The Property and Evidence Community Service Officer properly receives, maintains, and disposes of property and evidence maintained by the Police Department; and does other related work as required.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Los Altos Police Department is a progressive organization consisting of 32 sworn officers and 15 non-sworn personnel dedicated to providing a high level of service to the community. The department is committed to the concept of community-oriented policing and continually strives for excellence, taking pride in themselves, the community they serve and their dedication to making a positive contribution to the field of law enforcement.

ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on a continuous basis. The selection process will consist of an evaluation of each applicant's training and experience based on the application materials and responses to supplemental questions.Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Receives, documents the receipt of, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody of, and physically stores property and evidence in a designated property room.
• Prepares evidence for submittal to outside agencies or County crime laboratories for analysis, including packaging, securing and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms and submitting forms with evidence; enters evidence information into the County’s site; transports evidence for analysis and processing; picks up evidence and books back into property room.
• Releases and purges property and evidence following appropriate federal, state, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings.
• Initiates, organizes, updates, maintains, and controls access to complex filing systems and records, including highly sensitive case files.
• Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions.
• Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pickup; completes the necessary reports and documentation of the release
• Processes digital media including photographs and videos; downloads and records videos as requested.
• Maintains accurate departmental and property and evidence records and files.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of property and evidence maintenance; monitors changes in regulations that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum one-year of experience processing and maintaining property and evidence for a municipal or 2 years of relevant law enforcement experience (records, dispatch, community service officer, etc.)

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.

KNOWLEDGE OF
Evidence and property processing and storage, including chain of custody procedures; functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies; operations and authority of the Police Department and the district attorney’s office; local, state and federal law enforcement databases; applicable federal, state and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility; principles of evidentiary record keeping; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

SKILL AND ABILITY TO
Prioritizing work, coordinating activities and following up as required; developing and maintaining accurate records and files; communicating tactfully and effectively; operating modern office equipment, including computer equipment; learn the City of Los Altos and Police Department operating procedures; comprehend, interpret and apply the provisions of penal, vehicle, city and other legal codes; organize and operate a storeroom; act with resourcefulness, courtesy and initiative with a minimum of direct supervision; communicate tactfully and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and members of the community; prepare neat, thorough and concise reports; write and speak at a level required for successful job performance; speak before groups for the purpose of providing information or explaining procedures, policies and regulations; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; establish, maintain and foster positive, harmonious, and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; present a neat, well-groomed, and professional appearance.IDEAL CANDIDATE
Is highly professional, patient, respectful, and ethical; possesses excellent problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude. Communicates effectively and proactively both verbally and in writing. Enjoys working in a small-town atmosphere with an engaged public, including merchants, property owners and residents.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Los Altos is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age or sexual orientation. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Los Altos upon submittal of application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.