The Identification Technician position is a great opportunity to join King County Sheriff's Office and start a career in forensics or criminal justice! The responsibilities of this classification include collecting fingerprints and photographs of inmates using an electronic fingerprint device (Livescan) or inked fingerprint methods in correctional facilities; collecting DNA samples; using criminal record databases and communicating with law enforcement agencies on matters relating to criminal information. You may be exposed to substances and matter that can be disturbing. You will need to handle other biologic and hazardous materials in a safe, professional manner.
The Identification Technician works within the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Jail ID Unit of the King County Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Program, under the Criminal Investigations Division in the King County Sheriff’s Office. Work associated with this role is performed in both adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public. This recruitment will establish an employment list (valid for one year) to fill current and future identification Technician vacancies. For information regarding King County Civil Service Rules, visit the Civil Service website here.This position supports King County's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). Incumbents primarily work in jail environments with and around inmates who may be hostile, have physical or mental health issues, carry communicable diseases, or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Job duties include:

• Obtain clear, classifiable, Livescan and inked finger and palm prints; ensure high quality of images for AFIS search and comparison.
• Capture photographs of inmates, including face and tattoo images, and document descriptive details with accuracy.
• Obtain DNA samples using oral swab kit, fill out required demographic data, and package for submission to the state crime lab.
• Communicate with law enforcement agencies and assist in resolving identity issues.
• Troubleshoot basic Livescan problems, work with vendor service engineers to resolve issues.
• Requires close contact with individuals who are potentially verbally abusive, threatening, offensive, uncooperative, manipulative, and/or experiencing extreme stress.
• May be required to travel to hospitals to take fingerprints of incapacitated to determine identity.
• May provide educational presentations for citizens' academies, local schools and tours of the units.
• May be subpoenaed to testify in courts of law.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of experience in a customer service role with the public, preferably in public safety, that demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.

ABILITY TO:

• Maintain confidentiality and follow security procedures.
• Work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays and demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Work professionally with potentially uncooperative and/or volatile individuals to successfully collect fingerprints, palmprints, and photographs.
• Learn and effectively use ink fingerprint methods, as well as current computerized technology and scanning equipment for collecting fingerprints and producing quality photographic images.
• Apply principles and techniques used to record clear and classifiable fingerprints.
• Follow laws, policies and procedures pertaining to law enforcement, detention, and data privacy regulations.
• Work both independently and collaboratively with other staff members in a small, shared work area.

DEMONSTRATED SKILL IN:

• Customer service and interpersonal skills that include patience, attentiveness, and ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
• Self-awareness and the ability to control emotions and tactfully handle a variety of unpredictable situations.
• Effective communication skills, particularly while giving instructions to uncooperative and/or hostile individuals.
• Capacity to perform duties that require physical contact with potentially difficult subjects, including taking fingerprints from incapacitated or deceased individuals.
• Using discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Communicating orally and in writing in English.
• Reading, understanding, and following directives.
• Skill in keyboarding of both alpha and numeric characters with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to use specialized databases, experience in basic MS Word, MS Excel, email software programs.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, and the ability to deal effectively with criminal justice personnel, a diverse population of inmates, and the general public.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working directly with individuals who are dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Fingerprinting skills and the ability to recognize the characteristics of a quality fingerprint impression.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and procedures pertaining to criminal justice and detention facilities.
• Knowledge of detention records systems, warrant systems, AFIS, Livescan fingerprint capture system, and computerized criminal history systems.
• Previous experience or related degree in criminal justice or forensics.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, and experience light lifting for extended periods of time.
• Pass Level I Washington State Patrol (WSP) ACCESS (A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System) certification which is required within six months from the date of hire followed, by recertification on set schedule as determined by Washington State Patrol.
• Washington State Driver’s License and the ability to travel throughout King County, including those areas not serviced by public transportation, in a timely manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Duties are performed in secure jail facilities and involve close contact with inmates.
• Incumbents must function efficiently in a jail facility for extended periods with no opportunity to leave during their shift. An Identification Technician is considered an "essential employee," meaning he/she is required to work holidays, report for duty during adverse weather conditions, and may be required to work mandatory overtime and shift extensions with little notice. Employees may be required to work for extended hours exceeding normally scheduled shifts in case of emergencies.
• Potential candidates must be able to adapt to a jail environment which has the potential to be stressful and includes strong odors, profanity or offensive language, and loud noises.
• Identification Technicians work in shared open concept workspaces in close proximity to one another.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by the King County Regional AFIS Guild (KCRAG).

WORK SCHEDULE: This unit operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including holidays and weekends. Applicants MUST be willing to work any shift. Assigned shifts, days off, and work locations may vary at the discretion of management; and may rotate on a periodic basis. Additional hours beyond assigned shift may be required. Assigned schedules may include standard or compressed workweeks. This full-time Civil Service position is eligible for overtime with prior supervisor approval.

WORK LOCATION: King County Adult and Juvenile Correctional Facilities within King County.

RECRUITNG STEPS AND TIMELINE:

Step 1: Submit Application

• Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office.
• Complete an online employment application at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 10 years if you have 10 years of employment (or more to include relevant experience). Incomplete applications with no work experience listed or answering "see resume" may not be considered.
• Complete answers to all the supplemental questions.
• Please note: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. Answers to supplemental questions will assist in determining your eligibility for further consideration. The most competitive candidates may be invited to move forward in the hiring process.

Step 2: Complete Technical Exam

• Candidates who pass the application review will be asked to complete a technical exam. This is a scored component of the examination process.

Step 3: Oral Board Exam (interview)

• Candidates who pass the technical exam will be invited to an oral board exam (interview). This is a scored component of the examination process.

Step 4: Eligibility List & Background Investigation

• Candidates who pass both the technical and oral board examination will be placed on an eligibility list. Eligible candidates will proceed with the background investigation process in order of their rank on the list. The background investigation process may take up to 8 weeks to complete.

Recruitment Timeline:
Accepting applications: July 8 – July 23, 2024
Technical Testing: Early August 2024
Oral Board Interview: Mid-Late August 2024
Please note, dates are subject to change based on resource availability. The hiring and selection process is lengthy, requiring multiple months to complete.

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders.

CONTACT: If you have questions regarding this recruitment please contact:
Sara Rogers, HR Analyst, Civil Service Administration
sarrogers@kingcounty.gov
206-477-0148

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To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.