Evidence Control Specialist

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of relevant experience in warehouse/inventory control.
• Education may substitute for experience up to four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Must be able to obtain Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians Certification ( TAPEIT ) Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must be able to obtain Forklift Operator Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Notes to Applicants

The Evidence Control Specialist position is a position within the Science Department. Evidence Specialist are responsible for the care, custody and control of all evidence and seized property collected by the Austin Police Department. Evidence Specialist collect evidence/property in person and from unmanned evidence submission points around Austin. Each item is inventoried, packaged and properly documented in electronic tracking as well as hand written chains of custody. Specialist are also responsible for the proper storage of items, inventorying of items in long term storage as well at the transfer of custody of items being released for investigative purposes, court or laboratory analysis. Specialist provide court room testimony, response to request for service in the field, photograph property as needed and provide “on call” after hours support on a rotating basis. Evidence Specialist are also responsible for research of found/safekeeping property, providing customer service to internal/external customers in person, by phone and email as well as the final disposition of property including the release to owners, transfer to auction or destruction. The Evidence Section receives approximately 100,000 new items per year and currently maintains approximately one million items in inventory.

City of Austin Application:

A complete and detailed City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications. For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience and education that is relevant to this position. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience and education. Application must include job titles, job duties performed, full or part time status. Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment or computer software used.

A resume must be submitted to be considered for this position, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please verify the employment history dates on your resume exactly match your online application.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

CBI :

Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems ( CJIS ) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions. Please Click here to find more information.

To learn more about working with the City of Austin, click here to watch a short video!

Secondary Employment:

All Forensic Science employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.

• FoSD must review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with FoSD as well as current FoSD employees considering Secondary employment.

Benefits:

Working with the Forensic Science Department provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click here to find more information.

To view the City of Austin Recruitment Video, please click here!
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Days and Hours: Monday - Friday
6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Required weekend and on-call duty on a rotating basis.
Job Close Date 04/10/2025 Type of Posting External Department Police Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 4708 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Austin, TX 78721 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Have you completed a Basic Property/Evidence Technician training course from an accredited training program such as TAPEIT or TEEX or the ability to complete within 6 months of hire?
• Experience working in a law enforcement evidence room, forensic science setting, or commercial warehousing operation.
• Experience working with Versadex Property Management System or other similar evidence management or asset tracking systems.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Verifies packaging or packages of incoming items, including hazardous and bio-hazardous items. Ensures accurate chain of custody and that accurate and current documentation exists in the records management system; provides care, custody, and control of items to ensure its integrity from receipt to final disposition. Annually updates packaging manual and conducts training of sworn personnel in packaging, data entry, and special programs. Maintains, investigates, resolves, and reports on lost/found property and property for safekeeping. Researches, locates, and returns property to appropriate personnel or rightful owners when legally (or by standard operating procedure) authorized to do so, or disposes of property in accordance with legal requirements. Assigns lab numbers and storage locations to evidence or stored property. Performs evidence and inventory control management procedures. Develops evidence statistics and property record spreadsheets as needed. Photographs evidence for police investigators or documentation purposes. Transports evidence in a secure manner from collection points throughout the City to the evidence warehouse. Conducts routine and unplanned evidence transport to and from other law enforcement agencies, multiple judicial jurisdictions, outsourced forensic laboratories, and commercial shipping vendors. Provides internal and external customer service by means of in-person contact, telephone, or email. Answers questions and resolves issues with other City employees, sworn staff, attorneys, and the public in a confidential manner. Responds to after-hours service requests, building security issues, facility operational needs, and other emergency events. Completes warehouse management activities in accordance with City, State, and Federal policies and procedures, industry best practices, and laws that govern evidence or property. Coordinates with Central Records on the expunction of property and records and complies with all other official court orders. Operates City vehicles and warehouse equipment. Testifies in court as a witness. Performs pretrial or on appeal requests for examination of property and evidence by counsel.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of City practices, policies, procedures, statutes, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of fundamental evidence control techniques, procedures, and systems.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Evidence Control Specialist are graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of relevant experience in warehouse/inventory control. Education may substitute for experience up to four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires the ability to obtain a Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians Certification (TAPEIT) Certification within six (6) months of hire. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires the ability to obtain a Forklift Operator Certification within six (6) months of hire. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Have you successfully completed a Basic Property/Evidence Technician training course from an accredited training program such as TAPEIT or TEEX or the ability to complete within 6 months of hire?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience working in a law enforcement evidence room, forensic science setting, or commercial warehousing operation.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience working with Versadex Property Management System or other similar evidence management or asset tracking system.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-Criminal Background Investigation).

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents Cover Letter Other Document

• 

• City of Austin

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