Senior Identification Specialist - Sheriff

Wake County; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 72,724,000 - 89,114,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Senior Identification Specialist to supervise Identification Specialists, ensure quality fingerprinting, and oversee arrestee processing during supervisor absence. You will train new staff and manage daily workflows for a small team.

Location: Public Safety Center Raleigh, NC. Employment Type: Regular. Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm. Posting includes necessary certifications and NC-DIC requirements within 12 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physical, Natural or Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field
• Six months experience in the science of fingerprint identification
• Successful completion of a fingerprint comparison course within 12 months of employment
• NC Division of Criminal Information certification required within 12 months of employment - Must maintain current certification thereafter
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Responsibilities

• Review officer submitted information and interview arrestees to gain biographical arrest data
• Input data into applicable databases
• Use Livescan technology to fingerprint and photograph statutorily authorized arrestees
• Submit arrestee information, fingerprints and DNA samples to the SBI
• Review collected fingerprints to ensure quality and clarity
• Perform fingerprint verification and identification
• Capture fingerprints from all arrestees presented
• Utilize digital fingerprint devices and programs to verify the identity of the arrestee based on fingerprint ten-print comparison
• Operate a Division of Criminal Information (DCI) Terminal
• Complete required DCI certification training and maintain that certification thereafter
• Access DCI terminal to obtain prior arrest record on arrestees
• Examine record for wants or warrants and relay that information to the appropriate enforcement authority
• Address staffing issues when staff call out
• Provide direction for squad members in assigned functions
• Review work completed by staff and make/submit corrections as needed
• Train new Identification Specialists
• Confer with the Training Coordinator regarding training goals and program completion requirements
• Provide direct training supervision of new staff members and address trainee performance issues as they arise

Skills

Fingerprint identification

Staff supervision

Live Scan fingerprinting

Data entry

Education

Bachelor's degree in Physical, Natural or Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field

Tools

Live Scan System

DCI Terminal

Fingerprint databases

Job description

What You'll Be Doing

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is seeking applicants to join our team as our next Senior Identification Specialist. In this role, you will supervise Identification Specialists in the absence of a supervisor to ensure the quality and accuracy of all criminal fingerprint cards taken within their shift; verify all arrestee identifications as well as oversee the daily work activities of approximately four employees during absence of the assigned supervisor. You will obtain and establish an arrest record resulting from a criminal arrest; fingerprint arrestees utilizing the Live Scan Fingerprint System; access a variety of confidential data files by entering personal arrestee information into the booking system to establish a criminal arrest history and record as well as provide training to newly hired Identification Specialists on how to obtain fingerprints, how to create a criminal record and how to make a positive identification on an arrestee in custody.

What You'll Be Doing

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is seeking applicants to join our team as our next Senior Identification Specialist. In this role, you will supervise Identification Specialists in the absence of a supervisor to ensure the quality and accuracy of all criminal fingerprint cards taken within their shift; verify all arrestee identifications as well as oversee the daily work activities of approximately four employees during absence of the assigned supervisor. You will obtain and establish an arrest record resulting from a criminal arrest; fingerprint arrestees utilizing the Live Scan Fingerprint System; access a variety of confidential data files by entering personal arrestee information into the booking system to establish a criminal arrest history and record as well as provide training to newly hired Identification Specialists on how to obtain fingerprints, how to create a criminal record and how to make a positive identification on an arrestee in custody.

Essential Functions

• Review officer submitted information and interview arrestees to gain biographical arrest data
• Input data into applicable databases
• Use Livescan technology to fingerprint and photograph statutorily authorized arrestees
• Submit arrestee information, fingerprints and DNA samples to the SBI
• Review collected fingerprints to ensure quality and clarity
• Perform fingerprint verification and identification
• Capture fingerprints from all arrestees presented
• Utilize digital fingerprint devices and programs to verify the identity of the arrestee based on fingerprint ten-print comparison
• Operate a Division of Criminal Information (DCI) Terminal
• Complete required DCI certification training and maintain that certification thereafter
• Access DCI terminal to obtain prior arrest record on arrestees
• Examine record for wants or warrants and relay that information to the appropriate enforcement authority
• Address staffing issues when staff call out
• Provide direction for squad members in assigned functions
• Review work completed by staff and make/submit corrections as needed
• Train new Identification Specialists
• Confer with the Training Coordinator regarding training goals and program completion requirements
• Provide direct training supervision of new staff members and address trainee performance issues as they arise

About Our Team

With a wide array of services, Wake County Government is at the heart of a rapidly growing and diverse area offering residents, employees and visitors exciting opportunities to live, work, grow, and play. Wake County Government employs approximately 4500 employees and approximately 1000 of those are employed by the Sheriff's Office which provides Law Enforcement services throughout the community. With over 850 square miles of area and over 1 million residents, the Wake County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for those in the unincorporated areas of the County. For more information about Wake County Government, visit www.wake.gov and the Wake County Sheriff's Office at www.wake.gov/sheriff.

Required

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Physical, Natural or Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field
• Six months experience in the science of fingerprint identification
• Successful completion of a fingerprint comparison course within 12 months of employment
• NC Division of Criminal Information certification required within 12 months of employment - Must maintain current certification thereafter
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Ability to handle high stress situations calmly and effectively
• Ability to accomplish tasks and processes accurately and completely
• Ability to lead and guide others to develop new skills or knowledge that will enhance their work
• Ability to actively participate as a member of a team to move toward the completion of goals
• Knowledge of systems and procedures obtained through prior work experience or education

About This Position

Location: Public Safety Center Raleigh, NC 27601

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm

Hiring Range: 25.38 - 31.10

Market Range: 25.38 - 36.83

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 10/7/2026

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026. In addition to being Wake County's seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina's most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County's FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.