Evidence Technician

Are you a passionate professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of criminal justice? Do you have a desire to serve and protect your community while pursuing a rewarding career? The Renton Police Department is seeking a dedicated Evidence Technician to join our team!

In this pivotal civilian role, you'll be at the forefront of major crime scene investigations, aiding investigators with cutting-edge technology and techniques. Imagine capturing intricate crime scenes with sophisticated photography equipment and digitally preserving critical evidence both indoors and out.

As an Evidence Technician, you'll be entrusted with identifying, collecting, preserving, and storing a wide array of evidence-DNA, latent fingerprints, narcotics, weapons, ballistics, clothing, currency, and more. Your daily responsibilities will include meticulous tasks such as evidentiary intake, organization, processing, dispositions, destruction, and releases.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in challenging, detail-oriented work founded on strong organizational skills, scientific precision, and unwavering integrity. If this sounds like you, we warmly invite you to apply today!

The Renton Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency with 169 personnel, comprised of 133 commissioned officers and 36 non-commissioned. It is our mission, through collaboration, to provide professional and unbiased law enforcement services to our community.
*2024 salary information is included with this posting. An increase of 4% over 2024 base wages is effective 1/1/2025.

In addition to the salary listed, the following premiums are available:

• Education Premium of 4% for an Associate Degree or 6% for a Bachelor's or Master's.
• City contributes 3.5% of base wage to a deferred compensation plan for retirement savings.
• An additional 3% is available for passing the annual Physical Fitness Test.
• A 3% interpreter premium is available.
• City contributes 2% of base wage into a VEBA account.

• Receive, process, record, secure, preserve, and store physical evidence for use in criminal prosecutions; receive, store, and release/dispose of property in accordance with RCW, specific guidelines and authorizations; release unclaimed property to owner if known or arrange for disposal or donation to charity.
• Maintain records related to criminal evidence, fingerprints, and related laboratory analysis; input appropriate data into computer.
• Secure and process sensitive articles found in evidence; assure the security of weapons, narcotics, currency and jewelry seized; enter guns by make, model, and serial number; log information concerning criminal cases.
• Compile information and prepare reports related to criminal evidence, findings, and analysis.
• Coordinate communication and activities with other City departments, various law enforcement agencies, and other organizations.
• Respond to crime scene locations and assist investigators in the collection and processing of evidence.
• Operate a variety of equipment and machinery such as a computer, cameras, and crime scene processing equipment; operate a motor vehicle as necessary to conduct work.
• Assist with crime scene forensics by the way of computer aided evidence collection, crime scene photography, and DNA collection.
• Search for, dust, and recover latent fingerprints.
• Maintains detailed documented chain of custody for all property/evidence from entry into systemuntil final disposition.
• Physically transport evidence items to outside labs for processing (WSP, KCAFIS).
• Maintains accurate manual and automated inventory systems and reports of all property and evidence.
• Responds to inquiries from the public or other departments, including assisting citizens in recovery of stolen and/or confiscated property.
• Prepare reports for departmental communications
• May be required to testify in court relative to evidence handling and chain of custody.
• May present to City Council or other departments as requested.
• Maintain visitor log to secure evidentiary storage areas.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance; consistent availability to respond to crime scenes at night, weekends and holidays; ability to travel as required.
• Provide training as it relates to evidence processing and entry.
• Contribute to an environment of teamwork and respect.
• Foster a culture of equity and inclusion by recognizing the diverse needs and perspectives of groups and individuals.
• Remain current with relevant technological advancements as it relates to field.
• Participate in and help provide cross-training in processes as directed by management to ensure a well-rounded team for coverage purposes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• May be assigned to support City priorities during emergencies.

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2 years of college course work, preferably in criminal justice, crime scene processing, or a related field.
• 2 years of increasingly responsible technical experience in evidence processing and fingerprint processing, or a related field.
• Or 4 years of relevant education and experience.
• Valid Drivers' License.
• Lawful permanent resident or US citizen.
• Successful passing of a required background check, including:
  • Personal background investigation
  • Polygraph examination
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Drug-screening test

• Obtain the ACCESS (A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System) Certification within 6 (six) months of hire.
• Successful passing of a required driving record check.

• Drive to offsite locations to perform essential functions.
• Move throughout City facilities and buildings.
• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate with City employees and residents.
• Lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Climb and work from ladders, climb stairs.
• Bending, stretching, and standing for extended periods.

• Work is performed in an office environment and outdoors in all weather conditions occasionally.
• Conditions may require exposure to working in and with biological hazards and in dirty and odiferous environments.
• Worked performed may be in urban or wooded terrain occasionally with embankments.
• Work is performed within the right of way, and in high traffic conditions occasionally.
• May be required to participate in a standby or on-call rotation.
• Noise level out in the field is moderately loud.
• Noise level in the office is moderately quiet.

The City of Renton embraces a diverse and inclusive workforce and prides itself on promoting collaboration and teamwork in a positive environment while providing high quality services to the community. For more information about the City of Renton, please visit the following website: Why Renton.

The City has adopted an anonymous application process that prevents hiring managers from seeing personal identifiers, including candidates' names, addresses, and other similar information. This eliminates the possibility of unintentional or implicit bias during the screening of applications. For that reason, you will not have the ability to attach any documents to your application, including a cover letter or resume. Please make sure to submit a complete, detailed, and updated job application.

Communication from the City of Renton:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from rentonwa.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders. We also communicate via text and encourage you to sign up for text alerts when completing your job application.

Recruitment Process:

The screening process will include a review of minimum qualifications and applicants selected for an interview will be invited via email to self-schedule a time through the Government Jobs account. At minimum, this position will be subject to a standard criminal background check and professional reference check. This position requires accessing areas that contain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). For that reason, this position is also subject to a national fingerprint-based records check. This position requires driving and is also subject to a driving record check from the WA State Dept of Licensing (or other state equivalent). Driving records will be evaluated based on a points system depending on the infraction and severity.