Entry Deputy Sheriff

Thurston County Sheriff's Office; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Thurston County Sheriff's Office is seeking entry‑level police officers to patrol county areas, conduct investigations at crime scenes, and render public safety services. The role includes traffic enforcement, warrant service, and reports on incidents and arrests.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, U.S. citizen status or eligible status, and successful completion of a background check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation. A Washington driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, or eligible to work, with ability to read, write and speak English as required.
• Minimum age 21 at appointment.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license or ability to obtain.
• Must meet Civil Service pre-employment screening standards.
• Must pass background investigation including polygraph and psychological evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned county areas in a patrol car, on foot, or other approved means to deter and investigate crime.
• Enforce laws and county ordinances; issue citations and make arrests as required; prepare incident and arrest reports.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

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; investigators 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].

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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