Temporary Property Evidence Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $4,436.00 - $5,660.00 Monthly
Location : Salinas Police Services Headquarters, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00771
Department: Police
Division: Evidence & Property
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
This is a great opportunity for those interested in beginning their career in law enforcement and serving the Salinas community.
Note: Any prospective candidate must pass a thorough law enforcement background investigation before being hired by the Salinas Police Department.
Tentative Recruitment Schedule:
Recruitment closes: 9/11/2026
Written exam: Week of 9/21/2026
Department Interviews: Week of 10/5/2026
Please note that these are tentative dates and are subject to change.
Summary of Duties: Operates the Police Department's evidence and property system to receive, record, store, safeguard, release and disburse evidence and found or abandoned property; maintains separate evidence and property areas.
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the entry-level class of the Evidence Technician series. It is distinguished from the Senior Property/Evidence Technician in that positions in this class perform less than the full range of duties assigned to the Senior Property/Evidence Technician and work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.
Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives direct supervision from the Property/Evidence Supervisor. May occasionally receive general direction from sworn or non-sworn management employee. May serve as a lead of temporary staff in the absence of supervisor.
Essential Job Functions

1. Receives, records, examines, codes, prepares, and stores various types of personal property recovered, found or turned in as evidence.
2. Keeps accurate records of stored property and evidence to assure security and retrieval capability for court purposes and for audit.
3. Arranges for storage of large items and organizes the orderly layout of the property storage rooms.
4. Maintains confidential files and records regarding property in custody and its disposition; releases property to be used in evidence or to be returned to owners.
5. Interacts and communicates with the public via telephone, email and in person to facilitate the return of property.
6. Forwards or hand delivers evidence to various laboratories or experts for appropriate analysis.
7. Maintains chain of custody records of evidential property and testifies in court.
8. Coordinates and prepares usable unclaimed property for auction as pursuant to State Penal Code provisions.
9. Purges property pursuant to prescribed methods on a regular basis.
10. Keeps current records on the location and movement of property within the department, in court or to other locations as necessary.
11. Confers with sworn personnel, City Attorney's office, investigators, District Attorney's office, court and other law enforcement agencies on matters concerning property.
12. Stores, packages, catalogs and destroys narcotics pursuant to prescribed methods.
13. Destroys illegal and nuisance weapons.
14. Transports illicit materials, firearms, chemicals and valueless items for disposal or destruction.
15. Following chain of custody, retrieves, returns or transports property, equipment and supplies.
16. Types, enters and verifies the variety of property and evidence data on a computer; prepares related reports.
17. Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Basic recordkeeping and filing systems
• Basic techniques for effectively maintaining a warehouse environment
• Basic techniques and practices of chain of custody rules used in law enforcement property and evidence processing, storage, and disposition is desirable
• Principles and practices of work safety
• Safety practices related to lifting and handling of evidence and property
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Maintain exact records and organize accurate recordkeeping systems.
• Interpret and understand Penal and Health & Safety codes.
• Store evidential property without loss or damage.
• Learn and apply laws and regulations governing preservation of evidence.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Type and enter data on a computer.
• Process numerical and alphabetical data with high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain confidentiality about information accessed in work activities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Education: High School Diploma/GED
Experience: One year of experience in storage, materials management, warehousing, or related experience.
Supplemental Information
Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computers, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read fine printed materials, visual display terminals, detect subtle shades of color; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment and climb ladders and stairs, physical strength to lift up to 50 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.
Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or standing at a counter for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Physical mobility sufficient to lift boxes, climb ladders and stairs to retrieve various types of evidence. Ability to drive an automobile. May occasionally work off hour shifts, weekends and holidays
Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.
Veteran's Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.
Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
Selection Process: Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.
Oral Board Interview FAQ - Applicants who are invited to the oral board interview or have questions on what to expect during an oral board interview, are encouraged to review the City of Salinas Tips for a Sucessful Oral Board which can be found
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.
Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)
For a complete listing of benefits, please click to visit the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for this position.
01
As an applicant with the Salinas Police Department, you are required to complete this Pre-Investigative Questionnaire. The information in this form will be used during the pre-employment screening process in determining your suitability for the position. It is your responsibility to complete this form and provide the required information. You must respond to all questions. Applicants are not expected or required to reveal any medical or disability related information. Answers are also subject to verification by polygraph and/or medical examination including but not limited to, a drug screening. Any false statements or omissions on this form can and often will result in you being removed from the hiring process, the withdrawal of any conditional offer, or be considered for immediate dismissal if an appointment is made. Please acknowledge that you have read the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02
Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

03
Have you been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs two or more times?

• Yes
• No

04
Have you been convicted of two or more misdemeanor offenses under California law in the past three years?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever been arrested or convicted for Domestic Violence?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you used or illegally possessed any hallucinogenic, including Ecstasy, within the past seven years?

• Yes
• No

07
Excluding cannabis, have you used or possessed any drug not mentioned above, including cocaine and other prescription drugs not prescribed to you, within the past three years?

• Yes
• No

08
As an adult, have you ever manufactured or cultivated any drug or illegal substance?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

Required Question