Introduction
Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.
POSITION INFORMATION
The Placer County Sheriff's Office is seeking motivated individuals to join our team as an Evidence Technician - I. This entry-level opportunity requires no prior experience specific to property and evidence and offers hands-on training in crime scene investigation, forensic techniques, and evidence management. General knowledge of crime scene investigations or property warehouse operations is desirable.
In this role, you will gain valuable experience in both evidence management and field investigations. Responsibilities include receiving, documenting, storing, and disposing of evidence; processing court orders; coordinating evidence and case information with the District Attorney's Office; and maintaining the property warehouse.
Working alongside journey-level Evidence Technicians, you will receive training in crime scene documentation, evidence collection, forensic photography, 3D scanning, fingerprint development, and laboratory techniques, including DNA collection and chemical fingerprint processing.
This position requires flexibility to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Duties may involve lifting 50 pounds or more, working outdoors in challenging weather and terrain, navigating confined spaces, handling human remains in various stages of decomposition, and providing courtroom testimony.
The Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for Evidence Technician - I and Evidence Technician - II. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, the II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment.
BENEFITS
Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.
Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.
For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.
DEFINITION
To perform a variety of tasks associated with the collection, maintenance, and preservation of evidence; in a non-sworn technical capacity, to perform field and laboratory photographic and technical evidence work; and to maintain criminal identification records and evidence as part of the investigation and prosecution work of the Sheriff's Office.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level class in the Evidence Technician series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives immediate supervision from supervisory and/or management staff of the Sheriff's Office. May receive technical or functional supervision from the Evidence Technician II.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Oversee the preparation, identification, and maintenance of assigned evidence and found property.
• Perform field forensic work under the direction of sworn staff; search for and collect physical evidence; photograph and video record crime scenes; make diagrams and log items collected from each location; process and send out blood and urine samples to be analyzed; conduct specialized tasks in photography, latent fingerprint development, and other evidence collection as required.
• Identify and preserve evidence; make evidence available for viewing and courtroom presentations; book property into and out of evidence to preserve the chain of evidence; maintain evidence rooms and storage areas in an organized and orderly fashion; maintain detailed filing systems and records on all booked property; destroy and release property; inventory monies and narcotics; generate reports and assist other members of the Sheriff's Office with investigations as required.
• Classify and identify fingerprints; assist in identification matters with Federal, State, and local authorities; prepare fingerprint displays for court; compare latent fingerprints to known and unknown suspects and victims; maintain and use files and computer systems to identify suspects; maintain and operate equipment for processing of fingerprints.
• Take official and personnel photographs for the purpose of identification and evidence; take photographs relating to evidence in support of criminal investigations in the field, at autopsies, and in-house; enlarge crime scene photographs to be utilized as courtroom exhibits; maintain files of photographs.
• Cooperate and work closely with other law enforcement agencies in identification matters as required.
• Requisition materials and supplies as necessary; assist supervisory personnel and other staff in identifying future budgetary needs.
• Instruct and assist officers in the proper use of photographic and fingerprint equipment.
• Prepare various written reports as necessary.
• Provide testimony in court as directed.
• Provide adequate staff coverage/availability outside of normal business hours, as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. Incumbents are exposed to a variety of environmental factors related to the collection of evidence and field forensic work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Show Your Qualifications
When applying, please be sure to clearly describe how your background meets each of the Minimum Qualifications listed below. This ensures our screening team can accurately evaluate your eligibility.
Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: One (1) year of clerical or administrative experience. Related work experience in a law enforcement setting is preferred.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
• Basic law enforcement terminology and operations.
• Basic police reports.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Ability to:
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; analyze crime scenes; develop evidence to be processed; understand and recall principles of evidence collection and analysis; identify, interpret, explain, and enforce evidentiary and other law enforcement procedures; observe while in the field; review and interpret case reports; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods of time; walk and stand for long periods of time; push, pull, grasp, bend, twist, squat, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, crouch, and crawl to access office and field work equipment and to perform field duties; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; occasionally lift heavy weight.
• Learn modern criminal identification techniques, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
• Learn to operate equipment and materials used in photographic and fingerprint work, including sophisticated computer programs and equipment.
• Learn to take photographs with some degree of sophistication.
• Learn to perform fingerprint comparisons and analyses.
• Learn to perform more sophisticated field forensics.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Work odd or unusual hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime.
• Work in close proximity to human remains in various stages of decomposition, which may include odors, biological/chemical agents, and communicable disease.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Online Written Examination (100%)
Once the filing deadline passes, qualified candidates will receive an email with instructions to begin the online exam.
- Content: Questions may include multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in, or essay types based on the required knowledge for this role.
- Time Limit: You will have 3 calendar days from the date of the email notification to complete the exam.
- Single Attempt: Only one attempt is allowed.
Monitor your inbox and spam folder closely after the filing deadline to ensure you don't miss your testing window.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Pre-Hire Requirements
Candidates must complete the following requirements before their start date if an offer is extended:
• DOJ Criminal Background Clearance: Successfully complete a fingerprint-based background check through the California Department of Justice.
• Medical Evaluation: Pass a pre-employment physical, which may include drug screening and/or a psychological evaluation.
• Oath of Office: Subscribe to the constitutional oath or affirmation as required for all public employees by the California Constitution.
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Provide original documents that establish both identity and the legal right to work in the United States, as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Position-Specific Requirements
In addition to the above, some positions may require one or more of the following:
• Age Verification: Provide documentation verifying that you meet the minimum legal age requirements for this position.
• Background Check: Some positions require a background investigation. This may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, polygraph, and/or proof of bonding.
• Law Enforcement: Applicants for law enforcement functions must complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process.
• Medi-Cal Access/Licensing: Applicants with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification.
Failure to clear all requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.
SUBSTITUTE LISTS
Substitute Lists
The eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in similar roles or lower-level positions within the same career series (e.g., journey-level vs. entry-level).
• Interviews: If contacted to interview for a similar role, the hiring department will provide the specific job details before the interview.
• No Risk: Choosing not to interview for a different classification will not affect your standing on the original list for which you applied.
EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES
Public Agency Eligible List
If you are a current or recent employee of another public agency, you may qualify for an expedited application process. Visit our Employees of Other Public Agencies page to view eligibility requirements, download required forms, and submit an application.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Placer County is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. All applicants and employees receive fair and equal consideration in every stage of employment. Employment decisions are based on job‑related qualifications and are not influenced by any protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. Refer to our Equal Employment Opportunity Program and Policy Statement (PDF) for detailed information.
Applicants who need an accommodation during the recruitment or examination process should contact Human Resources at least five working days before the scheduled exam.
Conclusion
For questions regarding this recruitment, please email PCHRDSRFRecruit@Placer.ca.gov.