Sheriff's Office Support Positions

Cowlitz County•Kelso, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position maintains law enforcement records for the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Responsibilities include assisting and answering inquiries from local law enforcement agencies, other criminal justice and county agencies, and the general public. The role involves processing concealed pistol licenses, public disclosures, entering warrants and protection orders, and managing law enforcement reports. Additionally, this position handles phones and other clerical duties after hours for local law enforcement agencies in Cowlitz County. The Sheriff's Office collaborates with various agencies including Probation, Superior Court, District Court, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and the Jail, as well as local law enforcement agencies such as the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office and City Police Departments of Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock, and Woodland. Applications are accepted through October 23rd, 2026. A mandatory NCRC Work Keys test must be passed by October 30th, 2026. Successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list based on their test score, panel interview, and certification by the Civil Service Commission. Test scores are valid for 5 years, and the test costs $90.00. Testing is conducted by appointment only at Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, WA.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalency.
Must pass Level 4 (Silver Level) of each of the 3 ACT/Work Keys – National Career Readiness Tests (NCRC) through Lower Columbia College (LCC) or provide a passing NCRC Certificate.
Pass a background and criminal history investigation.
Complete a class and pass ACCESS Level I or II certification (depending on classification), which will require re-certification every two years (training provided on the job).
Extensive filing experience, maintaining hard copy and electronic records.
Type at least 50 WPM.
Understand rules of dissemination for requests of records/reports by outside agencies, case parties, and the general public.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Able to maintain accurate records.
Organizational skills.
Able to handle a multi-task work environment, and manage stress related to work duties and work environment.
Ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service to law enforcement agencies, constituents, and the public in person, over the phone/radio and via email.
Enter, modify, locate and clear warrants and restraining orders in WACIC/NCIC after thorough preparation of appropriate documents.
Enter, modify, locate and clear stolen property, officer safety information, stolen vehicles, missing people and other items into WACIC/NCIC.
Run thorough background checks for all gun related licenses (concealed pistol licenses, applications to transfer a pistol, federal firearms dealer applications, silencers, etc.).
Accurately perform data entry of police reports, ensuring proper information is provided for monthly IBR report submitted to the FBI.
Manage cases for the Prosecuting Attorney and other outside agencies.
Take public disclosure requests and process them, including compilation of information, redacting, approving and releasing information according to Washington State Public Disclosure Laws and Regulations.
Routinely search for information for officers/deputies and dispatch through several available computer systems.
Accurately file and access documents by alphabetical and numerical order.
Assist with deputy and SWAT team callouts when requested.
Operate office machines such as: personal computers with several software programs, calculator, photocopier, multi-line telephone, facsimile transmission devices, state and county computer terminals and other office equipment.
Transcribe statements and reports from recordings.
Assist in bookkeeping and purchasing of office supplies.
Type correspondence.
Greet the public and answer incoming telephone calls, answering questions, receiving complaints, issuing concealed pistol licenses, specialized forest harvesting permits, and other permits, forms, and reports as necessary.
Perform bookkeeping duties including receiving invoices, matching purchase orders, and accurate record keeping of monies spent by the Sheriff's Office.
Keep accurate monthly records by fund and process invoices for payment.
Maintain sexual offender registration computer entries and files.
Process and bill for the service of civil documents, including entering information into the computer and printing needed forms.
Keep statistical information for the Civil Bureau.
Prepare correspondence and projects, as directed by the Administration.
Maintain accurate records of the storage location of all property/evidence so that it is readily available to the courts or investigators.
Work with the State Crime Lab for testing and proper chain of custody.
Return property/evidence to its rightful owner or dispose of it in accordance with RCW statutes after court conclusion and release by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
Potentially testify in court.