Property and Evidence Custodian

This is a project position with an end date of December 31, 2026, however funding is anticipated to continue beyond that date.

About the Position:

The Property and Evidence Custodian supports the Crime Lab Division mission by receiving physical evidence into the crime lab and releasing back to the submitting agency, maintaining the chain of custody in all evidence transactions. This position provides support to the scientific staff by handling clerical duties. These activities meet the division goals to provide high quality forensic services and through these programs provide aid and support to the criminal justice system which results in a safer environment for Washington citizens.
 

This position supports the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for disaster or emergency recovery.  In the event of COOP activation, this position will preserve and maintain of chain of custody;  secure Crime Laboratory Division casework files and move them to a secure location as needed.

About the Division:

The Crime Laboratory Division (CLD) provides high quality forensic science services and training for Washington's criminal justice agencies that enhances public safety for the people of Washington.

 

About the Agency & Division:

The Washington State Patrol is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to foster an environment in which everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves, communicate openly, and act with courage. The WSP is dedicated to promoting fair and equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
 

Duties

• Process evidence by receiving and releasing evidence to representatives from law enforcement agencies
• Enter evidence into Justice Trax, the laboratory information system
• Receive and release items between the laboratory evidence vault and staff
• Maintain the evidence vault in an organized manner to ensure the chain of custody and integrity of the evidence.
• Triage sexual assault kits
• Interact with the public and user agencies
• Maintain case and laboratory office files

Work Setting:
Work is performed mainly in a laboratory environment around chemicals, instrumentation, drugs, body fluids, firearms, and other potentially hazardous materials.  Some heavy lifting may be required involving large evidence items or archive boxes.

Schedule:
40 hours per week. Eight-hour workdays, Monday through Friday, 0800 – 1700, are typical; however, overtime may be required due to training, meetings, or other circumstances.

Travel Requirements:
Travel throughout the state may be required for court testimony, meetings, and training.

Customer Interactions:
Evidence is received from and released to agency representatives either in person or via a third party carrier.
Employee interacts with representatives of law enforcement agencies, prosecutor’s offices, and defense attorneys on a regular basis.  These interactions may be in person or via telephone or email.
Employee interacts with laboratory staff to transfer evidence between the evidence vault and laboratory staff, files and pulls case reports as needed by laboratory staff, and orders supplies as requested by laboratory staff and approved by the Lab Manager.
Confidentiality must be maintained in case submissions and all computer records pertaining to the criminal justice system. This also includes personal information related to laboratory personnel.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid, unrestricted Washington State Driver's License or able to obtain one within 30 days of employment. 
• High school diploma or GED.

Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment polygraph examination and background investigation.
• Provide an oral DNA sample to be used in the CODIS Elimination Profile Index.