Exceptional Entry Level Deputy Sheriff

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime eligible

Job summary

King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) is hiring Exceptional Entry Deputies. You must have completed the WA BLEA within a year or have under 12 months as a full-time officer. No PST testing required, with expedited onboarding for qualified candidates.

Deputies protect communities across unincorporated King County, contract cities, and transit police areas. The agency emphasizes leadership, integrity, service and teamwork with diverse shifts and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen, LPR, or DACA recipient.
• English reading, speaking and writing fluency required.
• Minimum age 20.5 years at application.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• PST personal history statement not older than 6 months.
• No automatic disqualifying behavior per KCSO rules.
• BLEA within 1 year or <12 months as a full-time officer; FLETC not accepted.
• Must meet Civil Service background standards throughout hiring.
• Out-of-state deputies must meet WA WAC; may require an 80-hour equivalency academy.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated areas and respond to service calls.
• Interview victims and witnesses; gather evidence.
• Complete incident and arrest reports; maintain records.
• Investigate family disputes and maltreatment cases.
• Respond to calls involving individuals with social or behavioral issues.
• Engage with the community and participate in local activities.
• Testify in court and present facts clearly.

Skills

Verbal communication

Problem solving

De-escalation

Integrity

Active listening

Community engagement

Public service

Written communication

Job description

Summary

Join the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) as an Exceptional Entry Level Deputy! KCSO Exceptional Entry Deputies will have graduated from a Basic Law Enforcement Academy that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours) within one (1) year of application or have fewer than 12 months of experience as a full-time commissioned police officer within one (1) year of application. No PST testing required! This opportunity will provide candidates who qualify with an expedited onboarding experience. To ensure success as a KCSO Deputy, the KCSO's Training Unit will review candidate experience and develop an individualized training program for our Exceptional Entry hires.

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!

Job Duties

All deputies begin their career on patrol. Jail service in 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

• 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.
• You must have a high school degree or a GED.
• Public Safety Testing (PST) personal history statement (PHS). The PHS must not be over 6-months old.
• Verify that you do not meet any of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements.
• In addition to minimum qualifications, candidates for Exceptional Entry Deputy must have successfully completed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) within one (1) year of application OR have fewer than 12-months of experience as a full-time commissioned police officer within one (1) year of application. Federal law enforcement certification (FLETC) is not accepted at this time.
• You must be able 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.
• If living outside of Washington state, you must be certified as a law enforcement officer and meet the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission WAC requirements. Out-of-state Exceptional Entry Deputies will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy upon hire.
• Documentation or certifications may be requested by HR personnel for verification purposes.

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.

Supplemental Information

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Marc Alvarado at [e-mail].

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.

Any questions regarding the position and its duties, please reach out to the KCSO Recruiter at [e-mail].

We also direct questions about the application and recruitment process to Sr. Human Resource Analyst, Marc Alvarado, at [e-mail].

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