Support Specialist

The Grays Harbor County Civil Service Commission is establishing a Support Specialist Eligibility List.  A Support Specialist is a noncommissioned civilian employee in the Sheriff’s Office.  Salary range for Support Specialist in 2026 is $5,384 to $6,359 per month, plus benefits.   There are currently two potential openings, both could require shift work, including weekends and holidays.  (Shift differential pay adds $1.50/hour to hours worked between 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.)  These specialist positions could be assigned either to the Corrections Division (duties to include booking, release, jail control) or to administrative duties in the Sheriff’s Office.  All positions require successful completion of a 12-month probationary period.  Please read this entire notice to clearly understand the application and testing process.  Applications to test must be received or postmarked by the closing date of August 7, 2026.  Test dates: written exam on August 15th and oral board (interview) on August 27^th/28^th.

A Support Specialist may be assigned to functions within any Division of the Sheriff’s Office wherein their qualified abilities are needed.  Some assignments may require uncustomary shifts and days off.

Processing of paperwork which is related to the business office, the Patrol Section, and Jail/Corrections Division or Civil Division.  Performance of tasks as requested by immediate supervisors.  Rendering assistance to Department personnel when requested, when such action will not interfere with their specific duties.   Performance of any other duty or assignment as prescribed by the Sheriff.  Function within the Policies and Procedures of the Sheriff’s Office.   Specific assignments may include:

A.Receptionist:  Includes the courteous and efficient manner of greeting the public in person and by phone; issuance of special permits to the public (Concealed Pistol Licenses, Specialized Forest Products Permits, etc.)

B.Corrections Division Security Control System:  Requires the general operation of the security control functions as well as communication with Corrections Officers and the general public to include assisting with information, bail and other Corrections Division clerical needs.

C.Warrants: The receiving, inputting, processing and removal of warrants from the local and state systems.  Requires the following of warrant processing procedures both written and verbal.

D.Corrections Records: Includes the receiving, processing and coordination of inmate booking information.  Includes the following of I.D. procedures both written and verbal.

E.Evidence:  Includes the receiving of evidence and the processing, security and logging of such into and out of evidence areas.

F.Civil:  Includes the assistance needed by the Chief Civil Deputy in the processing, filing and coordination of civil needs.  Includes the following of civil procedures both written and verbal.

G.Accounting:  Includes the assistance needed by the Administrative Accountant in the processing, filing and coordination of the accounting process for the department.  

H.Criminal Records:  Includes the processing of law incident reports, citations, notice of infractions, transcription of taped statements/reports, typing correspondence.

I.Public Disclosure:  Receive, track and process requests for public disclosure for records from all divisions of the department.

A.Be a citizen of the United States or lawful permanent resident.

B.Be at least 18 years of age on testing date.

C.No record of felony conviction.

D.No record of gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor conviction for crime involving controlled substances or physical harm.

E.Must be able to type 40 words per minute accurately.

F.Must have high school or GED diploma.

GMust have clerical skills relating to numbers, dates, filing and communication of relative information to other staff members.

H.Must have the ability to take directions well and to follow through with same.

I.Must be able to perform well under pressure with little supervision.

J.Must always maintain a neat, clean, business-like appearance.

K.Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license if duties require driving.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

A.Knowledge of basic Microsoft programs to include Word, Excel, Access and Publisher.

B.Ability to learn to utilize the Office’s computer programs through on-the-job training.

To Apply:  A job description and a link to apply for Support Specialist testing are available at  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/graysharbor.  This link will close on the application’s closing date, therefore save a copy of this notice to refer to throughout the exam process for times and locations.  Closing date for digital applications is 3:00 p.m., August 7, 2026.  You may also apply through the Civil Service Commission webpage at  https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/civil_service_commission/index.php.  Closing date for these applications is also August 7^th; those applications must be mailed (or emailed) to Chief Examiner Ballou, received or postmarked no later than August 7^th.  

Examination Process: Applicants will be given three separate exams: a written exam, a pre-eligibility background exam (email), and an oral board interview. Photo ID is required for admittance. Makeup tests will not be given. Applicants must pass each test to be eligible to continue in the exam process.

Test 1:   Written Exam on August 15, 2026

• Location:        Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 9:45 a.m. in upstairs meeting room.  
• Electronic devices to remain in your vehicle.
• Exam, with 100 possible points, covers vocabulary, word usage, punctuation, spelling, math, and filing.
• Must score 70% or better to pass and qualify for Test 2 (PEBE).
• 1 hour allowed for exam.

Test 2:Pre-Eligibility Background Exam (PEBE) 

• Issued via email to those passing the written exam.  Return to Examiner per exam’s included instructions.
• This exam is a 30-question background questionnaire.
• Timely submittal of the PEBE is required to advance to the oral board exam.

Test 3:  Oral Board (OB) Interview on August 27/28, 20266

• Location:        Forestry Building, 310 W. Spruce Ave. in Montesano; sign-in on 2^nd floor.
• Those qualified for the OB will receive appointment information via email.
• Score of 70% is required to pass the OB and advance to placement on the Support Specialist Eligibility List.

Veteran’s Preference Points:  Veteran’s points will be added to passing final scores, if applicable.  Veterans must have had an honorable discharge and must not yet have been employed by the state of Washington or any of its political subdivisions (e.g., counties, public utilities, public schools, or municipal corporations). This guideline stands even if points were not used in that hiring process. (See RCW 41.04.010.)  If claiming veteran’s preference points, please submit a copy of the DD214 or NGB22 discharge papers with your Application for Examination.  

Placement on the Support Specialist Eligibility List:  The names of eligible applicants will be listed on the Support Specialist Eligibility List 2026 in descending order of final scores.  It is the responsibility of those on the eligibility list to inform the Civil Service Commission of any changes in their contact information.  Failure to do so is cause for removal from the list.

Selection Procedure:  As openings in the Support Specialist classification occur, the Chief Examiner will certify names from the eligibility list to the Sheriff for consideration in filling those positions.  During the ensuing portion of the hiring process, applicants will be subject to a departmental interview, background and criminal history investigations, as well as polygraph, psychological, and physical examinations.  

Grays Harbor County is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary : $64,608 - $76,308