Department: Police Reports to: Assigned Lieutenant

Summary : Under basic supervision, supervises a team of Odessa Police Department (OPD) technicians engaged in the collection, processing, tracking, handling, and safekeeping of crime scene evidence; assures compliance with state laws and OPD policies governing collection and management of evidence and property.

Essential Functions : -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following :

Using knowledge of OPD Crime Scene Unit (CSU) policies and procedures, supervises crime scene and property & evidence technicians, assignments, and technical support functions; assigns work, and assures work is performed in compliance with state laws, City policies, and OPD quality standards.

Supervises and schedules technicians; conducts performance evaluations and resolves personnel issues; reviews work performed, and assures that quality and timeliness standards are met; plans and schedules training classes on new technology and technical procedures for all staff; develops cross-training plans.

Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve technical issues, workload, special enforcement issues, trends, new procedures, resource allocation, and case management issues; monitors operations, inspects work unit, and develops recommendations for improving technical services, and individual skills.

Reviews and approves technicians' case notes and narrative summaries; compiles data and generates operational and summary reports; maintains logs of services, cases, and information requests; requests additional information from OPD sources in order to supplement case notes.

Monitors and supervises property storage facilities and the chain of custody of property received into the Evidence Unit; verifies the integrity of the evidence, processing procedures, and the paperwork.

Supervises maintenance of CSU and evidence processing equipment; orders supplies and equipment as needed, and maintains inventory of forensic supplies.

Answers inquiries about CSU services and records; explains policies, and procedures; provides information and assistance within scope of authority; refers matters requiring legal interpretation to supervisor.

Acts as system administrator for FileOnQ™ property and evidence tracking system.

Assists and coordinates with other emergency services personnel, outside organizations and businesses, and Federal, state and local law enforcement organizations.

Performs duties of CSU technicians as needed to meet workload demands.

Maintains the absolute confidentiality of all records and information.

Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.

Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or a related field; AND four years' experience in crime scene investigation for a law enforcement agency, preferably in the state of Texas. Successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required.

Knowledge of:

State and Federal laws, regulations and statutes, governing management of property and evidence.

Standards and procedures for operating a secure warehouse, including safety rules and regulations.

Rules and standards for collecting, preserving, and securing physical evidence at a crime scene.

Principles of crime scene management, and specialized technical equipment to collect forensic details.

Quality assurance procedures and documentation standards for crime scene evidence.

Investigative procedures and protocols for observation of critical details.

Principles and practices of photographing and documenting crime scenes.

Police radio, dispatch, and communication protocols and procedures.

Principles of record keeping and confidential records management.

Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

Skill in:

Supervising staff, delegating tasks and authority, and coaching to improve staff performance.

Packaging and organizing numerous items of evidence in an orderly fashion for storage and retrieval.

Collecting, processing, and preserving crime scene evidence.

Care, maintenance, and safe operation of crime scene tools and equipment.

Maintaining accurate evidence records, and generating special and periodic reports.

Promoting and enforcing effective forensic procedures and safe work practices.

Working as a team member with other law enforcement and multi- jurisdictional agencies.

Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.

Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Certification for access to Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) from Texas Department of Public Safety is required. Completion of advanced training from Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT) is also required; additional technical training and certifications may be required.

Physical demands and working environments: Work is performed in a standard office environment, and indoors and outdoors at crime scenes; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.