Entry Level Law Enforcement Computer Forensics Jobs

Description The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking a highly tactful, detail-oriented candidate to join their team as a Sheriff's Property Officer. Sheriff's Property Officers accept and release evidence from ongoing criminal cases. The position is responsible for the proper storage, release, and disposal of property and evidence, including digital evidence and maintaining accurate records of these transactions in both electronic and paper formats.

Property Officers are responsible for maintaining inventory control records of the department's fixed assets, accessing and entering information in the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), and taking fingerprints and photographs of various types of applicants and registrants. Candidates must be comfortable working around firearms, narcotics, and biological material. The ideal candidate will: Possess exceptional attention to detail.

Be able to read and comprehend legal documents, laws, and ordinances. Have the ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully, both orally and in writing with employees, officials of public agencies, attorneys, property owners, and the public.

Have experience with law enforcement computer databases and experience in keeping accurate logs and records. Be able to enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy. Have a general understanding of types of criminal offenses and types of forensic analysis.

There is currently one full-time vacancy in the Sheriff's Office Property and Evidence Bureau in Redwood City. This position is located in Redwood City but will travel/ drive throughout the County to perform duties of the job. The eligibility list created by this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the Forensic Laboratory in San Mateo.

Depending on qualifications, the vacancy will be filled at either the Sheriff's Property Officer I ($33.51 - $41.88/hr) or Sheriff's Property Officer II ($40.14 - $50.18/hr) level. NOTE: The hiring list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and extra-help positions. Examples Of Duties Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Receive, maintain the chain of custody and integrity of, and safely store evidence, found property, and property held for safekeeping

Advise staff on proper packaging and submission procedures. Maintain files and records, both paper and in automated property management systems, regarding the receipt, storage, movement, and disposition of property. Manage video evidence created by body-worn cameras and in-car video cameras.

Conduct inventories and audits of property and evidence. Release property to the public or to legally authorized persons in accordance with disposition forms, court orders, or stipulations. Compose correspondence to property owners or finders.

Authorize the return of and release safekeeping and found property to rightful owners. Check out items needed for court, investigation, or forensic testing; transport or ship items to and from the Forensic Laboratory; and maintain records of items checked out. Copy, share, or electronically transfer evidence in accordance with internal requests, discovery requests, subpoenas, and Public Record Act requests.

Testify in court to verify chain of custody records on evidence. Purge property as directed on disposition forms and by following appropriate federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Arrange for the auction of unclaimed property and coordinate the destruction of nuisance weapons and illicit materials such as controlled substances.

Maintain inventory control records of department's fixed assets. Order supplies and equipment as necessary for assigned work. Contact or respond to questions from law enforcement personnel, attorneys, representatives of various agencies and the public concerning the release, location, disposition, and forensic analysis of property.

Take fingerprints and photographs of various types of applicants, registrants, and probationers. Operate various automated criminal justice information systems such as the County of San Mateo Consolidated Justice Information Portal (CJI), the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS), and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Attend trainings and stay abreast of industry best practices and changes in laws and regulations.

About the Sheriff's Office The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office protects and serves our communities by delivering professional policing and correctional services while upholding our commitment to public safety, community engagement, and organizational excellence. To learn more about the Sheriff's Office, visit: https://www.smcsheriff.com/. Qualifications Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying

A typical way to qualify is: Sheriff's Property Officer I: One year of store keeping or clerical experience which has included responsibility for maintaining inventory control records or a complex filing system. Sheriff's Property Officer II: Two years of experience in a law enforcement or law administrative agency receiving, storing, releasing and inventorying property held for safekeeping. Knowledge of: Principles and procedures of stock control systems and record keeping.

General characteristics and values of different types of commodities. Techniques of receiving, storing, inventorying, safeguarding and disposing of personal and other types of property. California Penal Code, Civil Code, various County ordinances, the Federal Gun Act of 1968 and other laws governing public property, release of property and evidence and destruction of narcotics.

General characteristics and values of different types of equipment used in the Sheriff's Office including characteristics and handling of firearms. Types of information stored in CLETS and NCIC. Skill/Ability to: Explain and apply departmental policies and procedures including court procedures and process of obtaining release of property.

Train personnel. Maintain complete and accurate records. Operate teletype and computer terminals.

Read and comprehend legal documents, laws and ordinances. Exercise good judgment. Make accurate observations.

Work well with minimal supervision. Deal effectively and tactfully with employees, officials of public agencies, attorneys, property owners and the public. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Lift and move bulky or heavy objects. Apply laws, codes and ordinances related to property management, guns, narcotics and evidence. Handle firearms.

Other Requirements: Pass a detailed background investigation and pre-employment medical exam prior to appointment. Application/Examination Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply.

Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. Responses to the supplemental questions are required in our online employment application. A resume or reference to a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions or the standard online application.

An Initial review of application materials (weight: pass/fail). Overall presentation will be evaluated at this step and applicants submitting an incomplete application and responses to the supplemental question, lacking relevant qualifications and/ or not following instructions, will be disqualified. Applicants who pass the initial review will be moved to the online written exam (weight: pass/fail).

Applicants who pass the online written exam will have their application screened by subject matter experts (weight: pass/fail). At this step the application and responses to the supplemental questions will be thoroughly reviewed. The more highly qualified applicants who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Tentative Recruitment Schedule: Final Filing Date: Friday, August 28, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST Online Written Exam: August 31, 2026 - September 3, 2026 (Applicants must complete the exam within this time frame). Application Screening: Week of September 7, 2026 Panel Interviews: Week of September 14, 2026 About the County San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels. HR Analyst: Lealoa Numera (08142026) (Sheriff's Property Officer I/II - E106/E105).