Yakima commissions approve new and revised job classifications for police, jail, fire and victim services

City of Yakima commissions approved a new Community Services Specialist classification and several revisions to existing job classifications at a joint meeting April 14, 2025, moving to ease administrative burdens and broaden recruiting eligibility across police, corrections and fire staffing.

The actions, taken by the City of Yakima Charter Civil Service Commission and the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission, included creation of a lower-paid, office-focused Community Services Specialist (code 3163), expansion of lateral-hire pathways for Corrections Officer (code 6221), revisions to Victim Services Coordinator (code 3155) and Victim Services Senior Coordinator (code 3156) minimum qualifications, and updated certification expectations for a fire mechanic/Power Mechanic position (referenced in materials as code 8225 / 18225). All motions were approved by voice vote.

The new Community Services Specialist position was proposed by a police department staff member as a clerical support role to keep community service officers (CSOs) in the field. "This position won't go out in the field,…