Evidence Custodian

CITY OF KALISPELL

JOB DESCRIPTION

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Class Title: Evidence Custodian

Department: Police

Division: Detectives

Union: AFSCME

Salary: $19.19 hr.

Benefits: 100% paid health insurance for employee & reduced rates for dependents, State retirement plan, 3-weeks’ vacation, paid sick leave, 10 State and Federal holidays. This position may be participating in a *VEBA program.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Date: July 1, 2022

A. GENERAL PURPOSE:

Is accountable for preserving the chain of custody and security of evidential property and safe keeping items received from law enforcement personnel. Receives, collects, logs, stores, inventories, issues, and assists in the release or disposal of adjudicated property/evidence. Releases documents and issues evidence for the purpose of performing laboratory tests or providing testimony in court. Performs related duties as assigned.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (75%):

Evidence and Property:

a. Performs general clerical duties including assisting the public and other employees.

b. Ensures all evidence and property is properly received, handled, packaged, marked, documented, stored, tracked, and disposed of in compliance with department policy, City ordinance, and State law.

c. Verify Notice to Claim Property procedures are followed.

d. Safeguard the integrity of all evidence, including maintaining an accurate chain of custody.

e. Help coordinate time-sensitive processes related to viewing and releasing evidence.

f. Handles monies submitted to the evidence room and may be responsible to make deposits with Finance Department.

g. Verify court adjudication status with notifications to District and City Attorney’s Office along with notice to Case Managers.

h. Go through evidence/property to Purge, submit letter to City/County Attorney to obtain destruction order.

i. Determine which evidence/property can be returned to owners, destroyed, donated, or sold at auction.

j. Transport items to be purged to the appropriate disposal facilities.

k. Participate in the inventory process of all stored evidence.

l. Maintain numeric DVD/CD files for all booking videos, interview videos, audio CD’s and photo CD’s.

m. Keep evidence rooms clean, organized, and orderly.

n. Respond to call outs as needed to receive property and evidence.

o. Enforce and instruct law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and others on procedures of evidential property control.

p. Work with Detectives/Victims in cases involving restitution amounts for recovered property.

q. Provide evidence for trials as requested by Judge, Attorneys, or Officers.

r. Testify in court as required.

s. Transport or mail property and evidence to various labs as needed (Crime Lab).

t. Receive lab reports, scan reports, and distribute as necessary.

u. Release evidence/property as per department protocol or as requested by City/County Attorney or Officers.

v. Utilize records management systems to document property and evidence storage and the chain of custody.

w. Read, comprehend, and interpret complex written materials such as statues, rules of criminal procedure, etc.

x. Maintain Safekeeping and Lost and Found property by departmental protocol.

y. Respond to local pawn shops and take custody of pawned and stolen property held on administrative warrants.

z. Process stolen bicycles and transport to storage. Contact possible victims, release bicycles to owners or donate bicycles as per city policy.

aa. Apply active listening techniques in order to obtain complete and accurate information.

bb. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

cc. Exercise good judgment in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information.

dd. Perform basic crisis management techniques required to effectively manage emergencies.

ee. Organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks to complete job functions in an orderly and efficient manner within stringent deadlines.

ff. Develop short- and long-range plans for evidence collection and storage.

gg. Maintain supply list and order evidence supplies.

C. DISCOVERY (15%):

a. Receive discovery requests, review case reports, and determine discoverable items.

b. Make copies of booking videos, interview videos, surveillance videos, audio cd’s, photographs, etc.

c. Locate necessary paperwork; scan or make copies.

d. Distribute discovery items to the City/County Attorney offices.

e. Receive Court ordered discovery requests, providing such items to private attorneys.

f. Check to confirm we have booking videos for each arrest made the previous day.

g. Check recording log for interviews to be burned.

h. Burn DVD’s/flash drives of interviews or booking videos, as needed, from hard drives.

D. ADDITIONAL DUTIES (10%):

a. Perform duties as assigned.

b. Perform duties as to support the Department.

E. SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the training and direction of the Detective Sergeant, Investigations Captain, and Chief of Police.

F. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

G. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Education and Experience):

a. Graduation from a high school or GED equivalent.

b. Two (2) years of increasingly responsible related experience in law enforcement, or any equivalent combination of related education and experience.

c. Must have proficient spelling, grammar, and punctuation required to produce written documents.

d. Must be able to bend, stretch, stoop, reach, and climb stairs or ladders.

e. Must be able to work in disagreeable elements such as heat, cold, fumes, dust, unpleasant odors, and stress because of human behavior.

f. Must possess a valid Montana driver’s license or ability to obtain upon hire.

g. Must be able to pass a law enforcement background investigation.

h. Must be able to pass and maintain CJIN certification.

I. Must possess good organizational skills.

H. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

a. Knowledge of computers, related software programs and electronic data processing.

b. Knowledge of or ability to learn and operate related software programs associated with law enforcement.

c. Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures; some knowledge of accounting principles and practices.

d. Knowledge or ability to learn geography of city.

e. Skilled in customer service techniques as applied in person, by telephone and via written and electronic correspondence.

f. Skilled in coordinating flow of information and communication between staff.

g. Skilled in excellent verbal and written communications.

h. Skilled in operating tools and equipment within an office environment, including, but not limited to: computers and related Microsoft and Records Management software.

i. Ability to effectively manage time and work to meet deadlines.

j. Ability to speak, comprehend English language, using proper grammar and punctuation.

k. Ability to perform basic arithmetic and mathematical calculations.

l. Ability to think clearly and act quickly in emergency situations, then initiate appropriate actions.

m. Ability to be public service oriented with tactful and effective conflict resolution skills.

n. Ability to perform work requiring good hearing, good dictation, and a clear voice.

o. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with other city departments, public agencies, and the public.

p. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

q. Ability to understand and complete complex oral and written instructions.

r. Ability to have a creative, inquiring, and innovative manner willing to explore new approaches, implement new methods, and be receptive to suggestions of others.

s. Ability to review, analyze and interpret data.

I. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

a. No felony convictions.

b. Note: A comprehensive background check will be conducted prior to hiring.

c. Basic principles of proper evidence collection, storage, preservation, and disposal.

d. Understand current laws and rules regarding police property and evidence, including chain of custody procedures.

e. Work independently with minimal supervision.

f. Exercise good judgement in the safeguarding of confidential or sensitive information.

g. Work within stringent deadlines to complete assignments within a designated time.

h. Testify in court as needed.

i. Attend and successfully complete job-related trainings.

J. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Computers; including word processing and law enforcement software; copy machine; fax machine, ten-key; two-way radio and recording equipment. Evidence collection materials, cameras, various hand tools, generators, lighting equipment, metal detectors, and recording devices.

K. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

a. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

b. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb, see, talk, or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

c. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

L. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

a. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

b. The noise level in the work environment can vary. Working conditions will typically be in an office setting, however field work is also required. Field conditions include inclement weather and hazardous places due to recognized evidence collection practices.

M. SELECTION GUIDELINES:

a. Formal application analyzed rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; other job-related tests may be required.

b. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

c. Kalispell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

d. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Shift work as assigned:

Hours worked will typically be during a conventional daytime schedule, however there is an on-call component to this position which means the possibility of working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

*VEBA (Voluntary Employee Benefit Association) is a tax-exempt health reimbursement account used by employees and their eligible dependent to pay for eligible medical expenses. The plan is funded by an employee’s sick and/or vacation banked hours upon leaving City employment.

Posting Date: July 8, 2022

Closing Date: July 28, 2022

NOTICE

ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.

A CITY APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:

· The Human Resources Department with the City of Kalispell, 201 1st Ave E, Kalispell, MT (406)758-7774

· The Kalispell Job Service, 427 1st Ave E, Kalispell MT 59901, (406)758-6200 or

· Online at the City of Kalispell website at: www.kalispell.com

Approval: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________

Department Head/Supervisor

Approved: __________________________________ Date: ____________________________

Human Resources Director

Approval: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________

City Manager/Hiring Authority

Revised: 7/5/22

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.19 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: One location