Entry Deputy Sheriff

County of Thurston; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plans

Paid training

Job summary

A local government agency in Olympia is seeking a dedicated police officer to patrol designated areas, enforce laws, and conduct investigations. Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be at least 21 years old, and have the ability to pass a comprehensive background check, including psychological and polygraph examinations. This role involves responding to emergencies, aiding citizens, and ensuring public safety. The County offers opportunities for professional growth and values equal opportunity in hiring.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be a US Citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Minimum age of 21 years at time of appointment.
• Must hold a valid Washington State Driver's license.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas to deter crime.
• Responds to reports of possible crime.
• Conducts ongoing investigations.
• Completes incident and arrest reports.
• Issues citations for traffic and parking violations.

Skills

Ability to read, write, and speak English

Ability to pass physical and written tests

Skills in emergency first aid

Strong investigative skills

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Tools

Radar unit

Police radio

Job description

***Those who have successfully passed the written and physical ability tests will be contacted by Thurston County Civil Service with further instructions as needed***

All initial written and physical ability testing for entry-level candidates is conducted by Public Safety Testing, Inc. (PST). Visit their website at www.publicsafetytesting.com for instructions on how to get started. Test dates are available on a continuous basis; check the PST website for test schedule and locations, or call 1-866-447-3911.

Applications are not accepted from individuals who have not successfully passed both the written examination and physical ability test.

TYPICAL WORK

• Patrols a designated area of the county in a patrol car and/or on foot to deter and discover crime, do on-the-scene investigations at crime scenes, aid persons in trouble and render other public services as needed.
• Patrols a designated area of the county in a patrol car, boat, or on a motorcycle to enforce traffic and parking ordinances and investigate accidents; operates a radar unit to discover speed violations; routinely checks vehicle identification against current list of stolen vehicles and identification of violator drivers against list of outstanding arrest warrants.
• Issues citations to violators of state laws and county ordinances; serves warrants of arrest; arrests persons on misdemeanors and felony charges; handcuffs and searches arrested persons and secures their custody; completes necessary reports concerning alleged crimes, circumstances of arrest, and available evidence and witnesses.
• Executes on writs of attachment, writs of restitution, and writs of execution.
• Responds to reports of possible crime and takes action as the situation requires to secure the scene; interviews victims and witnesses, gathers evidence and arrests suspects; completes incident and arrest reports; investigates persons suspected of being engaged in crime, ascertains and secures evidence pertaining to alleged crime, and arrests suspects for probable cause.
• Reports to scenes of accidents; administers emergency first aid and summons aid cars in other patrol units for assistance in treating the injured and controlling the scene; interviews principals and witnesses, makes general drawings of accident scenes noting details, and completes a standard accident report; issues citations or makes arrests as the situation warrants.
• Investigates and assists drivers in stalled vehicles and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries, gives information on laws and ordinances, and attempts to resolve the problem or to direct them to proper authorities.
• When assigned to the jail, has responsibility for the care and custody of inmates incarcerated therein and maintains security of the jail as prescribed by standard operating procedures; performs guard duty at hospitals and in court; transfers prisoners to and from jails and courts.
• Does thorough investigations of reported crimes appropriate to their assignments; interviews victims and witnesses; locates, arrests, and interviews suspects; arranges line-up for victim and witness identification; gathers evidence and conducts necessary searches; prepares case file detailing all aspects of an investigation and presents it through the chain of command to a prosecuting attorney.
• Develops street contacts to obtain information about crimes; maintains contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large; does undercover and decoy work; and checks known and possible stolen property outlets, such as pawn shops and junkyards.
• Testifies in court.
• May perform specialized duties depending on individual officer's background and ability and the needs of the department.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Must be a US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with the ability to read, write, and speak the English language as required by RCW 41.14.100.
• Minimum age of 21 years at time of appointment.
• Must hold or obtain valid Washington State Driver's license.
• Must meet Thurston County Civil Service Pre-Employment Screening Standards.
• Acceptable scores on Civil Service skills examinations.
• Must meet the Sheriff's Office Employment Standards and be willing to submit to and pass a thorough background investigation to include a polygraph examination and psychological evaluation.
• Must meet the current physical standards adopted by the Sheriff's Office.
• If you are claiming Veterans' Scoring Criteria status (Veterans' Preference), provide a copy of your DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22 with your materials as well as a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration. If you do not have your DD-Form 214, please provide a copy of your separation orders and a letter from your commander or S1 with your materials as well as a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration.

Contact Person: Bobby Frye, Chief Examiner, [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

HOW TO APPLY

In order to be considered for employment, interested individuals must first take and pass a written examination and physical ability test. All initial written and physical ability testing for entry level candidates is conducted by Public Safety Testing, Inc. (PST). Visit their website at www.publicsafetytesting.com for instructions on how to get started. Test dates are available on a continuous basis; check the PST website for test schedule and locations, or call 1-866-447-3911 if you don't have access to the Internet. Applications will not be accepted from individuals who have not successfully passed both the written examination and physical ability test.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by Thurston County Civil Service with further instructions as needed.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at [phone]. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.