INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT/EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN

Phoenix, AZ, United States

ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEPT OF LAW)

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT/EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN

Job Location:

Address: 400 W CONGRESS ST,TUCSON, AZ 85701

Posting Details:

Salary: $43,981 - $55,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Summary:

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Criminal Division/Special Investigations Section is seeking an Investigative Services Assistant/Evidence Custodian. This position will:

1. This position must respond to the public by answering and fielding incoming calls; answer inquiries concerning raffling & gambling questions, review and distribute incoming mail; perform a variety of complex administrative support duties such as drafting documents, bates labeling, create/modify/close case files; photocopy, fax, scan and shred confidential legal documents; arrange, file, and sort documents and case files; compile and archive closed investigative files; order supplies and maintain office supply room; perform mathematical calculations; research files to obtain specific information, and assist in purchase order requisitions. Input data into Legal Files and ThoughtSpan Case Management System and other various Access databases and will require usage of various computer programs used to obtain confidential law enforcement information. Will also prepare clear, concise, grammatically correct, and detailed written reports to document aspects of the investigation. Communicate regularly and effectively with agents and prosecutors.

2. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized law enforcement support duties involved in assisting the Law Enforcement Administrator, Special Agent Supervisors and Special Agents including, but not limited to, running criminal histories, compilation of investigative information through a variety of investigative tools, conducting interviews of persons who may be parties to a criminal and/or civil investigation - in-house or in the field, assist at the scene of search/arrest warrants, transcription of confidential interviews, and archive dated material. These tasks will require attention-to-detail and investigatory skills which will result in successful criminal prosecutions.

3. This position will be responsible for SIS Tucson evidence, including receiving, storing, disposing of and releasing property and evidence; and ensure the preservation of all items taken into evidence as well as overseeing the receipt, identification, categorization, storage and custody including items held for destruction in accordance with established procedures and any applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations and the BEAST Evidence Management System.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures. May be eligible for remote work two days a week .

Job Duties:

Perform administrative tasks; answer phone, type reports, correspondence, memos, photocopy, bates stamp, and shred confidential file documents. Answer, screen and direct incoming calls and mail to the appropriate individuals or areas. Transcribe and proofread transcripts for various confidential investigative files. Coordinate and complete surplus inventory services for the Section. Order supplies and pay bills.

Assist in investigations with Special Agents for the detection of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. Prepare detailed reports on findings by compiling data, type reports or spreadsheets and perform statistical sampling of data.

Impound and release evidence on the BEAST, inventory property and evidence from search warrants. Maintains comprehensive records related to evidence and property, such as inventory, location information, destructions, and specific items. Release or destroy closed case matter evidence. Perform semi-annual inventory of items in preparation of yearly compliance audit. Assist evidence supervisor with any additional requests.

Complete case matter criminal histories, asset traces, location verification, DES reports, CLEAR reports and compile investigative results by use of law enforcement databases. Assist agents and administrative staff with ThoughtSpan Case Management System. Prepare, organize, and maintain case files and archive case information into Legal Files Case Management System, ThoughtSpan, and other Access databases.

Assist on Special Projects for administrative staff, Chief Special Agent, Supervisors and Special Agents.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

KNOWLEDGE

As an Investigative Services Assistant/Evidence Custodian, the position will be expected to have a general understanding of various Arizona criminal and civil statutes; the Arizona criminal justice system; rules of evidence; and, tactics, procedures, and techniques for investigations.

Knowledge of the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System.

Knowledge of conducting investigative interviews and report writing.

Knowledge of federal and state statutes relating to the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of complex office and clerical procedures.

Knowledge of office policies and procedures.

Must know asset tracing techniques, rules of evidence, investigative methods and testifying in administrative and court proceedings.

Knowledge to prepare investigative reports, spreadsheets and other documents necessary for successful prosecution.

Knowledge of computer programs, terminology and programming.

Knowledge of agency policies and procedures.

Knowledge of law enforcement information systems and procedures.

SKILL

As an Investigative Services Assistant/Evidence Custodian, this position must have the skills to communicate effectively with people of various backgrounds and education levels using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills; conduct effective interviews; maintain strict compliance with chain-of-custody and evidence control procedures; manage time and resources effectively; work effectively with team members including special agents, attorneys, forensic accountants, computer forensics experts, administrative staff, and other investigators.

Good organizational skills.

Skilled in operating computer/keyboard and various office equipment.

Mathematical skills to perform statistical calculations.

Excellent computer and software skills, including Microsoft Excel, database and records management software.

Skills in online research, including various government agency websites and court databases.

Must have the skills to interpret and apply complex state laws; analyze and accurately interpret copious amounts of information; use a computer and software to prepare reports and perform complex data analysis; and use investigative resources to discover non-obvious relationships between entities.

Skilled in reading, understanding and interpreting financial statements and other financial data. Skilled in composing clear and concise audit reports, accurately analyze and interpret data and communicate effectively with others.

ABILITY

Ability to deal with the public using the appropriate tact and resourcefulness.

Ability to maintain strict compliance to chain-of-custody and evidence control procedures.

Ability to make decisions regarding sequence and priority of assigned tasks.

Ability to conduct interviews and prepare written reports.

Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning criminal histories and case information on legal files of the Attorney General’s Office.

Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing the results of investigations.

Ability to be self-directed with strong problem-solving skills, exercise reasoned judgment in a high-pressure, and time-sensitive working environment.

Ability to form and maintain collaborative working relationships with all level of staff, supervisors and AGO leadership.

Ability to be patient, including with coworkers, staff, victims, law enforcement agencies and government partners.

Ability to represent the Attorney General Office in cooperative efforts with law enforcement agencies and community partners.

Ability to interact with outside entities with diplomacy and tact.

Selective Preference(s):

Preference given to individual with experience working with law enforcement personnel and knowledge of criminal justice.

Must have strong general office practice and organizational skills. The ability to effectively work with law enforcement agencies and treat personnel respectfully. Applicant is desired to have investigative experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must be Terminal Operator Certified (TOC) or obtain certification within 6 months of hire date.

• Travel is required for this position. A valid Arizona Driver’s License is required, along with consent to have your driving record run periodically.

• All Special Investigations Section Staff applicants under serious consideration for hire with the Attorney General's Office are required to be fingerprinted, complete a criminal background check, and pass a polygraph test. A job offer cannot be tendered until the candidate has successfully passed the initial background check. Your record does not automatically constitute a bar to employment. Factors such as, but not limited to, age at time of offense and age of offense, as well as the relationship between the offense and the job for which you apply will be taken into account.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Attorney General's Office offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Student Loan Assistance

Sick leave

Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)

Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at (602) 542-8056 or email us at [email protected].

During all phases of the selection process, people with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the AG’s Human Resources Office at (602) 542-8056 or via e-mail at [email protected]. The Arizona Office of the Attorney General does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age in its programs, activities or in its hiring and employment practices. The following division has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Operations Division, 2005 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: (602) 542-8056, Fax: (602) 542-8000.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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