Police Support Services Specialist

Are you detail oriented, comfortable working independently, and enjoy problem solving under deadlines? Are you ready to serve your community? The City of Bellingham is seeking individuals who are customer service oriented with a history of progressive responsibility to serve as a Police Support Services Specialist with the Bellingham Police Department. Come join our team today!

The Police Support Services Specialist performs in a team environment to accomplish a variety of functions associated with the management of the Police Department Business Office, Records and Evidence divisions. Special emphasis is placed upon customer service, communication and data support to the Department's officers, the law and justice community and the public.

Responds to requests for information either electronically; in-person; or by telephone, teletype or radio. Conducts extensive research; records, compiles and disseminates data and other relevant information within the Department, to other agencies and the public. Performs wide-ranging background checks and disclosures for various law enforcement agencies and public entities; updates and verifies the accuracy of paper and computerized files and responds to related requests for information. Processes, cares for, preserves, and disposes of evidence and property; provides fingerprint services to the public. Maintains criminal and employee fingerprint files for Department; prepares criminal cards and dispositions for state patrol and related courts. Prepares impounded drug items for lab submission and auction items for web vendor. Responsible for verification of large cash seizures. Prepares and maintains digital images, videos and tape recordings for public disclosure, law enforcement agencies, and prosecution of criminal cases. Acts as first point of contact for citizens by telephone and in person; provides customer service, referral and assistance to a diverse group of citizens including victims, offenders and the mentally ill. Responsible for prioritizing emergent and non-emergent calls and walk-in traffic. Issues applications, receipts monies for all departmental functions and processes incoming and outgoing mail.

Accurate and thorough work is required to prevent liability issues as well as potential endangerment of law enforcement officers and citizens. Any failure to perform in accordance with local, state and federal laws or integrity standards in conjunction with national security systems could subject the Specialist to possible criminal prosecution and/or significant fines for any lack of action, alleged violations or misuse of information.

This position will start at Step 1 ($25.96/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full 2023 hourly range for this position is $25.96 - $31.90.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City's 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. Employees accrue 8 hours total of contract and state sick leave per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 7.33 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employee to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook

• City of Bellingham (cob.org)

• Employment Benefits

• City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 5/28/24 8:30 AM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides research assistance in response to communication and disclosure requests from police officers, Department staff, criminal justice agencies, attorneys, and the general public, utilizing telephones, teletype, radio, paper files, local, state and federal databases, and other computer systems.

• Receives and processes monies related to all departmental fees, services and contracts including police reports, police certificates, background checks, concealed pistol licenses, taxi and solicitor applications, fingerprints, photographs, finders fees, taxi inspections, helicopter permits, alien firearm registrations, block watch signs, false alarms, contracted employment for officers, vehicle impound hearings and DUI restitution. Reconciles cash drawers for daily deposit.

• Conducts criminal record background checks for police certificates, conviction background checks, firearm purchases, concealed pistol licenses, public and private employment, military branches, city licensing, city, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and various non-profit agencies. Prepares and completes, routes and maintains related documents. Maintains registration of all visitors, contractors and other non-law enforcement contacts that have not been background checked for access to secured areas of the police station. Conducts criminal record backgrounds and submits results for approval.

• Organizes, scans, indexes and validates case file documents for records management system. Prepares and copies all arrest documents; determines routing to prosecution staff according to established procedures. Files related reports and documents in various systems. Distributes reports, documents and communications to appropriate division, officer, or various law enforcement agencies.

• Performs quality control review on LONGARM case files, reports, property entries, and associate names and edits accordingly. Collects critical data for further entry into Department, state and national databases, according to established procedures.

• Receives, sends, and distributes electronic and other teletype communications according to state and federal procedures.

• Creates and maintains criminal arrest records of adult arrestees, including citation and arrest entry into records management system.  Interprets dispositions from related courts and updates files.

• Receives and assesses court documents; reviews incident files or receives direct information from line officers for state and national entry requirements relating to wanted persons and protection orders, missing persons, juvenile runaways, and stolen property including articles, firearms, and vehicles. Conducts extensive research for packing of database files; prepares related warrant and protection order entry worksheets for entry into records management system, state and national database. Reviews and verifies entries; performs validations for audit compliance upon monthly request of the state.

• Receives, responds to, records messages, or refers incoming telephone calls. Determines nature and immediacy of all call inquiries; gathers pertinent information and relays accurate details to appropriate responders. Provides information on departmental policies and procedures; refers calls to staff, emergency dispatch, or other departments or agencies as appropriate; records accurate and detailed messages for staff.

• Receives and distributes departmental mail. Opens and screens miscellaneous mail and refers to appropriate division. Immediately notifies bomb squad staff of mail containing unusual or suspicious contents.

• Greets daily visitors to the Police Department providing problem assessment and direction, information and appropriate referral; determines nature and immediacy of emergencies and general inquiries and refers appropriately; locates and directs visitors to requested division or staff person. Refers citizens to appropriate staff for commendations and complaints. Receives temporary right of way permits, locates staff for signatures, and distributes to citizens. Receives, distributes and explains a variety of application forms for various City and state licenses; explains policies and procedures; makes referrals for various Police Department functions and services as well as other city, county and state agencies and related services.

• Logs and maintains chain of custody on property released to labs, Department personnel or courts and prosecutor offices. Researches court files and related impounds for case status in preparation for disposal of property. Determines ownership; retrieves and releases property to citizens or agencies with appropriate signature requirements.

• Responsible for the handling, verification, and release of large cash seizures.  Creates and maintains seizure files. Disposes of seized items via proper destruction methods.

• Fingerprints citizens for various City, state, and federal licenses.

• Reviews and extracts booking information from jail; prepares fingerprint card data and disposition sheets for submission to state patrol, related courts and prosecutors. Maintains employee and criminal fingerprint files for Department.

• Processes incoming evidence, property, and contraband impounded by Department. Cares for, stores, inventories, and maintains custody of items; enters and updates property records for location, storage, and disposition in the Evidence Division.

• Prepares and processes property for return to owner, destruction, disposal through web vendor auction, or transportation.

• Prepares impounded drug items for submission to state lab. Receives and distributes state lab examinations to appropriate division.

• Takes digital photographs, including those of victims of domestic violence. Prepares and maintains copies of digital images, video and tape recordings for public disclosure, other law enforcement agencies, and prosecution of criminal cases.

• Transcribes verbatim victim, witness and suspect tape recordings.

• Provides comprehensive training for new Specialists as well as training in use of the Records Management System and other subject matter expertise as assigned.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

• Provides courier service between the police and sheriff, city and county prosecutor and related courts.

• Manages all officer warning notices in a date tickler file.

• Prepares criminal line-ups utilizing manual photographs or database pictures.

• May provide clerical support to supervisor.

• May participate on Incident Command Team.

• May testify in court.

• May review Police Records system for officer safety concerns on individuals waiting to see station officer and/or waiting to pick up property from Evidence Room.

• May assist Family Crimes Unit in sex offender registration address verifications.

• May compile and prepare sex offender notifications and fliers, wanted and missing person bulletins or officer safety bulletins.

• May receive abandoned vehicle complaints via telephone, email, in person, or through an officer. Enters report and vehicle data into system, communicates with citizens, registered owners and officers regarding vehicle status. Coordinates information and files with senior volunteers for follow-up action on the vehicle.

• Performs other related duties.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed extensively at a computer workstation with periods of prolonged sitting. Station is often shared with other staff. Environment includes a normal range of noise and other distractions working around standard office equipment.

Employees are often subjected to extremely disturbing and sensitive dialogue, materials and photographs, including exposure to weapons, significant health hazards, hazardous materials and pathogens. Encounters a diverse public who may be frightened, diseased, volatile or mentally disturbed. This is often associated with frequently chaotic and intensely demanding time-sensitive situations. May be exposed to property that may be soiled from a crime scene or pest infestation.

Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job including:

• Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;

• Frequently communicate verbally;

• Occasional lifting of boxes or equipment weighing up to 40 lbs.

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible clerical experience including data entry, word processing, reception required. Experience in law and justice preferred.

• Technical training or college level education in criminal justice, paralegal, records management, or business administration may be substituted for up to two years of experience.

• Ability to type 45 wpm NET required.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting. Subject to re-check every five years.

• Must be able to obtain certification as a Level II ACCESS operator within six months of hire.

• Must be willing to sign confidentiality statements and waivers attesting to their knowledge of potential criminal arrest and prosecution issues related to any alleged misuse or lack of performance in conjunction with duties connected to national security and database administration.

• May be required to work overtime and/or rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays as assigned.

• May require a valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record depending upon position. Must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.

NOTE: The background investigation and polygraph examination includes a review of legal and illegal drug use. A history of using legal and illegal drugs, considering the nature and recentness of these offenses, may be grounds for disqualification for this position.

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Application Review Process:

• Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position.  All candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the Oral Board Interviews. Applicant status will be updated via email on or around May 29, 2024.

• Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total score for the following:

• The Oral Board Interview will be 100% of overall score. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment or test. 

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There are currently 2 full-time vacancies in the Bellingham Police Department. This position is represented by a union. 

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently.

Equal Opportunity:

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.