Photographer, Senior

Photographer, Senior

Salary

$42.81 - $49.85 Hourly

Location

Airport Way Center - Building B, 2203 Airport Way South - #500, Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-01394

Department

Seattle Police Department

Opening Date

10/20/2026

Closing Date

11/10/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Language Premium

No

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position 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.

Job Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

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 Citys 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.

How to Apply:

• Fill out an application at www.seattle.gov/jobs.
• Please refer to Job Number: 2026-01394
• Attach a PDF copy of your current resume and a cover letter that provides additional information on why your skills and experience make you qualified for this job.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• If you have any questions, please contact Roth Lim at roth.lim@seattle.gov.

To find out more about the department visit: http://www.seattlepolicejobs.com

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 Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

If you are the successful applicant for this position, will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship? NOTE: The City of Seattle does not provide H1B visa sponsorship.

• Yes
• No

02

To be considered for this position you must attach both a cover letter and resume to your application. Have you attached both a cover letter and resume to your application? (NOTE: Even if you have imported your resume directly into the application field, you must still attach it. Missing one or both documents will flag your application as incomplete.

• Yes
• No

03

Answers to the following questions will help us determine whether candidates meet the minimum requirements of the position, indicating "see resume" or "see application" are not sufficient responses to the supplemental questions. (Note: blank applications and/or entering "see resume" in lieu of completing the City of Seattle application will flag your application incomplete). A complete and accurate application is required for this position. Did you update your City of Seattle application to reflect any recent changes to your experience and/or education?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs