Program Specialist 5

About the Position:

This Program Specialist 5 (PS5) position reports directly to the Assistant Division Commander and supervises one lead, as well as professional staff engaged in making independent eligibility determinations on individuals attempting to transfer a firearm, retrieve a firearm from law enforcement evidence, appealing their denial of a firearm background check, entering court orders prohibiting firearm possession, processing restoration of firearm rights petitions, processing permits to purchase firearms, and using the statewide Secure Automated Firearms E-Check (SAFE) system, a fully integrated multiple data source system used by Washington State Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to submit background check requests.

About Permit to Purchase:

The Permit to Purchase Research (P2P) teams are responsible for researching data sources and issuing permits to purchase firearms, as well as processing appeals of permit denials/revocations, working with courts, attorneys, and appellants.
FBD team members use extensive and authoritative knowledge of state and federal laws (RCW 9.41, 18 USC 922, and 28 CFR Part 25), policies, rules, and procedures to perform complex determinations of firearm possession eligibility in order to render a final decision on an individual’s constitutional right to possess a firearm. Members of all units share responsibility of making entries into the NICS Indices for court orders, or when non-fingerprinted prohibiting events are discovered during the course of a background check.

About the Division:

The Firearms Background Division (FBD) is comprised of of four sections: Research: In-State (RIS), Research: Out-of-State (ROS), Permit to Purchase (P2P), and Quality Assurance and Training Unit (QATU).  This position is assigned to Research: In-State (RIS) / Research: Out-of-State (ROS) / Permit to Purchase (P2P).

FBD provides firearm eligibility background check services to Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), WSP and non-WSP evidence officers releasing a firearm from evidence or safekeeping, and Prosecuting Attorneys Offices for Restoration of Firearm Rights petitions, as well as entering qualifying court orders prohibiting firearm possession into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Indices.

About the Agency:

The Washington State Patrol is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to foster an environment in which everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves, communicate openly, and act with courage. The WSP is dedicated to promoting fair and equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.

Duties

Our new teammate will be able to:

• Operations Management
• Statutory Analysis and Forecasting
• Background Check Adjudication
• Implement Permit to Purchase Requirements
• Record Entry
• Customer Service

Position is self-directed.  The position interacts with FBD Commander, Assistant Division Commander, other Division personnel, and administrative staff, and other internal and external stakeholders to accomplish work.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

High school graduation or GED.

One year experience making firearm eligibility determinations in the Washington State Patrol Firearms Background Division

One years’ lead work or supervisory experience

Ability to professionally deal with angry or belligerent people on the telephone or via email.