Public Safety Specialist (Criminal Evidence Section)

Public Safety Specialist (Criminal Evidence Section)

Salary

$23.25 - $45.12 Hourly

Location

Prince William County, VA

Job Type

Full-Time (FT)

Job Number

202610862

Department

POLICE

Division

ADMINISTRATION

Opening Date

10/01/2026

Closing Date

10/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

GRADE

B22

Hiring Salary

$29.06 - $34.19

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Introduction

Are you an individual who is energized by the feeling of supporting those who serve in Public Safety? Are you looking for a busy and diverse office environment? Come join a dynamic team of business professionals doing meaningful work as a Public Safety Specialist, serving a key role for the Criminal Evidence Section, supporting a Police Force Dept of 900+ sworn and professional staff members.

About This Role:

As a Public Safety Specialist - Criminal Evidence Section, you will play a vital role in supporting our mission to uphold justice and serve the community by ensuring the integrity, security, and proper handling of criminal evidence and property. This position offers a dynamic and meaningful opportunity to work at the intersection of law enforcement, public service, and meticulous recordkeeping. In this role, you will work under regular supervision while performing a wide variety of complex, detail-oriented tasks critical to the criminal justice process. Your primary responsibilities will include the intake, secure storage, release, submission to the state laboratory, and lawful disposal of property and evidence, all while maintaining precise chain-of-custody documentation to support legal proceedings. You will proactively identify and resolve discrepancies, system issues, or storage concerns in collaboration with your supervisor, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. You will also contribute to the broader team by cross-training in other functional areas, assisting with periodic audits and inventories, and supporting fellow team members when needed. As the public face of the Evidence Section, you will respond to inquiries from the general public, law enforcement, and external agencies, providing excellent customer service while ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive materials. Additionally, you will assist supervisory staff with reporting, fiscal tracking, special projects, and interagency coordination, helping keep our operations running smoothly and effectively. On occasion, you may be called to testify in court regarding the custody and handling of evidence, underscoring the critical nature of your work. This position requires the ability to work well in a team environment and independently, maintaining a high level of integrity and attention to detail in a secure, high-accountability setting.

Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or G.E.D. and 1 year of related experience working in law enforcement, public safety, evidence/property room, records management, or another clerical/technical field.

Preferences:

• Associate's degree or degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Forensics, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with filing, inventory, and evidence management software.
• Demonstrated superior customer service and effective written/oral communication.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn specialized databases.
• Prior experience testifying in court or maintaining chain-of-custody records.
• Knowledge of chain-of-custody principles, evidence handling protocols, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to train or instruct internal team members or external agency personnel on evidence handling procedures, chain of custody protocols, or the use of evidence management and tracking systems.
• The ideal candidate will have certifications such as Evidence Handling (e.g., IAPE), NCIC/VCIN access, or CJIS Security Awareness Training.

To view our hiring standards, click here.

Special Requirements:

• Must pass a thorough background investigation, which may include criminal history, credit check, education verification, license verification, and/or fingerprinting.
• Must have a current, valid drivers license.

Work Schedule:

• Ability to work Monday- Friday, 7:30 am-3:30 pm

• Subject to callouts and work beyond standard hours as operational needs require, may take place.

Starting Salary Range: $29.06 - $34.19

Why Join Us?

Joining our team means you'll not only contribute to the safety and well-being of our community but also enjoy a range of perks and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Professional development and training opportunities, including certifications in evidence handling and secure records management.
• Access to County-provided equipment and resources, such as a county vehicle (when required for field duties) and a County-issued cell phone for business use.
• The opportunity to work in a supportive, team-oriented environment that values integrity, accuracy, and service to the public.
• Opportunities to build strong interagency relationships and gain experience in a high-impact area of public safety operations.

If you are detail-oriented, customer-focused, and eager to contribute to meaningful work that upholds the integrity of the justice system, this is the role for you.

Work Environment and Conditions:

• Work in secure evidence storage facilities with controlled access.
• Regular handling of firearms, narcotics, biohazards, currency, and other sensitive or potentially hazardous materials and sometimes graphic in nature.
• Exposure to strong odors, contaminated items, or deteriorating evidence.
• Frequent lifting and moving of items up to 50 pounds; use of ladders and protective equipment required.
• Rotating on-call and potential call-back duties.

Prince William County also offer great benefits, including:

• Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• 401a and 457 retirement savings and investment plans
• Paid Annual Leave
• Paid Personal Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Optional Group Medical and Dental Health Plans
• Optional Group Life Insurance
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career Development Opportunities

Full-time positions with Prince William County Government qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). For more information on PSLF, please click here: PSLF.

NOTE: The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. To view the class description in its entirety, click here.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

SEE YOURSELF HERE!

Prince William County Government offers medical plans with corresponding pharmacy and basic vision coverage, as well as dental plans and a separate vision plan.

Full-time and part-time Prince William County Government employees are eligible to participate in our plans; however, the level and cost of benefits depends on the classification of the position.

The following positions do not accrue leave and are not eligible for holidays or other fringe benefits:

• Temporary
• Provisional
• Seasonal employees

Click on the link below to explore our plans and rates.

Prince William County Benefit Programs

01

By submitting this application, I understand the following: 1) Only the information provided on my application is used to determine my qualifications; 2) My resume will not substitute for the education, work experience, and required fields on the Prince William County application; 3) Only responses to Supplemental Questions that can be verified in my submitted education and work experience will be credited and 4) If selected, my employment dates will be verified for the past three (3) years (if applicable), with a required reference from my current or most recent employer.

• Yes, I acknowledge and understand the above statement and wish to continue in this process.
• No, I do not wish to proceed any further in this process.

02

Please select the option that reflects your highest level of completed education.

• Associates degree or higher
• Some college
• High School Diploma/GED
• None of the above

03

Which of the following best describes your educational background in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Forensics, or a closely related field?

• I possess an associate's degree or higher in criminal justice, public safety, or forensics
• I possess an associate's degree or higher in a closely related field (Criminology, Law Enforcement, legal studies)
• I do not have a degree in these specific fields, but I have a degree in an unrelated field
• I am currently enrolled in a degree program for one of the fields mentioned above
• I do not have a college degree

04

How many years of experience do you have working in law enforcement, public safety, evidence/property room, records management, or another clerical/technical field?

• 5+ years
• 3-4 years
• 1-2 years
• Less than 1 year
• None

05

How much experience do you have providing direct customer service to citizens, law enforcement, or external agencies? Make sure your response is consistent with the information you have provided in the work history section of your application.

• 3+ years
• 1-2 years
• Less than 1 year
• No customer service experience

06

What is your proficiency level with Microsoft Excel?

• Advanced (pivot tables, macros, advanced formulas)
• Intermediate (formulas, sorting, filtering, charts)
• Beginner (basic data entry & formatting)
• No experience

07

Do you have knowledge or experience with chain of custody principles, evidence handling, or maintaining secure/confidential records?

• Significant hands-on experience managing evidence/property rooms
• Some hands-on experience handling secure/confidential materials
• Basic knowledge through training or coursework
• No knowledge/experience

08

Do you currently hold, or have you previously held certifications (IAPE, NCIC/VCIN, and CJIS)?

• Yes, I hold/held all certifications
• Yes, I hold/held CJIS
• Yes, I hold/held NCIC/VCIN
• Yes, I hold/held IAPE
• No, Im not familiar with IAPE, NCIC/VCIN, and CJIS

09

Please quantify your experience with filing and inventory management in a professional setting.

• Yes, 3+ years
• Yes, 1-2 years
• Yes, less than 1 year
• No

10

Please quantify your experience providing court testimony related to evidence handling or the chain of custody

• 5 or more years
• 3 to 4 years
• 1 to 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

11

Please quantify your experience training or instructing others (e.g., internal members or external partners) in evidence handling procedures or evidence tracking systems.

• I regularly train or instruct both internal staff and outside agencies in evidence handling/tracking systems
• I occasionally train or provide guidance to others on evidence procedures
• I have no experience and prefer not to train others

Required Question

Employer Prince William County Government

Address 1 County Complex Court

Prince William County, Virginia, 22192

Website https://www.pwcva.gov/department/human-resources/careers