Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.
The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at [email protected].
The San José Police Department is dedicated to providing public safety through community partnerships and 21st Century Policing practices, ensuring equity for all. The Department is committed to treating all of San Jose’s diverse community members with dignity, fairness, and respect, while protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.
The San José Police Department is seeking an individual with experience in inventory control or warehousing to work in our Central Supply Unit or the Property and Evidence Facility. This is the entry level position in the Police Property Specialist job classification series.
Central Supply is responsible for receiving evidence, maintaining the chain of evidence and processing property with accuracy to meet department guidelines. Staff will verify, confirm, and correct all entries to detail in the database. Central Supply is responsible for the disposal and/or return of property to the rightful owners in accordance with applicable provisions of Federal, State and City Codes and Ordinances. Central Supply is also responsible for the distribution and collection of Police Officer safety equipment.
Central Supply is open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day including holidays. The successful candidate must be flexible and may be assigned to Midnight, Swing or Day Shift and may be given any two consecutive days off. Central Supply work shifts are 9 hrs. There is a 3rd consecutive day off every other week. Staff may be subject to mandatory holdovers to support the needs of patrol.
The Police Property and Evidence Facility is responsible for the processing, data entry, storage and disposition of all property booked in by San José Police officers. All property is handled in accordance with applicable provisions of Federal, State and City codes and Ordinances and SJPD Duty Manual.
The successful candidate must have attention to detail, experience using computers to track inventory and maintain records, perform routine office functions such as word processing, and filing. The ability to Multi-Task, as well as basic knowledge of firearms and ammunition.
Physical Requirements for this position include; the ability to lift and carry moderately heavy and bulky items; ability to bend, squat, climb stairs and high ladders; ability to stand or be on feet for certain periods of time.
Duties include but are limited to:
- Ensure property received matches the Police Officer's description on property reports and quality control of evidence entered in to database and signing for receipt of property thru proper chain of custody.
- Ensure evidence is safeguarded with proper storage techniques to ensure an accurate chain of evidence, evidence is not damage or altered in any way and is accessible to a Police Officer when needed for court.
- Ensure property is retained until the case is closed and then returned to its rightful owner or destroyed as appropriate (contraband).
- Ensure Police Officers safety equipment is issued and replaced as needed and that accurate inventory records are maintained.
- May assist in the training of new officers in proper evidence packaging techniques or updated procedures.
- Answers inquiries by telephone, or in person, from the public, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and court personnel regarding the status of property and evidence in case files.
- May operate car, van or trucks to transport evidence between storage and Crime Lab for analysis. May be asked to testify in court regarding chain of evidence records.
Education and Experience
Police Property Specialist I: Graduation from high school or equivalent and one (1) year performing inventory control and records maintenance duties.
Police Property Specialist II: Graduation from high school and two (2) years of experience receiving, storing, and disposing of evidence and property in a law enforcement environment. There shall be no substitution of additional education for the required experience.
Required Licensing
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Special Requirement
Ability to successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation.
Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
- Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Basic knowledge of firearms and ammunition. Experience using computers to track inventory and maintain records. A high level of attention to detail.
- Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
- Communication Skills- Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
- Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
- Team Work & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
-Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, and a comprehensive background investigation.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
- Please describe your experience performing stores-related duties such as receiving, stocking, and inventory management or experience in receiving, storing, and disposing of evidence and property at a level equivalent to Police Property Specialist I. Please include years of experience and names of employers.
- Please describe your knowledge and experience with firearms and ammunition.
- Please describe your experience with heavy workloads requiring great attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization.
- Please describe your customer service experience. Include the volume and types of customers (internal, external or both). Please also include techniques, if any, you have used in dealing with an unhappy customer.
- Please describe your experience working as part of a team or in a group setting.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, please contact Anna Maria Hawkes at [email protected].
If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Alexandria Rodriguez at [email protected]
Additional Information:
Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.
Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [email protected] and we will research the status of your application.
AI and the Hiring Process
We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
