Police Lieutenant

City of Olympia; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Olympia, Police Department, seeks a Police Lieutenant under the direction of Chief of Police and Deputy Chief to oversee a major division, guide staff, manage budgets, and ensure accountability and transparency.

The ideal candidate demonstrates leadership, ethical conduct, strong communication with the community, and the ability to supervise, develop staff, and coordinate with other agencies. Applicants must meet state requirements and pass the promotional process.

Qualifications

• Two years progressively responsible law enforcement experience as a first level supervisor or greater
• Bachelor's degree is required
• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Ability to obtain Peace Officer Certification with the Washington State CJTC
• Background investigation, psychological and polygraph examinations

Responsibilities

• Provide management for all assigned staff.
• Develop and manage budgets for the unit.
• Coordinate activities with divisions and other agencies.
• Promote internal and external Procedural Justice.
• Ensure accountability and transparency in department operations.
• Supervise and mentor sergeants and officers.
• Represent department in meetings with government entities and the community.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Influence/Coaching

Legal knowledge

Labor agreements

Supervision

Pressure management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Under the direction of the Chief of Police and Deputy Police Chief, Lieutenants are responsible for overall management and administration of a major functional area or division within the Police Department.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate profile includes:

1. Leadership:
   • Responsible and accountable
   • Ethical
   • Loyal
   • Demonstrate and promote the mission, vision and values of the police department
2. Communication:
   • Written and Oral
   • Working relationship with the community and other departments
3. Positively influencing others:
   • Role model
   • Professional development
   • Coach and mentor
   • Demonstrate and promote a culture of fair and impartial policing
4. Knowledge of:
   • Laws, policies and practices
   • Labor Agreements
5. Supervision:
   • Creative and innovative
   • Day-to-day operations
   • Decisiveness
6. Ability to work under pressure:
   • Multi-tasking

Examination and Selection Process Timeline

• September 2, 2026 - continuous: Application Period (to be considered in the first round of applications, please apply by 11:59pm on 9/16/26)
• October 26, 2026, 1400 hours: Candidate Briefing via Zoom
• November 12, 2026: Command Skills and Abilities Promotional Test
• November 17, 2026: Civil Service Commission Certification of Promotional List
• TBD - Late November 2026: Chief's Interview

Important Information about the testing process

The examination process is designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the lieutenant. Four job-related exercises or simulations are validated by subject-matter experts in which candidate scores are integrated by a statistical process.

Important Information about the Testing Exercises

The exercises will consist of an assessment center. The assessment center will use trained assessors/raters selected by the Olympia Police Department and Civil Service. Candidates who are offered an opportunity to participate in the assessment center will receive a briefing about the nature and purpose of the testing prior to its commencement.

Important Information about Examination Scoring

In accordance with City of Olympia Civil Service Rules, candidates must pass all portions and phases of the assessment center in order to be placed on the Promotional Police Lieutenant Register. Observers may be present during testing and may observe some or all of the test components. Candidates will be ranked on the Promotional Police Lieutenant Register in final ranking score order. A candidate briefing will be conducted October 26, 2026, at 1400 hours via Zoom. Additional information about the zoom meeting will be provided. The purpose of this briefing will be to inform all candidates regarding the testing process.

Essential Functions

The information contained in this classification specification is a representative sample of essential and other functions performed in this classification. Specific essential functions are identified for position recruitment or other administrative procedures.

Examples of Duties:

1. Demonstrate leadership ability to influence staff to engage in service and activity that supports the overall Mission, Vision and Values of the Department.
2. Ensure that the Department maintains a high level of accountability and transparency.
3. Provides leadership and direction to staff about expectations and work needed to achieve the Department's strategic priorities.
4. Prepare and complete presentations to Media, City officials, community groups and other Department stakeholders about Department related activities.
5. Manages, anticipates and facilitates planning for short and long range needs of the department.
6. Represent the Department at meetings with government entities, community groups, and other City Departments regarding Departments role.
7. Manages and oversees employee conduct to ensure it is in compliance with the law, Department Policy, training standards, and collective bargaining agreements. This includes conducting investigations of matters involving allegations of serious misconduct.
8. Recommends corrective/disciplinary action or commendations as appropriate.
9. Informs Chief of Police of issues or things that may have significant impact on the Department, City and/or the community.
10. Provide management oversight to assigned staff including sergeants, officers, and civilian employees. Must possess the ability to positively influence others in their actions and performance.
11. Develop and manage budgets for assigned work unit.
12. Develop effective working relationships with employees, City staff, other law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice system, and members of the community.
13. Approve the work of assigned sergeants or other staff to include operational plans, budget expenditures, the preparation of performance improvement plans, and personnel assignments.
14. Interpret and apply policies to specific incidents.
15. Manage serious crime scenes.
16. Consistently evaluate policies and practices to ensure that they are they are contemporary and in compliance with legal standards, community values, and best practices.
17. Manage and direct Department resources related to addressing crime trends that is aligned with crime data.
18. Manage Department training needs.
19. Identify need for changes in Department policy, procedure, training and practices.
20. Promote a culture of internal and external Procedural Justice
21. Assist and mentor sergeants.
22. Coordinate the activities of assigned functional area with other divisions within the Police Department and with other agencies and jurisdictions.
23. Compile, analyze, and recommend appropriate Department actions for the implementation of crime prevention programs.
24. Serve as Community liaison for different sectors of the community. Prioritize and manage Department engagement efforts that improve relationships with community groups.
25. Research, present, and implement programs that further the Department Mission.
26. Manage and promote health and wellness of employees.
27. Manage and evaluate staffing needs for functional area or division.
28. Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police work and the laws governing arrest, custody of prisoners, search and seizure, and rules of evidence.
2. Knowledge of patrol procedures, criminal investigation techniques, criminal identification, records maintenance, and principles of management and supervision
3. Knowledge of pertinent RCW's, WAC's, and City ordinances.
4. Knowledge of court rules and procedures.
5. Knowledge of basic tactical deployment and hostage situation techniques.
6. Knowledge of budget and accounting methods.
7. Skill in the use of firearms and operation of motor vehicles in hazardous and/or emergency conditions.
8. Ability to make rapid decisions based on limited information.
9. Ability to maintain composure and take responsible action during stressful situations.
10. Ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive reports.
11. Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
12. Ability to work cooperatively with others as the leader of a service oriented team.
13. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Education/Experience:

1. Two years progressively responsible law enforcement experience as a first level supervisor or greater with a general authority law enforcement agency
2. A bachelor's degree is required.

Special Requirements:

1. A valid Washington State Driver's License.
2. Ability to obtain and maintain Peace Officer Certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
3. Successful completion of a background investigation, psychological and polygraph examinations.
4. Police Lieutenants must possess a degree of physical fitness that allows participation in confrontational and/or stressful situations.

Supplemental Information

Contacts:

1. Police Lieutenants have constant, daily contact with staff for the purpose of providing management and information sharing.
2. Successful interpersonal contact is a key element of police work.
3. A Police Lieutenant routinely communicates with individuals of all organizational levels, and often serves as a link between command staff and other staff.
4. Police Lieutenants have significant contact with all segments of society.
5. Contacts are often adversarial in nature requiring the exercise of the utmost tact, discretion, and self-control.
6. Skill in enforcing the law while maintaining friendly and cooperative relationships with members of the community is necessary for position success.

Supervision:

1. Provides management for all assigned staff.

Accountability:

1. Police Lieutenants are accountable for ensuring law enforcement activities are delivered in an effective, efficient manner according to Department policies and guidelines.

Working Conditions:

1. The majority of each work assignment is completed from an office, though field work could be required at any time.
2. Police Lieutenants may be exposed to physical and verbal abuse in circumstances requiring considerable self-control.
3. Police field work may require physical exertion, exposure to inclement weather, safety hazards and life threatening situations.
4. Lieutenants are expected to work flexible hours to meet any management need.

The City of Olympia is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.