Sheriff's Office Support Positions

This position maintains law enforcement records for the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office which includes assisting and answering inquiries from local law enforcement agencies as well as other criminal justice, county agencies, and the general public. This position processes concealed pistol licenses, public disclosures, entry of warrants and protection orders and law enforcement reports. This position handles phones and other clerical duties after hours for local law enforcement agencies in Cowlitz County.

Other agencies:

Probation, Superior Court, District Court, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, City Attorney's Office, and the Jail.

Local law enforcement:

Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, and City Police Departments of Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock, Woodland.

Applications are accepted through June 26, 2026.

This position REQUIRES applicants to pass a test - NCRC Work Keys, no later than 07/01/2026. Applications can be submitted before testing.

PLEASE READ - APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT AN ACTIVE ACT/WORK KEYS EXAM.

The Civil Service Commission is authorizing testing for the position of Support Specialist/Law Records Specialist and as such required to complete the ACT/Work Keys exam. This is for the purpose of creating an eligibility list which is available for a minimum of one year. The top candidates are ranked by score, which also includes a panel interview, and certified by the Civil Service Commission when an opening occurs.

Please keep in mind, being placed on this list is not a guarantee of current or future employment.

* Clerical Exam:

Applicant must pass Level 4 (Silver Level) or higher of each of the three (3) ACT/Work Keys - National Career Readiness Test (NCRC).Cowlitz County has partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) in Longview, WA, to facilitate the testing process.
Test scores are good for 5 years.

Test Cost is $90.00

LCC Testing is available 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and closed on LCC observed holidays.

Testing is available by appointment only.

Applicants must take the NCRC tests no later than 3 business days after the job announcement closes.

To schedule testing, individuals can register at :  

Law Records Specialists:

* Work shiftwork will include a dayshift or night shift position for 24-hour operation, including weekends, nights, overtime, and holidays.

* 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 I  report submitted to the FBI.

* Case management to 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

Support Specialists:
Accounting/Civil//Registered Sex Offender, and Property & Evidence:

* Operates 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. The Specialist may transcribe statements and reports from recordings and assist in bookkeeping and purchasing of office supplies. The Specialist may type correspondence.

* Greet the public and answering incoming telephone calls. This involves answering questions, receiving complaints, issuing concealed pistol licenses, specialized forest harvesting permits, and other permits, forms, and reports as necessary.

* Bookkeeping duties include: receiving of invoices from various creditors, matching purchase orders and accurate record keeping of monies spent by the Sheriff's Office. Keeps accurate monthly records by fund and processes the invoices for their payment.

* Maintains sexual offender registration computer entries and files.

* Processes and bills for the service of civil documents. The processing of civil documents involves entering the information into the computer and printing out the needed forms. The Specialist also keeps statistical information for the Civil Bureau. Prepares correspondence and projects, as directed by the Administration.

* Maintain accurate records of the…