Photographer, Senior

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking a skilled photographer to support the Forensic Digital Imaging Section. The role requires intermediate to advanced photography experience and the ability to produce accurate, high-quality work in both studio and field settings.

Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Camera Raw is required, with experience in studio lighting, off-camera flash, and on-location lighting setups. On-call rotation is required.

Qualifications

• Three years of journey-level photography experience
• Associate degree or equivalent in Technical/Commercial Photography

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality photos for SPD projects, personnel, and events.
• Capture images in studio, field, and controlled lighting setups.
• Edit with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Camera Raw.
• Photograph latent fingerprints and forensic evidence.
• Apply lighting techniques while preserving chain-of-custody and data integrity.
• Support investigations by producing photomontages for discovery requests.
• Attend on-call rotations for after-hours emergencies.
• Perform duties to support the Photo Unit.

Skills

Studio lighting

On-location lighting

Photoshop

Lightroom

Camera Raw

Event photography

Portrait photography

Commercial photography

Education

Associate degree in Photography

Technical/Commercial photography education

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Lightroom

Camera Raw

Job description

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking a skilled photographer to support the Forensic Digital Imaging Section. This role requires intermediate to advanced photography experience and the ability to produce accurate, high-quality work in both studio and field settings. Candidates should be proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Camera Raw, and experienced with studio lighting, off-camera flash, and on-location lighting setups. Applicants should be comfortable problem-solving in different photography shoot environments and able to work well in a collaborative team. Versatile experience in studio, event, portrait, or commercial photography is highly valued. On the job training in forensic photography will be provided.

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.

• Provide high-quality photographic services supporting SPD projects, personnel, and community events.
• Capture professional images in studio, field, and controlled lighting environments using appropriate lighting and technical setups.
• Process, organize, and prepare digital images using Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Camera Raw within a professional workflow.
• Capture latent fingerprints and other forensic evidence in laboratory settings and at crime scenes.
• Employ specialized lighting and forensic techniques to document evidence while maintaining chain-of-custody and data-integrity protocols.
• Support investigative and legal processes by fulfilling discovery requests and producing photomontages.
• Adhere to established standard operating procedures and maintain proficiency through required training and certifications.
• Participate in an on-call rotation for after-hours and emergency response.
• Perform additional duties as needed to support the Photo Unit.

Required Qualifications

Requires three years’ journey level experience in professional technical photography and photographic laboratory experience or an Associate’s degree in Technical Photography, Commercial Photography, or comparable education (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Position Requirements

• Must pass a Seattle Police Department background investigation.
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Required to lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Required to work with potentially toxic or hazardous chemicals, and in close proximately to high voltage.
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.
• This position is an onsite position; employee is expected to perform work in person. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Must have a Washington State Driver’s License.
• Required to patriciate in responding to emergency situations.

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: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

The full salary range for this position is $42.81 - $49.85 per hour.

New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $42.81 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.