Property & Evidence Supervisor

Summary

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Property & Evidence Supervisor in our Police Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general direction, supervises and coordinates the personnel and activities of the Escondido Police Department Property Unit; supervises assigned personnel; develops training programs for sworn and non-sworn personnel; supervises the receipt, storage, safeguarding, disposal, inventory control and issuance of a wide variety of evidence, narcotics, police equipment, supplies, and property; develops and maintains a quality assurance program; establishes policies and procedures to meet national property unit standards; researches and implements new technologies to increase efficiency; and performs related duties as required.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Supervises and coordinates the daily operations of the Evidence and Property Unit, including staff responsible for handling evidence, property, narcotics, and supplies.

Develops, implements, and maintains policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure compliance with legal standards and departmental goals.

Oversees the intake, storage, inventory, and disposal of evidence and property, ensuring proper documentation and chain of custody.

Conducts regular audits of high-risk items such as money, weapons, and narcotics; ensure strict adherence to safety and security protocols.

Evaluates and improves operational efficiency, storage methods, and resource allocation; recommends and implements process improvements.

Oversees the unit’s budget, including preparation, monitoring, and expenditure control; prepares cost estimates and makes budget recommendations.

Supervises the procurement, issuance, and inventory of department equipment and officer safety gear; oversee replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Coordinates and delivers department-wide training on evidence handling, storage, and destruction procedures.

Reviews reports to determine property ownership and authorize the return or disposal of items in accordance with policy and legal requirements.

Responds to internal and external inquiries regarding property and evidence; explain procedures and ensure transparency.

Testifies in court regarding evidence handling and chain of custody as needed.

Maintains accurate records and prepares reports on unit activities, trends, and compliance.

Selects, trains, evaluates, and disciplines assigned personnel; fosters a positive and productive work environment.

Stays abreast of industry trends, legal updates, and best practices; attends professional meetings and recommends relevant updates to procedures.

Ensures all operations minimize liability exposure to the City through strict adherence to legal and procedural standards.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

State and federal statutes and case law covering contraband, drugs, and the use of physical evidence in court, the rules of criminal procedures concerning time limits, discovery, evidence, and expert witnesses.
Supervisory management principles and techniques.
Police Department policies, procedures, rules, regulations and unit functions.
Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to :

Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
Select, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
Develop written work policies and procedures.
Prepare, monitor and update the budget for assigned personnel.
Supervise and conduct sensitive investigations, and maintain confidentiality and security of records and information.
Properly identify all evidence and make available in same condition as received for introduction in court when needed and with adequate documentation to establish the chain of evidence.
Properly identify all property and return to owners in same condition as received.
Maintain proper procedures for release or destruction of property and evidence per department policy.
Effectively deploy and review the work of staff and Police Officers, and special investigational details.
Prepare clear and concise administrative reports.
Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.
Analyze emergency situations and adopt quick, reasonable and effective courses of action.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Recommend improvements in departmental operations and in the rules, regulations, and policies governing the department.
Develop and implement inventory control systems to ensure that evidence and supplies can be stored, located and retrieved easily.
Conduct detailed and organized internal audits to ensure the integrity of all evidence and assets.
Lift and move objects of moderate to heavy weight.
Maintain a calm and professional demeanor at all times.
Participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures.
Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Compile data, maintain records and files and participate in the preparation of clear and concise reports.
Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff, vendors, outside agencies and the public.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Training:
Graduation from high school or equivalent. College level coursework in law enforcement, public administration or closely related field is desirable.

Experience:
Four years (full-time equivalent) of progressively responsible experience working in a law enforcement property room. Other occupations that include knowledge of housing and locating items may be substituted for law enforcement property room experience. Knowledge of barcoding systems is highly desirable. Experience in leading or supervising the work of others is desirable.

License or Certificate:
Related POST certified training courses are highly desirable.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Supervisory Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 8/4/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Escondido

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