Salary : $71,136.00 - $95,676.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2175_NewP2P_PS3_FBD_081026
Department: Washington State Patrol
Division: Firearms Background Division
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
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.

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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment polygraph examination and background investigation.
• Must become ACCESS Level 2 certified within six months of appointment, if not already certified.

Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
The Washington State Patrol does not provide immigration sponsorship; therefore, applicants must possess work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship.
Applicants claiming veterans preference must attach a copy of their DD214 (SSN must be blacked out). If you do not provide the required documentation, the veterans preference will not be awarded. Please to determine your eligibility.

Questions?
Please contact Monica Simpson at

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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

No additional point value is given for questions 1-3. Have you ever worked for the Washington State Patrol (WSP)?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered "yes" to question #1, what month/year were you last employed with WSP?
03

If you answered "yes" to question #1, what district/division were you assigned to prior to separation from WSP?
04

+WSP-PBE01 - The Washington State Patrol has strict hiring standards for all employees within our agency. Carefully review questions 5 - 23 and respond honestly. If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will be required to respond to these questions during a polygraph test. UNTRUTHFUL RESPONSES WILL RESULT IN YOUR PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH OUR AGENCY. "POSSESSION" is defined as having actual physical control of any illegal (non-prescribed) drug for personal use with the intent to commit a crime. "USE" is defined as trying, testing, or experimenting - which includes but is not limited to - tasting, smoking, injecting, absorbing, sniffing, or inhaling. Do you understand the importance of answering these questions honestly AND that untruthful responses will permanently disqualify you from employment with our agency?

• Yes
• No

05

+WSP-PBE02 - For the questions related to past drug use, definitions of illegal Schedule 1-5 drugs are listed here for your reference: Schedule I (RCW 69.50.204) - Examples could include: Codeine, Heroin, Morphine, Ecstasy, LSD, Peyote, GHB, Methaqualone, Cannabis, etc.Schedule II (RCW 69.50.2