waist. Employee in this position may encounter prolonged sitting and/or standing. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. This position may require working with a diverse group of individuals. Employee in this position may encounter stressful situations and frequent interruptions. The work environment is that of an office setting and may also require travel to off-site locations. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Conclusion: 

The job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. But, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $20 - $25