Entry Level Deputy Sheriff

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer paid premiums for health

Take-home car after training

Paid time off accrual

Deputy Sheriff Benefits Group

Job summary

King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is hiring Deputies to patrol unincorporated areas and support 13 contract city police departments and transit police agencies. The role emphasizes leadership, integrity, service and teamwork across a diverse community and requires successful completion of a multistep hiring process.

Entry Deputy cadets receive sponsorship to BLEA and competitive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical/dental/vision for dependents, a take-home car after training, and

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must be able to read, speak and write English fluently.
• Must be at least 20.5 years old at time of application.
• Pass required GSI Law Enforcement written exam and PAT.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Patrol a designated area of the county and respond to calls for service.
• Interview victims and witnesses, secure and gather evidence.
• Complete administrative tasks such as incident and arrest reports.
• Investigate family disputes and maltreatment of children.
• Respond to calls involving individuals with behavioral health challenges.
• Be a resource to the community and participate in community activities.
• Testify in court and present facts and observations accurately.

Skills

Verbal communication

Problem solving

De-escalation

Integrity

Active listening

Diversity awareness

Conflict management

Public speaking

Map reading

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Basic computer skills

Job description

Summary

Make a Difference as a KCSO Deputy! The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) mission is to be a trusted partner in fighting crime and improving the quality of life for our residents and guests. Deputies serve many different communities, including unincorporated King County, 13 contract city police departments, and transit police agencies. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with a commissioned staff of more than 700, we are among the largest sheriff's departments in the country. We are seeking individuals who share our values: Leadership, Integrity, Service and Teamwork!

Training & Benefits

Entry Deputy cadets begin their career with a generous salary package and sponsorship to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). KCSO Deputy Benefits includes:

• 100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental and vision for you and your dependents.


• Take-home car upon completion of training


• Liberal accrual of compensation time


• For more information about medical benefits go to the Deputy Sheriff Benefits Group.

Who May Apply

This position is open to the public.

Hiring Process

• STEP 1 – TEST VIA WWW.PUBLICSAFETYTESTING.COM
  
  
  • Pass the GSI Law Enforcement written exam.
  
  
  • Pass the physical ability test (PAT).
  
  
  • Complete the personal history statement (PHS).
  
  


• STEP 2 – APPLY VIA WWW.GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM
  
  
  • Applications must be complete, detailed, and current within 6-months. We do not need a cover letter or resume. We will not accept "please see resume".
  
  
  • PST scores must be available within 30 days from date of application.
  
  
  • The PHS is required and will be evaluated at time of application.
  
  


• STEP 3 – ORAL BOARD EXAM
  
  
  • Candidates who meet all application requirements will be invited to self-schedule an oral board exam.
  
  
  • Candidates who pass the oral board will advance to the background investigation.
  
  


• STEP 4 – KCSO BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
  
  
  • Candidates who pass the oral board will receive a link to complete the electronic statement of personal history (eSOPH) packet.
  
  
  • A fully completed eSOPH must be submitted to move forward.
  
  
  • A thorough background investigation is required, including a polygraph, medical and psychological exam.
  
  


• STEP 5 – ENTRY DEPUTY ELIGIBLE REGISTER
  
  
  • Candidates who pass steps 1 – 4 will be placed on the Entry Deputy Eligible Register.
  
  
  • Deputy Sheriff vacancies will be filled from the Entry Deputy Eligibility Register in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
  
  

Job Duties

All deputies begin their career on patrol. Jail service is not required. Our deputies gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors in the area. Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Patrol a designated area of the county and respond to calls of service.


• Interview victims and witnesses, secure and gather evidence.


• Complete all administrative tasks such as incident and arrest reports.


• Investigate family disputes, reports of maltreatment of children.


• Respond to calls of service involving persons with social or behavioral problems.


• Be a resource to the community and seek opportunities to participate in community activities.


• Testify in court and present facts and observations accurately and objectively.

Basic Requirements

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• You must be a United States citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident or deferred action childhood arrival (DACA) recipient.


• You must have the ability to read, speak and write in the English language fluently.


• You must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application.


• Pass with a 70% or above the GSI Law Enforcement Officer written exam with Public Safety Testing, as well as the physical testing within 30 days of applying.


• You must have a high school degree or a GED.


• Verify that you do not meet any of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements.


• You must have a sense to meet all KCSO background standards as listed in section 10.14 of the Civil Service Rules. Background requirements will be evaluated throughout the hiring process.

Incumbents Will Have Demonstrated Proficiency In The Following Skills And Abilities

• Skilled in verbal communication with the ability to be clear and direct.


• Skilled in problem solving under stressful conditions.


• Ability to intervene effectively in high intensity situations, using de-escalation skills.


• Ability to act with integrity on and off duty.


• Skilled in empathic and active listening.


• Ability to relate to people and communities from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds with respect.


• Skilled in working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with chemical dependency and/or behavioral health challenges.


• Ability to manage conflicts and work effectively with others.


• Ability to represent the King County Sheriff’s Office through effective inter-personal relations with the public and business community.


• Ability to follow maps well and familiarize self in assigned patrol area.


• Ability to maintain physical fitness, self-care and manage stress.


• Ability to write clearly, using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.


• Basic computer skills are required to complete administrative tasks.

This position is represented by the King County Police Officer Guild (KCPOG). This position is eligible for overtime. Deputies are scheduled for day, swing, or graveyard shifts. Shifts are determined based on need and assigned location. This position is an open and continuous recruitment.

Benefits

The King County Sheriff's Office offers competitive wages and a generous benefits package that includes fully paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents. We also provide fully paid premiums for basic life insurance, a generous vacation and sick leave program, and membership in Washington State's LEOFF retirement plan.

More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/employees/benefits/YourKingCountyBenefits.aspx

King County’s Vision, Mission, And ACTIVATE Values Unite Us

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.