Field Evidence Technician

Field Evidence Technician

The City of Oxnard's Police Department is seeking a Field Evidence Technician with strong technical and professional skills to be part of the Police Department's team. This individual must be comfortable collecting and processing crime scene evidence as well aspreparing digital evidence after collection.

What You'll Do:

• Assist with the collection, documentation, and preservation of physical evidence at field locations
• Work alongside other lab agencies to perform forensic analysis on a variety of evidence, including DNA, firearms, bullets, and trace materials
• Enter items for additional lab testing into a County-based evidence system
• Maintain strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure evidence integrity
• Photograph, log, package, and transport evidence according to established protocols
• Support investigators and law enforcement personnel during field operations
• Process, review, redact, and manage body-worn camera (BWC) footage for court proceedings and public records requests
• Prepare digital evidence files for discovery, including formatting and secure transfer
• Maintain accurate records in evidence management systems and databases
• Conduct quality checks to ensure accuracy and completeness of evidence documentation
• Work alongside the Ventura County Superior Court to ensure proper chain of custody of digital evidence for court proceedings
• Redact material from digital evidence (body worn camera, etc.) that is sensitive and confidential in nature, while upholding the confidentiality of the evidence
• Have knowledge of and work within the scope of the California Public Records Act as it relates to the release of body worn camera footage and criminal investigations
• Testify in court regarding evidence handling procedures when required

Payroll/Classification Title: Public Safety Investigative Specialist, Senior

Classification Summary: This class is the second level in a four-level Public Safety Investigative Support Series devoted to providing support functions for law enforcement investigative activities. Incumbents provide paraprofessional specialized technical support in law enforcement investigative work. As assigned, work may include responding to crime scenes; assisting or taking photographs and video; obtaining fingerprints; collecting evidence, including DNA and firearms; preparing crime scene sketches; testifying in court as required; packaging, processing, and cataloging evidence; entering data; and preparing reports.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This classification is distinguished from the Public Safety Investigative Specialist in that it provides paraprofessional and specialized technical support in the collecting, processing, preserving and handling of evidence and property related to crimes and crime scenes.

Supervision Exercised / Supervision Received: Receives general supervision on routine items which are performed according to established standards and procedures and receives specific work instruction regarding non-routine matters and deadlines.

Work Schedule: The normal work week is Monday through Thursday, or Tuesday through Friday, 10 hours a day. This position involves being placed on a rotating on-call schedule. There is a potential for the applicant to be called out at all hours and varying work schedules with lengthy hours. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either in an office setting or out in the field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

Essential Functions:

• Responds to crime scenes and assists or provides direct support by identifying, collecting, processing, preserving and safeguarding evidence; determines best methods and procedures for collecting evidence; ensures incoming property has proper documentation and maintains chain of custody information; provides notification of property available for release.
• Assists with or takes photographs utilizing a variety of video and photography equipment; prepares crime scene sketches; obtains and examines latent fingerprints and compares with known prints to establish identity.
• Maintains system data, records, files and documentation; prepares reports detailing action taken and information obtained from crime scenes and in response to service requests; maintains and follows procedures for the proper disposal of property, including firearms.
• Responds to inquiries and information requests; provides court testimony as needed.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Knowledge Of:

• Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work.
• Methods for collecting and preserving crime scene evidence and property.
• Business math concepts.
• Basic filing and record-keeping principles.
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment).
• Customer service principles.
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment.
• Modern office technology.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Four years of experience in area of assignment.
• Valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing
• Positions assigned to the Police Department require successful completion of a police background investigation, as determined by the City of Oxnard.

Application Process:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments.

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough background investigation.

Union Membership: Positions in this classification are represented by the Service Employees International Association (SEIU)

Note: For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12 month probationary period.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

Equal Opportunity: The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodation for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

Legal Requirement: On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Raul Almanza at raul.almanza@oxnard.org.