Latent Print Examiner Trainee
Apply NowCompany: City of Seattle, WA
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
Salary: $45.43 - $53.07 Hourly
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00444
Department: Seattle Police Department
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/29/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking two Latent Print Examiner Trainees to join a team of highly motivated professionals in the ANSI (American National Standards Institute), ANAB (American National Accreditation Board) accredited Latent Print Unit. This is an opportunity to work for our innovative Department in an environment where you can put all of your existing skills to use in a dynamic team atmosphere.
These tasks include processing items of evidence and crime scenes for latent print impressions using a wide variety of methods and materials, analyzing, comparing, and evaluating latent print impressions, entering latent prints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), assisting in training officers, detectives, and identification technicians to process evidence for latent prints, and preparing and testifying in court.
Job Responsibilities
You will receive training on the policies, procedures, and workflows specific to the Seattle Police Department Latent Print Unit and will be trained in performing the technical tasks of the Latent Print Examiner position. These tasks include but are not limited to:
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in forensic science, criminalistics, physical or natural science or other related field, and one year experience in the identification and analysis of fingerprints and/or evidence processing. (A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class may be considered.) Degree must include course work in Chemistry. Must pass a written and practical latent print examination prior to employment.
Desired Qualifications:
Position Requirements:
License, Certification and Other Requirements
Work Environment:
Additional Information
About the Department:
The Seattle Police Department is comprised of approximately 1,600 dedicated law enforcement professionals all committed to creating and fostering a work environment that is collaborative, innovative, and leading the way in law enforcement principles and practices. Ours is a culture that encourages top performers to adhere to a standard of excellence in the identification of and resolution to complex challenges. At SPD we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.
Additional Information:
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
The full salary range for this position is $45.43 - $53.07 per hour.
New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $45.43 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) regular position with full benefits. This is a Civil Service position eligible for overtime.
How to Apply:
If you have any questions, please contact Roth Lim at
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
If you are the successful applicant for this position, will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship? NOTE: The City of Seattle does not provide H1B visa sponsorship.
02
Answers to the following questions will help us determine whether candidates meet the minimum requirements of the position. Indicating "see resume" or "see application" are not sufficient responses to the supplemental questions. (Note: blank applications and/or entering 'see resume' in lieu of completing the City of Seattle application will flag your application as incomplete.)A complete and accurate application is required for this position. Did you update your City of Seattle application to reflect any recent changes to your experience and/or education?
03
A complete and accurate application is required for this position. A cover letter and resume are both required. Missing any of the required attachments will flag your submission as incomplete. Did you attach both a cover letter and resume? (NOTE: Even if you have imported your resume directly into the application fields, you must still attach it.)
04
Do you understand this position requires the selected candidate be available to work onsite?
05
Do you understand this position requires the candidate be available for overtime and may be asked to respond to crime scenes during off duty shift hours?
Required Question
Location : Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00444
Department: Seattle Police Department
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/29/2025 4:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking two Latent Print Examiner Trainees to join a team of highly motivated professionals in the ANSI (American National Standards Institute), ANAB (American National Accreditation Board) accredited Latent Print Unit. This is an opportunity to work for our innovative Department in an environment where you can put all of your existing skills to use in a dynamic team atmosphere.
These tasks include processing items of evidence and crime scenes for latent print impressions using a wide variety of methods and materials, analyzing, comparing, and evaluating latent print impressions, entering latent prints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), assisting in training officers, detectives, and identification technicians to process evidence for latent prints, and preparing and testifying in court.
Job Responsibilities
You will receive training on the policies, procedures, and workflows specific to the Seattle Police Department Latent Print Unit and will be trained in performing the technical tasks of the Latent Print Examiner position. These tasks include but are not limited to:
- Analyze, compare, and evaluate latent print impressions.
- Develop and preserve latent print impressions and other physical evidence in the laboratory and at crime scenes.
- Locate, develop, recover, and preserve latent print impressions on a wide variety of surfaces using physical and chemical techniques.
- Examine evidence using a laser and alternate light sources, to locate latent print evidence using infrared, ultraviolet, and other specific wavelengths of light.
- Encode and search unknown latent print impressions through available AFIS databases.
- Recover fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints from deceased and decomposed bodies, victims of crime, and potential suspects.
- Thoroughly document observations and results of examinations at the time of observation/occurrence.
- Write detailed reports regarding examination results.
- Assist in providing training to law enforcement personnel in the proper collection and preservation of physical evidence.
- Testify in criminal legal proceedings regarding examinations and results, as needed.
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in forensic science, criminalistics, physical or natural science or other related field, and one year experience in the identification and analysis of fingerprints and/or evidence processing. (A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class may be considered.) Degree must include course work in Chemistry. Must pass a written and practical latent print examination prior to employment.
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), forensic photography, alternate light sources, and latent print processing techniques.
- Temperament to work with deceased bodies, body fluids, biologic pathogens, hazardous materials, and firearms in a professional and safe manner.
- Understanding of evidence handling and situational awareness to minimize damage/destruction of evidence.
- Proper use and storage of safety equipment (i.e., air respirators, chemicals, gloves, booties, and laboratory equipment).
- Proper handling of hazardous, caustic, flammable, and carcinogenic chemicals, including firearms, and explosive devices.
- Ability to respond to crime scenes after hours, on weekends, and holidays.
- Highly detail oriented with the ability to follow oral directions and written operating procedures.
- Reliable judgment, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
- Professional integrity, an understanding of professional ethics, and the ability to work in an unbiased and impartial manner.
- Self-motivated individual, with experience working in a team environment.
Position Requirements:
- Must pass a Seattle Police Department background investigation.
- A valid State of Washington driver license is required upon employment and must be maintained throughout employment.
- Must be available to work overtime; may be asked to respond to crime scenes during off duty shift hours.
- This position is an onsite position; employee is expected to perform the work in person. Individual schedules will be based on an agreement between the employee and their supervisor.
License, Certification and Other Requirements
- International Association for Identification (IAI) certification or certification from other nationally recognized organizations in latent print examination is required within 30 months of hire. Recertification is required every 5 years.
- Passing annual proficiency tests and completion of a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education per year is required.
- Signing a confidentiality statement is required.
Work Environment:
- May be asked to respond to crime scenes during off duty shift hours.
- Requires standing, walking, or bending for extended periods.
- May require handling or working with hazardous substances (e.g. blood, other body fluids and various hazardous chemicals); use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Viewing of potentially traumatic real-time and recorded crime scenes.
- Contact with potentially abusive and/or threatening people in the process of obtaining fingerprints.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
- Safely driving and operating department vehicles.
Additional Information
About the Department:
The Seattle Police Department is comprised of approximately 1,600 dedicated law enforcement professionals all committed to creating and fostering a work environment that is collaborative, innovative, and leading the way in law enforcement principles and practices. Ours is a culture that encourages top performers to adhere to a standard of excellence in the identification of and resolution to complex challenges. At SPD we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.
Additional Information:
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
The full salary range for this position is $45.43 - $53.07 per hour.
New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $45.43 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) regular position with full benefits. This is a Civil Service position eligible for overtime.
How to Apply:
- Apply online at Please refer to: Job# 2025-00444
- A cover letter and resume, that provide additional information on why your skills and experience make you qualified for this job are required.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you have any questions, please contact Roth Lim at
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
01
If you are the successful applicant for this position, will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship? NOTE: The City of Seattle does not provide H1B visa sponsorship.
- Yes
- No
02
Answers to the following questions will help us determine whether candidates meet the minimum requirements of the position. Indicating "see resume" or "see application" are not sufficient responses to the supplemental questions. (Note: blank applications and/or entering 'see resume' in lieu of completing the City of Seattle application will flag your application as incomplete.)A complete and accurate application is required for this position. Did you update your City of Seattle application to reflect any recent changes to your experience and/or education?
- Yes
- No
03
A complete and accurate application is required for this position. A cover letter and resume are both required. Missing any of the required attachments will flag your submission as incomplete. Did you attach both a cover letter and resume? (NOTE: Even if you have imported your resume directly into the application fields, you must still attach it.)
- Yes
- No
04
Do you understand this position requires the selected candidate be available to work onsite?
- Yes
- No
05
Do you understand this position requires the candidate be available for overtime and may be asked to respond to crime scenes during off duty shift hours?
- Yes
- No
Required Question