TOTAL COMPENSATION: $60,650 - $84,892 annually. Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.
The starting pay will begin at $22.78 on the pay scale, with a pay increase after six (6) full months of employment, and will have annual increases thereafter, maxing out at the top step of the pay scale.
* This is not a remote-work position; all work will be performed in-person on site. *
*** This job posting is to create an eligibility list only at this time, from which future Forensic Technician positions in the Spokane County Sheriff's Office will be filled.***
*****APPLICANTS ON THE CURRENT ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL NEED TO RE-TEST*****
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The Forensic Technician is an entry-level technical, criminal identification position in the Spokane County Sheriff's Office responsible for latent print processing and crime scene investigation.
Forensic Technicians perform extremely critical work in the identification of criminal offenders through the collection, preservation, and evaluation of physical evidence obtained from crime scenes. Primary functions of this position include latent print processing, photography, and crime scene investigation.
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REQUIRED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST:
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED WITH YOUR APPLICATION:
Open Entry Applicants:
- Copy of Valid Driver's License (Must be uploaded with your application; front side only)
- Copy of DD-214 Member Form 4 (if applicable; Must be uploaded with your application; See RCW 41.04.010 as to how Veteran's Preference is applied)
- Copy of Permanent Resident Card AKA "Green Card" (if applicable; MUST be uploaded with your application; front side only)
- Copy of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card / Form I-797 (Notice of Action) / Form I-821D (if applicable; Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients)
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE SCHOOL REGISTRAR OR THEIR THIRD-PARTY AFFILIATE:
Official transcripts from the school of your highest level of education and/or transcripts showing proof of your highest degree obtained must be submitted to the Civil Service office in order to move forward in the hiring process. All transcripts must be official documents; they cannot be uploaded by applicants to your application.
Examples: if you graduated high school and have some college credits, but no degree, you will need to order BOTH high school and your college transcripts; if you have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree and no additional college, then only order the transcript showing proof of your degree; if you have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree plus additional college, please order BOTH college transcripts, etc.
Accepted methods for transcript submission:
- Electronic Submission: If your school distributes official, electronic transcripts, have your school registrar email the official transcripts directly to: CS@SpokaneCounty.org (electronic transcripts will ONLY be accepted if sent directly by the school registrar or their 3rd party affiliate; applicants may not email transcripts directly)
- Alternate Arrangements: If your school does not issue electronic transcripts, please email: CS@SpokaneCounty.org to make alternate arrangements.
If you have already submitted official transcripts to Civil Service, do NOT resubmit. If you are unsure, please contact our office to verify. Phone: , x2.
DO NOT SUBMIT RESUME; resumes are NOT accepted in lieu of a complete online application.
Promotional Applicants:
- Professional Resume - 2 pages maximum
- Copy of training records with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office
- Copy of DD-214 - Member Form 4 (if applicable; See RCW 41.04.010 as to how Veteran's Preference is applied)
**ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY CIVIL SERVICE BEFORE AN APPLICANT IS PERMITTED TO TAKE THE EXAM. IF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT UPLOADED WITH APPLICATION OR SUBMITTED TO CIVIL SERVICE, APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.**
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TESTING INFORMATION
Written Exam:
DATE: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
TIME: 9:00 AM -OR- 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Spokane, WA 99224 (by invitation only)
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and submit complete applications will be sent instructions to self-schedule for one of the written exam sessions.
All Civil Service written exams must be conducted in-person at the applicant's expense. No online, over-the-phone, or outside testing facilities are permitted. No exceptions. This position does not allow for remote testing; applicants will be required to travel to Spokane, WA, to take a written exam in-person.
Suggested subjects to study for the written exam:
Pattern Recognition
General Crime Scenes
Photography
Fingerprinting
General Forensics
*There is no suggested study material for this test.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as an exclusive list of all essential job functions performed by all employees in this classification, but only as a representative summary of the primary job functions and responsibilities. Incumbent may not be required to perform all job functions and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
Process and document crime scenes with or without the assistance of additional Forensic staff by taking all necessary photographs and/or video, searching for latent fingerprints, collecting items of evidence and preserving them for further analysis.
Recognize evidence and have a working knowledge of the potential evidentiary value of ballistics, soils, blood, DNA, poisons, fibers, document examinations, etc.
Process evidence for latent fingerprints using techniques such as powders, chemicals, various light sources, and photography.
Run qualifying samples in Rapid DNA instrument for presumptive profile generation or matching.
Perform employee portrait and public relations photography.
Maintain accurate documentation and generate reports of findings.
Provide expert testimony in court.
Be available for callouts on evenings and weekends, as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Must be a citizen of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or a deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) recipient; must be able to speak, read, and write the English language; high school diploma or GED.
Applicants must be a minimum age of 21 years old at the time of application.
In addition to the above requirements, applicants must qualify in at least one of the following categories:
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in forensic science, natural science, criminal justice or related fields having a close bearing on forensics. This degree requirement is not intended to disqualify friction ridge examiners and crime scene investigators who are already trained to competency. (certificates and training records will be requested to verify training)
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in any field of study and be a current full-time employee with a law enforcement agency, working within the criminal justice field, with knowledge of either basic crime scenes or latent prints.
A valid driver’s license is required at the time of application and must be retained throughout employment.
Incumbent is required to undergo and successfully complete a full background investigation with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office’s Background Investigation Unit prior to being hired by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
DEPARTMENTAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Vision correctable to 20/20 with normal color vision.
- Hearing correctable to normal ranges.
- Strength sufficient to safely lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Respond to scenes that may be considered graphic and/or grossly offensive to human senses.
- Be available for evening and weekend call outs.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:
All employees of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office are responsible for contributing to a safe, productive, and positive work environment, by being self-motivated and actively demonstrating the core values of the Sheriff’s Office in their daily work and interactions:
- Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, co-workers, managers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness, and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
- Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; a team player that helps the organization meet its objectives by taking initiative; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
- Integrity: Positively represents the organization and the County by modeling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
- Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures, or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement, empowerment, and embracing continuous improvement.
Knowledge of:
- Friction ridge skin - pattern types and the use of fingerprints for identification
- Processing and documentation of latent fingerprints
- Crime scene processing and documentation to include photography
Skilled in:
- Exercising independent judgement and thinking on your feet
- Working as a team and performing duties in concert with other investigators
Ability to:
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
- Operate computer using specialized programs such as Adobe Photoshop or other photographic reproduction systems
- Become Crime Scene Certified through International Association for Identification