Evidence Custodian

Division of Public Safety

The Division of Public Safety is hiring an Evidence Custodian whose primary role will be as a Background Investigator to conduct personal and professional background investigations for employment by conducting interviews, compiling and preparing reports on findings, and making recommendations based on background findings.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Contact and conduct investigative interviews of candidates, employers, co-workers, neighbors, and other relevant parties; develop and pursue lines of inquiry. These interviews may take place off-sight and may require occasional travel.
• Gather, verify, and analyze arrest reports, witness statements, financial records, employment history, and other relevant documents.
• Obtain records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and State and Municipal law enforcement records, where the candidate has resided to determine if the candidate was a witness, victim, suspect or perpetrator of any crime.
• Prepare detailed and complete interview statements for each person interviewed to allow a reviewer to draw reasonable and logical conclusions about the prospective candidates.
• Prepare a detailed summary of adverse information based upon objective analysis and evaluation of candidate’s background and interviewee statements.
• Prepare a final background investigation package for presentation, review, and final recommendation to supervision and management by organizing all investigative material following established procedures. Scan and save documentation in file.
• Make additional inquiries to determine the credibility of statements.
• Meet regularly with management and/or candidates to keep them updated on the status of the investigation.
• Review completed background interview forms for each candidate checking for inconsistencies, errors, omissions, falsifications, and minimum requirements to ensure accuracy and completion before beginning the background investigation.
• Attend training sessions and seminars; train and advise others as needed.
• Administer a Personnel Evaluation Profile (PEP) questionnaire for each new hire.
• Serve as backup to the evidence custodian.
• Other administrative tasks may be assigned as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Graduation or GED.
• Six (6) months of general clerical experience
• Any one or any combination that equals eighteen (18) months from the categories below:
  
  • On-the-job training in evidence storage and preservation
  • College course work in law enforcement/criminal justice
    
    • 30 semester hours equals nine (9) months
    • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen (18) months
• Valid driver’s license, as required by the position to be filled.
• No record of conviction of a felony or misdemeanors as identified in the Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCS 705 et seq.), or a crime involving moral turpitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous sworn police officer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Principles and practices of investigation and research, including interviewing techniques, conflict management, and methods and techniques of negotiation.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping and reporting; research techniques and data collection.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the confidentiality of personnel records and handling requests for information on candidates from operating departments, public, or the media.
• Ability to manage time sufficiently to prioritize and combine investigations when practicable to ensure timely completion.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity through tact and courtesy when dealing with individuals from various social, cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to remain calm and focused when interviewing distraught, angry or combative people.
• Ability to develop pertinent questions for interviews, perceive when the interviewee has not understood, rephrase/clarify questions, follow-up on unanswered questions or conflicting statements, and keep the interview focused on the material to be covered.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to listen and ask follow up questions as needed.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 0997 - Evidence Custodian position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000.00 - $70,000.00. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 26, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Application materials should include a cover letter, a current resume, and at least three references, including contact information.

Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jen Cochrane at walburnc@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1029774
Job Category: Administrative Support
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu