Property & Evidence Custodian - Tacoma Crime Lab

About the Position:

The Property and Evidence Custodian (PEC) 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.

About the Division:

The Crime Laboratory Division operates five multi-service crime laboratories in Seattle, Tacoma, Marysville, Spokane, Vancouver and limited-service crime laboratories including the Latent Prints Laboratory in Tumwater and the CODIS Laboratory in Seattle. The laboratories provide quality forensic services for criminal justice agencies within the state of Washington.

Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratories are currently accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) in the field of forensic testing, which requires conformance to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 International Standard and ANAB Forensic Testing & Calibration.

About the Agency:
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

Responsibilities:

• Process evidence by receiving and releasing evidence to representatives from law enforcement agencies.
• Review the associated Request for Laboratory Examination (RFLE) form for complete and accurate information.
• Document evidence in 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.
• Testify in courts of law on handling of evidence.
• Interact with the public and user agencies.
• Maintain case and laboratory office files.
• Order, receive, and distribute office and/or laboratory supplies and maintain accurate records.

Work Setting/ Hazards:
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. Alternate work schedules can be considered.

Travel Requirements:
Travel throughout the state may be required for court testimony, meetings, and training, or to transport evidence to/from other agencies. Transportation is by pool car.

Tools and Equipment:
General office equipment, office and laboratory software, and personal protective equipment and supplies.

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:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Washington State Driver's License. ( A valid driver's license is required to transport evidence)
• Must be willing and able to lift up to 50lbs.
• Testify in court regarding chain of custody if required.

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.
• You must submit a current cover letter when you apply.