Sheriff's Deputy - Lopez Island

San Juan County Sheriff's Office; LOPEZ COMMUNITY LAND TRUST (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Entry-level hiring bonus $15,000

Lateral hiring bonus $30,000

Job summary

San Juan County Sheriff's Office seeks dedicated law enforcement professionals to protect the San Juan Islands and serve a close-knit community.

You will engage in patrol, investigations, and public safety duties across county roads, parks, and waterways while upholding high standards of integrity and service. Island living offers unique policing challenges and strong community collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Protects life and property by enforcing federal and state laws, local ordinances, and marine regulations.
• Performs routine patrols, traffic enforcement, accident investigations, crime suppression, and crisis intervention.
• Investigates crimes, interviews witnesses, and documents incidents for court with thorough reporting.
• Conducts vehicle, boat, and foot patrols on county roads, parks, and waterways.
• Responds to civil disputes, mediates where possible, and enforces civil laws as needed.
• Serves as deputy coroner for unattended deaths.

Job description

Join the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and serve in one of the most unique and breathtaking regions in the Pacific Northwest.

As part of our dedicated team, you’ll experience the unparalleled beauty of island living while making a meaningful impact in a close-knit, supportive community. We are committed to fostering a culture of integrity, professionalism, and service excellence, where your contributions are valued, and your career development is prioritized.

At the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, you’ll find competitive compensation, comprehensive training, and opportunities for growth - all within an environment that emphasizes work-life balance and the importance of personal well-being.

Make a difference where it matters most. Join us in protecting and serving the San Juan Islands. We are currently offering a $15,000 hiring bonus for entry-level applicants and a $30,000 hiring bonus for lateral applicants.

Who should apply?

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is seeking dedicated, career-minded law enforcement professionals to join our team and make a meaningful impact in one of the most unique policing environments in the Pacific Northwest. Serving the San Juan Islands means working in small, close-knit communities where relationships and trust are the foundation of effective law enforcement. Our engaged and supportive residents value public safety and collaborate with law enforcement to maintain the high quality of life that defines island living. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly connect with the people you serve and experience the rewards of small-town policing in a breathtaking natural setting, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is the place for you.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

Protects Life and Property in San Juan County through the enforcement of all Federal and State laws, as well as local ordinances. Performs routine patrol, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, crime suppression, and crisis intervention. Reports and investigates all crimes and fills all gaps in enforcement and public safety created by the unique geographical location of San Juan County. This position works 40 hours per week.

• Maintains current knowledge of and enforces all applicable Federal laws, Washington state criminal, drug and traffic laws, County ordinances, Town codes, Federal and local marine regulations, assist with Customs and Immigration laws, assist with and enforce civil laws.
• Responds to all criminal complaints in San Juan County. Investigates these reports and determines validity of complaints, based on training and experience. Follows-up appropriately, prepares and executes search warrants, prepares proper reports and any other paperwork to document these incidents for court. Conducts interviews and interrogations of witnesses and suspects.
• Responds to and investigates all vehicular accidents in San Juan County. Initiates First Aid as necessary; investigates to determine the cause of the accident; determines the level of injury and damage to vehicles. Conducts traffic control and helps to clear the accident and reopen roads. Prepares reports, diagrams and reconstruction to be used in court, by county road crews and insurance companies. Issues verbal and written warnings, notices of infraction, citations or makes arrests as necessary.
• Responds to and investigates or assists with investigations of all other accidents, i.e. pleasure boats, commercial vessels, aircraft, construction and logging equipment, hikers, bikers, climbers, etc. Initiates First Aid as necessary. Reconstructs or determines the cause of the accident. Determines level of injury and damage to vehicles, machinery or cargo. Prepares reports, diagrams and reconstruction to be used in court , by county risk management and insurance companies. Issues verbal and written warnings, notices of infraction, citations and makes arrests as necessary.
• Conducts vehicle patrol on all county, town and private roads. Patrols federal and State parks. Stops and contacts violators and issues verbal and written warnings, notices of infraction, citations and makes arrests as necessary.
• Conducts foot patrols in town, resort areas, Federal and State parks, and areas unreachable by patrol car. Stops and contacts violators and issues verbal and written warnings, notices of infraction, citations and makes arrests as necessary.
• Conducts boat patrol on all waters of San Juan County. Stops and contacts violators and issues verbal and written warnings, notices of infraction, citations and makes arrests as necessary.
• Responds to civil disputes, land use problems, neighbor disputes, etc. Fairly and impartially listens to all parties involved. References pertinent civil laws, land use regulations, department policies and attempts to mediate and resolve these problems. Provides information on other legal avenues available to those involved. Takes appropriate legal action when necessary and reports and documents such incidents.
• Responds to all unattended deaths in San Juan County as deputy coroner. Examines the bo