DCI Specialist

Salary : $41,031.66 Annually
Location : Newton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02337
Department: Sheriff
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start - benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description
The Catawba County Sheriff's Office is recruiting a detail-oriented professional with strong customer service and administrative skills to fill the role of DCI Specialist supporting the gun permitting program. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the accurate processing of firearm purchase and concealed carry permit applications by conducting background checks, operating the Division of Criminal Information (DCI) terminal, and performing fingerprinting services. The DCI Specialist will assist citizens, attorneys, and internal partners while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations governing firearm permits.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, maintain, and operate the DCI terminal
• Investigate, determine, and process concealed carry and firearm purchase permit applications for approval or denial
• Maintain and modify concealed carry and firearm purchase permits in the DCI federal system
• Fingerprinting concealed carry applicants, sex offenders, juvenile offenders, and various individuals
• Assisting the public with various needs and give accurate information and appropriate direction
• Process daily deposit and maintain ledger
• Attend required training and seminars to stay up to date with gun laws and statutes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field; OR
• Associate's degree in Business Administration or related field and 1 year of office/clerical experience; OR
• High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of office/clerical experience

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen in order obtain DCI certification
• Possess upon hire or obtain within a reasonable timeframe of hire and maintain the following certifications: DCI - 5 modules, Notary Public, CJ Leads, and eWarrants
• Flexibility: ability to accept and adapt to constant changes in laws, etc.
• Outstanding customer service and communication skills
• Ability to decipher written laws and present to citizens in an understandable way
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• Efficient computer skills - ability to key data, research, and run reports
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• This is considered Light Work, lifting to 25 pounds.

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

• Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
• Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
• Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
• Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

• Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee's children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee's adult children (ages 18-26) or employee's spouse if covered on the county's health insurance.
• Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

• Annual Leave: Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
  • New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
• Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Time off for activities that support our local schools.
• Continuing educational assistance.
• Discount tickets to recreational venues.
• Employee appreciation days/activities.
• Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

• Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
• 401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
• Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
• Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
• Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee's annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
• Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
• Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

01


What experience do you have working with the public/customer service?
02


What experience do you have working in permitting (of any kind), fingerprinting, and running background checks?
03


An essential function of this position is to operate the Division of Criminal Information (DCI) system. In order to operate the DCI system, you must pass an extensive criminal background check. Have you ever been convicted of any unlawful offense? If so, please explain fully here, including type of offense, and date(s) of conviction.
Required Question