TECHNICAL ASSISTANT EVIDENCE HANDLING 1
Career Family: TECHNICAL ASSISTANT EVIDENCE HANDLING
Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 1 sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
This is where the Technical Assistant Evidence Handling ladder starts, one grade under Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 2, whose band tops out about $9,843 higher. It lists an associate's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $46,727 to $67,528, and state payroll currently lists 6 people in the title, most of them at Law and Public Safety.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Law & Public Safety posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Technical Assistant Evidence Handling series
- Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 1 — $46,727 – $67,528 (this title)
- Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 2 — $53,282 – $77,371
Promoting to Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 2 raises the top of the band by about $9,843. Its top salary lands around the 13th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 6 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $47,157. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (6)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the close supervision of a Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 3, or other supervisory official within the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, performs evidence-handling duties, as well as technical assistant work providing information and assistance, and reviewing and verifying documents; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Utilizes the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to secure, record, collect, verify, distribute, and maintain valuable evidence and keeps track of drug audits. Collects, secures, and records evidence, such as body parts, bloodstained articles, HIV - tainted materials, narcotics (Heroin, Cocaine Fentanyl etc.), firearms and Toxicological body fluid samples. Utilizes unique bar-code created labels to identify specimens, samples, or evidence submitted from New Jersey Law enforcement agencies to establish and maintain Chain of Custody. Keeps up to date with current policies and procedures for receiving evidence, and effectively communicates the information to relevant law enforcement agencies or other state officials responsible for submitting forensic evidence to the Laboratory Information Management system. Scans evidence and verifies discrepancies during monthly drug audits and bi-annual full vault audits, under the direction of the Technical Assistant Evidence Handling 3. Identifies and resolves problem areas and processes them in accordance with rules, regulations, and laws of the assigned unit. Edits, updates, retrieves, verifies, and corrects data with supervision. Verifies receipt of evidence against source documents for completeness of information and accuracy before entry into automated systems and files. Distributes evidence to appropriate laboratory or unit for examination. Applies established security procedures and guidelines to maintain integrity of the evidence. Applies appropriate safety procedures and utilizes all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling physical evidence. Provides testimony in court and other legal forums. Interprets applicable laws, rules, policies, and regulations. Proofreads material for accuracy. Prepares legal, technical, and/or statistical documents and reports. Assists in researching information needed for technical reports, program proposals, and/or correspondence. Collects and provides all documents necessary to comply with subpoenas for discovery requested information to meet specified timelines. Compiles, tabulates, and interprets data and statistics. Reviews inquiries received by telephone, email, or personal visits, and responds with the necessary technical information and assistance in a prompt manner. May assist in preparation of requests for appropriate actions, preparing/processing related forms, and initiating follow-up action if necessary. Reviews operating procedures and recommends changes and revisions. Prepares and provides routine and/or non-routine correspondence in accordance with established regulations. Maintains a case management system for records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in technical work including the receipt, verification, recording, and storage of evidence.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of chain-of-custody procedures. Knowledge of procedures governing "rules of evidence." Knowledge of methods for the safe handling of biological evidence and HIV -tainted materials. Knowledge of procedures for the storage and safe handling of dangerous and lethal controlled substances. Knowledge of legal terminology. Knowledge of established safety and security procedures and guidelines. Knowledge of procedures for processing evidence. Knowledge of basic statistical and/or technical data. Knowledge of office methods, practices, routines, equipment, and filing procedures. Knowledge of recordkeeping procedures. Ability to organize assignments, analyze problems, and develop effective work methods. Ability to provide testimony in court and other legal forums. Ability to compare written or printed material for accuracy. Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations to given situations. Ability to prepare detailed, technical, and confidential forms and correspondence. Ability to keep accurate records. Ability to, compile, and analyze basic statistical and/or technical data and to prepare reports and summaries in graphic, tabular, and/or written form. Ability to process requests for information in accordance with established procedures. Ability to prepare correspondence as assigned. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience. Applicants who do not possess the required experience may substitute additional education as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.