Crime Scene and Evidence Technician

Role overview

The City of Apopka is hiring a Crime Scene and Evidence Technician to support crime scene response, evidence handling, and property management functions for the Police Department and related city operations. This role combines field work, documentation, chain-of-custody control, public interaction, and clerical support.

This summary is meant to describe the main duties, skills, equipment, and working conditions associated with the role. Additional duties that are similar in nature may be assigned when needed.

What you will do

• Process crime scenes by locating, documenting, collecting, and preserving items that may serve as evidence, using measuring, testing, recording, and imaging tools such as a digital camera and diagramming equipment.
• Provide on-call support outside regular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and other off-duty times; some call-outs may involve travel to dangerous locations.
• Act as the custodian for evidence and recovered or found property, while following state law, records schedules, internal procedures, and accreditation requirements, and maintaining evidence chain of custody.
• Accept, label, log, package, and store evidence items.
• Examine and record evidence or found property for investigative or courtroom purposes.
• Decide how evidence should be transferred to officers, owners, or other agencies.
• Advise patrol officers and detectives on evidence handling and crime scene documentation practices.
• Arrange and assist with evidence transport for testing or analysis, complete documentation, and forward reports to the right personnel.
• Coordinate evidence and case preparation with department staff and prosecution or defense counsel.
• Appear in court and testify about evidence when required.
• Answer public questions about seized, confiscated, or recovered property by phone, email, or in person; release property to rightful owners when appropriate and prepare unclaimed items for sale or disposal.
• Carry out clerical tasks such as copying, filing, data entry, retrieval of records, and answering phones.
• Prepare and submit reports, logs, and other records as assigned.
• Perform regular and surprise inventories of evidence and property and keep associated records current.
• Attend training sessions, meetings, and seminars to maintain and improve job knowledge.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies when directed by the Chief of Police or designee.
• Handle other related assignments as needed.

Knowledge and skills needed

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, along with legal procedures.
• Ability to gather, organize, examine, and interpret data or information and apply findings to appropriate action.
• Capability to provide direction, guidance, and practical help to others to complete tasks.
• Comfort using computers, data entry tools, office machines, and moderate-instruction equipment such as laboratory instruments.
• Basic understanding of digital photography as it relates to documenting crime scenes.
• Ability to read technical manuals, procedures, charts, and instructions; and to draft routine and specialized reports, forms, and business correspondence.
• Capacity to perform technical or entry-level professional work using established policies and procedures to solve unfamiliar problems.
• Proficiency with scientific software, design software, and photo imaging applications.
• Ability to work rotating schedules and a variety of shifts.

Minimum qualifications

• An associate degree, vocational technical degree, or equivalent specialized training equal to two years of college, preferably with coursework in forensic science, criminal justice, or a closely related discipline.
• A valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
• An acceptable criminal background check.
• An acceptable driving record.

Tools and equipment used

• Computer, keyboard, calculator, fax machine, telephone, copier, radio, pager, and cell phone.
• Marked agency vehicle.
• Crime scene and evidence collection equipment, including biohazard and PPE supplies, body fluid collection kit, casting materials, cutting tools such as knives, box cutters, scalpels, and scissors, latent print kit, measuring and survey tools, blood stain pattern examination kit, and DSLR camera.

Working conditions and physical demands

• Light to medium work that involves standing or walking almost all the time and lifting or exerting 20 to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Requires steady hand use, dexterity, speed, and accuracy in tasks with close tolerances.
• Must be able to move around crime scenes in places such as wooded areas, cramped basements, rooftops, and vehicles.
• Ability to enter and exit tight or hard-to-reach spaces is required.
• Must be able to crouch or kneel for long periods while collecting or examining evidence.
• Normal vision, field of view, hearing, speech, color recognition, texture recognition, smell, and depth perception are required.

Work location

Primary assignment is at the Apopka Police Department and may also include all city-owned buildings and property, parks, grounds, and recreation facilities. The role may extend to off-site locations used for city events, activities, or assignments. Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, seminars, and training schools is part of the job.

Additional information

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

The City may fill the role before the closing date and may also close the posting early. Hiring is done through competitive selection from qualified and available candidates. Current employees and internal applicants are given first consideration before outside candidates. Starting pay is expected at the minimum of the pay grade range, although applicants with exceptional qualifications or experience may receive a higher rate if approved by administration.

For payroll verification, benefits processing, background checks, and income reporting, the City requests a Social Security number and uses it only for those purposes. The City participates in E-Verify and confirms work authorization for all new hires in compliance with federal law.

Equal opportunity and ADA

The City of Apopka is committed to fair hiring and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, sexual orientation, or other non-job-related factors. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities when requested. The City also maintains an affirmative action commitment and seeks a diverse workforce in line with ADA and applicable employment laws.