Law Enforcement Officer Position

King County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Sheriff

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

King County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Sheriff

Last updated on November 08, 2024
PST Partner Agency since July 02, 2018

Vacancies: 69

Testing Deadline: December 31, 2024.

Important Information

The King County Sheriff’s Office requires candidates to complete the following steps to be considered:

Step One -Select KCSO and pass the PST Written Exam, Physical Ability Test and submit a complete and up to date Personal History Statement (PHS). Both tests must be passed in order for your scores to be sent to KCSO and a fully complete PHS completed in order to move forward in the process. This must be done by the time of your application being submitted.

Step Two -Verify that you do not meet any of the Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements. To avoid a delay in the application process with our agency, you must complete an up to date, specific and detailed personal history statement (PHS).

Step Three - Apply to KCSO – Sheriff’s Office “Entry Level Deputy Sheriff” via governmentjobs.com and submit a complete and up to date application.

* If you are in need of some assistance the King County Sheriff's Office will cover the cost to test with Public Safety Testing. To request this option, contact the KCSO Recruiter at kcsorec@kingcounty.gov.

Community Information

The King County Sheriff's Office is located in the Pacific Northwest. King County is the 14th largest (by population) county in the country, and includes the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, as well as many suburban communities and rural areas. The area offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, year-round recreation, award-winning school districts, and great quality of life. And contrary to popular belief, there are sunny days. Lots of them.

As you review this page, please note that many of the links will take you to external sites (marked with an asterisk*).

Cost of Living

Cost of living varies by region. You can run your own estimates at the CNN web site: *.

Employment

If your spouse or partner works, he or she will have plenty of employment opportunities in the area. Many large companies and non-profits are headquartered here, as well as smaller organizations.

Schools

For the kids, the school districts are exceptional and there are numerous extra-curricular activities through the schools and community groups. For the littlest ones, there are many child care options, as well as organized groups for kids and parents.

The school districts in King County include: Shoreline, Northshore, Seattle, Bellevue, Lake Washington, Kent, Highline, Auburn, Federal Way, Tahoma, Renton, Issaquah, Riverview, Snoqualmie Valley, Enumclaw, Tukwila, and Maple Valley. You can learn more about the schools at:


Recreation

There are opportunities for just about anything.

Like to hike? The Cascade Range and Olympics offer easy day hikes as well as challenging overnight trips, and they are within a short drive. And of course, the serious mountaineers will enjoy Mount Rainier.

Prefer the water? There are two major lakes, numerous smaller lakes, and many, many beaches. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all possible.

Enjoy music and culture? Seattle and the surrounding communities offer symphonies, museums, opera, theaters, local bands, jazz clubs, and even an amphitheater that attracts major concerts and performances.

Need something to do with the kids? There are sporting events featuring amateur and professional teams, multiple city, county, and state parks, local fairs and festivals (including SeaFair in July and August), as well as kid-friendly museums, aquariums, zoos, and amusement parks.

Higher Education

There are many colleges, universities, technical schools, and community colleges in and around King County. You can learn more at this Washington State web site*.

Department Information

Apply to the KCSO Entry Deputy Position via Governmentjobs.com

Ensuring the safety of people in King County is our top priority. We aim to do this in a respectful manner based on our core values of leadership, integrity, service, and teamwork. Every employee is expected to provide the best customer service by working with you to address your concerns. With over 1,000 employees, the KCSO serves the law enforcement needs of over half a million people in unincorporated areas and our twelve contract cities. The KCSO also provides police departments for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Metro Transit, and the King County International Airport. Our commitment to meeting the needs of all residents means that services such as helicopters and bomb disposal are available to King County's 1.6 million residents.

We serve unincorporated King County and operate numerous city police departments plus transit police units. (You can check out our partner police agencies here.)

We offer dozens of unique assignments that range from school or community-based positions to drug enforcement and bomb disposal. The King County Sheriff’s Office has opportunities that meet just about any deputy’s goals.

All deputies begin their career on patrol (we have no jail service requirement), providing service to the people of a particular district. Deputies are assigned to single-person patrol cars, and gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors to the area. Often, their work requires working together with these people or supporting fellow deputies in adjoining districts.

Within the rank of deputy sheriff, there are many types of service and leadership opportunities:

  • Patrol Deputy
  • City Police Officer
  • Metro Transit Police
  • Sound Transit Police
  • Community Storefront Officer
  • School Resource Officer
  • Detective
  • Master Police Officer
  • Field Training Officer
  • Other specialized units

Area Information

County: King
Population: 1.6 million
# of Staff: Sheriff's Office - 1150 (750 commissioned), DAJD - 900

Hiring Status

King County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Sheriff has 69 vacancies.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2024.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with oral board interviews conducted on a monthly basis. Those certified on the Civil Service eligibility list will be forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation and selection as vacancies occur.


Number of Current Vacancies: 65- filled by both entry and laterals.

Salary Information

The 2023 salary range for deputies is $88,670.40 - $124,155.20 annually based on a six-step system (initial hire rate + five increases based on hire date). These are the base rates for which premiums for education, longevity, and specialty assignments are awarded. Cost of living increases are made annually. The current deputy contract will expire December 2023.

•Competitive wages, including special and duty pays

•Paid academy training

•Patrol premium

•Educational incentives for degrees held

•Longevity premiums for years of service

•Paid holidays

•Vacation days

•Sick leave

•Take-home car assigned up completion of training (entry-level)

•Self-paced training program

Benefit Information

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

•Annual vacation: 0-5 years = 12 paid days; 6-8 years = 15 days; 9-10 = 16 days; 11-16 years = 20 days; 20- 25 years = an additional day per year; 26 years = 30 days

•12 paid holidays

•12 paid days of sick leave annually

•Liberal accrual of compensation time

•Patrol Longevity Pay: An additional 2% of base rate starting after 5 years, up to 16% of base rate after 25 years.

•Take-home car upon completion of training; potential annual savings in time, gas, insurance, maintenance, convenience, etc. of between $3000-$5000.

•Education Incentive up to an additional 6% of base rate

•Deputies assigned to traffic, reactive and proactive patrol for at least one full month receive an additional 1% of base rate

•Numerous other premium pays for specialty units (e.g. Detective, K-9, TAC-30, Skin Diver, etc.)

•Paid academy training

•Self-paced training program

•Basic life insurance for you and the eligible family members you enroll

•Basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for you

•King County provides all uniforms and most equipment, as well as a car per officer program.


You may purchase additional/enhanced life insurance for yourself. Employees also can participate in flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses. Other King County employee benefits include the home ownership, Making Life Easier, and mildly ill child care programs.

King County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Sheriff Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required

Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.

PST Personal History Statement

A fully complete, specific and up to date PST Personal History Statement is required at the time of application. If a PHS is not specific, up to date and completed by the time of application, you will be removed from the application process.

Minimum Age You must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application; age 21 on the date of hire.
Citizenship US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident/DACA- recipient.
High School Grad/ GED You must have a high school degree or GED.
Driver's License Required You must have a Washington State driver's license, or be able to obtain one by the date of hire.
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language You must have the ability to read, speak and write the English language fluently.
Vision Requirements Normal color vision (based on the Ishihara standard range of normal color vision as determined by the medical exam) Uncorrected vision of 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/30 with the use of glasses, hard contact lenses or soft contacts you have worn for less than one year OR Corrected vision to 20/30 or better with soft contact lenses you have worn for at least one year (in this case there is no uncorrected vision standard) OR Uncorrected vision of 20/30 or better.
College Requirement No
Other King County Sheriff does require their candidates to take the physical ability test with PST.

Able to qualify with a KCSO-issued firearm at least twice a year.

Able to successfully pass a complete background investigation to include a polygraph exam, psychological evaluation and a medical exam.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year
Request/Access Scores Weekly

King County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Sheriff Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic

  • Conviction of Driving/Physical Control Under the Influence within the last three (3)years
  • Conviction of Driving/Physical Control Under the Influence more than once will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
  • As an adult, conviction of Attempting to Elude, or Hit and Run
  • As an adult, conviction of Reckless or Negligent Driving 1st degree in the last three (3)years
  • Driving While License Suspended/Revoked, convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Drug Usage
Automatic

  • As an adult, convicted of any felony drug crime
  • Any use of heroin or methamphetamines
  • Any possession or use of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) or any other “date rape” drug (includes, but not limited to; Ketamine or Rohypnol), including giving it to others
  • Any use of illegal drugs within three (3) years of application (other than juvenile or one-time experimentation). Illegal drugs include but are not limited to; cocaine, ecstasy, molly, MDMA (club drugs), spice, mushrooms, or Khat, or illegal use of prescription drugs (including steroids).
  • Illegal use of four (4) or more different controlled substances as an adult within the past ten (10) years
  • Any instance of manufacturing or cultivating illegal drugs for the purpose of sale or distribution
  • Use of any illegal drugs while employed in a criminal justice capacity
  • Obtaining a prescription under false pretenses
  • Any instance of illegally using a drug after applying to any Law Enforcement agency
  • Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; however, to increase the likelihood of continuing in the hiring and background process, an applicant should not have used marijuana in the last 12months

Criminal Activity
Automatic

  • Any adult felony convictions
  • Any adult misdemeanor conviction for crimes involving theft, violence, or crimes of dishonesty (including, but not limited to, perjury, forgery, impersonation, bribery, witness intimidation/tampering, or tampering with evidence)
  • All other misdemeanor convictions as an adult within the last three (3) years
  • Any conviction for a sex-related crime, including crimes involving a minor or individual with a disability, including pornography
  • Any instance of required registration as a sex offender, regardless of conviction status
  • Any other crime conviction of which disqualifies the candidate from the legal right to possess a firearm under state or federal law
  • Any conviction for animal cruelty as defined by RCW 16.52.205
  • Any conviction for a violation of a court No-Contact, Protection, or Harassment Order
  • Any candidate currently named as a Respondent in any No-Contact, Protection, or Harassment DV Order

Other
Automatic Domestic Violence
• Any conviction for any crime classified as a Domestic Violence offense

Military
•  A dishonorable discharge.
Potential

THE FOLLOWING ARE BEHAVIORS THAT WILL BE GIVEN CASE-BY-CASE CONSIDERATION.


Drugs

• As a juvenile, convicted of any drug crime

• Huffing of commercial chemical agents (glue, paint, etc.) Trafficking (selling, offering to sell, or transporting for sale) any illegal drug.


Criminal Activity

  • All criminal activity not listed as an automatic disqualification, whether discovered or not, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Any solicitation, or pattern of solicitation of prostitute(s).
  • Any juvenile convictions (felony or misdemeanor).


Driving
• 2 or more at fault collisions within the last 5 years.
• 3 or more moving violations within the last 5 years.
• Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

Military
• Any discharge from any military service under other than honorable circumstances.

Law Enforcement Certification
• Any suspension, revocation, or denial of a Law Enforcement certificate (CJTC/POST) in any state.