Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is establishing a list for Deputy Sheriff.  Registers may be established on a quarterly basis.

**Lateral Candidates DO NOT need to test with National Testing Network. If you are a current law enforcement officer in the State of Washington and are interested in a lateral opportunity, please contact Pierce County Civil Service at [email protected]**

If you plan on taking the Frontline National/Deputy Sheriff written exam for Deputy Sheriff in another state, and that state or testing location does not offer the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) required for Washington State, please contact Civil Service at [email protected] to discuss options for the PAT.

Salary Information: $5,821- $7,701/month

Benefit Information:

Vacation leave:  Upon completion of 13 pay cycles (approximately six months) employees receive six days of vacation leave.  Vacation accrues at the rate of 12 days per year initially, up to a maximum of 30 days per year.

Sick leave:  Employees receive six days of sick leave upon completion of 13 pay cycles (approximately six months).  Sick leave is accrued at the rate of one day per month.

Holidays:  Pierce County employees enjoy twelve paid holidays.

Medical:  Excellent choices of medical plans which include vision and prescription drug coverage are available for the employee and dependents.

Dental:  Choice of dental programs which include orthodontic coverage for the employee and dependents.

Life insurance:  County paid life insurance for all full time/full benefit employees is effective the first day of employment.  Additional life insurance is available at the employee’s expense.

Retirement:  Pierce County employees participate in one of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems plans.  Employees and the County contribute jointly to the plan.

Social Security and Industrial Insurance:  Employees are covered by Social Security and the State Industrial Insurance Act.

In Addition:  Pierce County offers its employees an Employee Assistance Program which includes legal service access, Deferred Compensation, a Wellness Program, access to a credit union, commute assistance including transit subsidies, a variety of on-going training programs, direct payroll deposit, access to long term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

NOTE:  The provisions of the bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Department Information:
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is a “full service agency” that provides law enforcement, jail, court security, civil processing services to all areas of unincorporated Pierce County and the contract cities of Edgewood and University Place.  We serve the second largest county in the State of Washington with over 795,245 residents county wide, 375,545 of which live in unincorporated areas.  Unincorporated areas in Pierce County include Parkland, Spanaway, Graham, South Hill, Frederickson, Purdy, Vaughn, Key Peninsula, and many of the areas surrounding the cities of Bonney Lake, Puyallup, Eatonville, and Roy.

Our department consists of 300 commissioned officers that serve unincorporated areas, plus 6 commissioned officers in the City of Edgewood and 16 commissioned officers in the City of University Place.  Our department is also comprised of 309 commissioned corrections officers and 61 civilian employees.

Work as a patrol deputy in an urban area or in a rural wilderness.  Compete for a wide variety of specialized assignments:

Canine unit Civil unit Community support team Domestic violence unit Fugitive warrant unit

Gang unit Juvenile investigations Narcotics investigations Special investigations Traffic enforcement

Plus many, many more!

In addition, we offer opportunities with additional duty assignments:

Marine services Search and rescue SWAT Swift water rescue

Air operations Bicycle unit Clandestine (meth) lab team Dive team Hazardous devices (bomb squad)

County Information:
Pierce County boasts tremendous outdoor opportunities with miles of Puget Sound waterfront, Mt. Rainier National Park, 361 fresh-water lakes, alpine and cross-country skiing a short drive away and nationally ranked year-round golf courses in the vicinity, while also offering all the urban amenities.  Major industries include health care, technology, agriculture, timber products and military installations.  Pierce County is home to the City of Tacoma, Joint Base Lewis- McChord, several suburban cities, small towns and rural communities as well as forests and farmland.  Pierce County’s moderate climate combined with a contrasting geography of water and mountains encourage a wealth of year round outdoor activities such as sailing, kayaking, fishing, skiing and hiking.

Job Description:
This is responsible, general duty and investigatory law enforcement work involving the protection of life/property and the preservation of the peace for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.  Work is performed in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the Sheriff’s Department, and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.  See Core Job Description at the end of this document.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Required physical activities include walking, standing, sitting, digital dexterity, talking, hearing and seeing.  A Deputy Sheriff will assist in any emergency situation, and must maintain physical ability to affect a forcible arrest or deal with physical, confrontive or combative situations including use of reasonable force up to and including deadly force.  Required physical activities during those times are running, jumping, balancing, climbing, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, crouching, reaching, lifting, carrying, dragging, throwing, pushing/pulling both objects and people.  A Deputy Sheriff must be able to clearly distinguish and identify colors, accurately and safely discharge a firearm (either hand) with unassisted vision, safely drive a vehicle with unassisted vision, clearly discriminate electronic, mechanical and human sounds, and operate other required equipment in a safe and lawful manner for the protection/safety of the public, self and of other employees.

Contact Information:
Sherry Hieb
Civil Service Chief Examiner
253-798-6250
[email protected]

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Job Requirements

 

Age : At least age 21 at time of appointment

US Citizen : Yes or lawful permanent resident (at time of application) per RCW 41.14.100

High School Grad/GED : Yes

Valid WASHINGTON State Driver’s License : Valid Washington Driver’s License at time of appointment and be able to provide proof of insurability

Ability to Read/Speak English : Yes, able to read and write English per RCW 41.14.100

• Ability to successfully complete Pierce County Sheriff’s Department background investigation.
• Condition of continued employment: Ability to pass the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission physical fitness requirements at time of entrance to the Basic Law Enforcement Academy
• Condition of continued employment: Entrance to and successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy as required by RCW 43.101.
• Pierce County will consider reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, if requested. Notify the Chief Examiner at (253) 798-6250, at least one week prior to the need.

 

Tattoo Policy : It is prohibited for members of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department to have tattoos on their face, neck, head, ears, hands or wrists that are visible when wearing the authorized uniform or standard work attire. The exception is a single inconspicuous band tattoo on a single finger. Visible tattoos are prohibited if they are obscene, offensive, sexually suggestive, profane or discriminatory in any way towards persons on the basis of race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, age, gender, or disability.

Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Background Investigation : The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department conducts a background investigation on candidates for positions in the Sheriff’s Department. Such an investigation may include, but is not limited to:

• Reference Checks
• Personal Interviews
• Oral Board Interview
• Pre-Offer Polygraph Examination
• Neighborhood Check
• Submission of Fingerprints
• Work History Check
• Criminal, Driving, and Financial History Checks
• Pre-Offer Drug Screening UA
• Post-Offer Psychological Evaluation
• Post-Offer Medical Examination

As part of the Background process, candidates will be required to successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s physical ability test.

 

Pierce County Sheriff’s Department – Standards on Illegal Drug Possession :

• No marijuana use/consumption within the past two (2) years; and
• Any marijuana use must not have exceeded twenty-five (25) times in the past five (5) years; and
• No use of all other illegal drugs in the last three (3) years; and
• Any use of all other illegal drugs must not have exceeded four (4) times total in the past ten (10) years; and
• No use of illegal drugs by needle injection (excluding steroids); and
• No illegal use of steroids within three (3) years; and
• No illegal cultivation, manufacture, transportation, distribution, selling of marijuana in the last five (5) years for profit or pattern of criminal behavior.
• No illegal cultivation, manufacture, transportation, distribution, selling of any illegal controlled substance (excluding marijuana) in the last ten (10) years for profit or pattern of criminal behavior.
• Prescription drug misuse will be looked at on a case by case basis.

It is understood that many candidates have experimented on a limited basis with illegal controlled substances in their past, and this behavior may not be an accurate indication of future performance with PCSD. Possession of any controlled substance outside the above standard, that occurred more than ten (10) years prior to making the register, will be considered, upon request of the candidate.

 

Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Background Standards :

• No Adult Felony Convictions;
• No Adult Domestic Violence Statute Convictions;
• No Misdemeanor Convictions within three (3) years;
• Juvenile Convictions will be carefully reviewed;
• No Pattern of Criminal Behavior.
• Driving record does not exceed the six (6) point driving violation limit for the 36 months preceding the date of this application. (see violations and points below)

The following driving standards represent the maximum allowable violations of driving laws and must not exceed six (6) total points in the last 36 months. DQ = Driving violation automatically disqualifies applicant if it occurred within the last 36 months.

Violation	Points		Violation	Points
Negligent homicide Reckless driving Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs Hit and run (attended) Denial of issuance of driver’s license/license revoked Negligent Driving (1st degree) Negligent Driving (2nd degree) Hit and run (unattended) Driving while driver’s license suspended	DQ DQ DQ DQ DQ DQ 5 6 4		Moving violations involving an accident Infraction No Proof of Insurance Moving violations not involving an accident Speeding in excess of the posted limit: 0 – 10 over 11 – 19 over 20 – 25 over over 26	4 4 2 1 2 4 5

Note: Other driving offenses not listed here will be assessed point values on a case by case basis.

Note: If you have committed illegal actions, whether or not you were caught, these actions may be grounds for disqualification. If you have questions regarding this issue, you may contact the Pierce County Civil Service Commission Office or the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Background Unit.

 

Processing Requirements of the Position :

• Willing to undergo a thorough medical examination and psychological evaluation, if required.
• Willing to undergo a polygraph examination.
• Willing to undergo a pre-offer drug screening UA.
• Able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of the position. (Please see “Core Job Description” at the end of the announcement)
• Have not been removed for cause from an employment register for any position in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department during the past 12 months from the date of this application.

 

Selection Procedure :

• All interested applicants must complete an application and successfully pass the written and physical fitness tests administered by NTN (www.nationaltestingnetwork.com).
• Applicant must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the video and reading sections of the written exam. Applicant must pass the report writing section and the physical fitness test. The Physical Fitness Test includes: a mile and a half run, a 300m sprint, push-ups and sit-ups (minimum 160 points needed for a passing score).
• Applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a County application in order to be placed on the Civil Service employment register.
• Individuals will be ranked and placed on the Civil Service register according to their score on the video section of the written examination.
• Veterans’ scoring criteria will be granted in accordance with RCW 41.04.
• The Civil Service register will be good for one (1) year.
• The top candidates on the register will be notified by the Background Unit to begin the background investigation process.
• Candidates will receive an email from Civil Service with their score and rank on the Civil Service register. Civil Service cannot give exam information over the phone.

ATTENTION: All communication from Pierce County Civil Service is sent by email using the email address listed on your application. This may include communication that contains confidential or private information. Exam results, and if successful, an applicant’s final score and rank on the employment register is emailed. If an applicant is removed from an employment register, he/she will receive an emailed notice of removal which will include the reason and any appeal rights and procedures. If you would like to change your email address, you must send the new address to the Civil Service Office at [email protected]. You are responsible for keeping your email address updated. Email is the only form of communication/notification you will receive from Pierce County Civil Service.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : PIERCE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is the policy of Pierce County that no person shall be subjected to employment discrimination because of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.

CORE JOB DESCRIPTION – STATE OF WASHINGTON JOB TITLE: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES : Under regular supervision, performs police services in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the employing department and in compliance with governing federal, state, and local laws.

• Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksites.
• Meet the traveling requirements of the position.
• Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position.

PRIMARY AND ESSENTIAL TASKS

A. POWERS OF ARREST AND CONTROL Conduct full search of arrested persons Conduct frisk or pat down Advise persons of constitutional rights Arrest persons with a warrant Arrest persons without a warrant Handcuff suspects or prisoners Seize contraband, weapons and stolen property from suspects Execute arrest warrants Request verification of warrants before execution Inspect patrol vehicle for weapons and contraband (e.g., before and after prisoner transport) Pursue, on foot, fleeing persons (PCSD) Use of job related equipment (PCSD) B. SELF DEFENSEUSE OF FORCE Subdue physically attacking person Use weaponless defense tactics Subdue person resisting arrest Grip person tightly to prevent escape Disarm violent armed suspect Pull person out of vehicle who is resisting arrest Break up fights between two or more persons C. DEADLY FORCE Discharge firearm at person Draw weapon to protect self or third party Clean and inspect firearms Participate in firearms training Fire weapon in nighttime combat (not including training) Fire weapon in daytime combat (not including training) Fire a weapon in dark environment with flashlight in one hand D. MOTOR VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT Arrest DWI suspects Execute felony motor vehicle stop Stop vehicles to investigate, warn or arrest occupants E. EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION Engage in high speed pursuit driving in congested area Engage in high speed response driving in congested area Engage in high speed response driving off road Engage in high speed pursuit driving on open road Engage in high speed response driving on open road Operate police vehicle on ice covered road Operate police vehicle on snow covered road

F. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE Take mentally deranged persons into custody for their own protection Administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation Apply basic first aid to control bleeding Apply basic aid to unresponsive unconscious person Apply basic first aid to treat for heart attack Talk with persons attempting to commit suicide to get them to delay or stop their attempt Use protective gear to prevent contact with infectious diseases Intercede in domestic disputes to resolve, maintain peace, protect persons, etc. G. CRIME SCENE RESPONSE Collect evidence and property from crime scenes Fill out forms to document chain of custody of evidence Dust and lift latent prints Package (bag and tag) evidence Record location of physical evidence at scene Secure crime scene Initial Mark Label evidence Locate and protect latent evidence H. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION Interrogate suspects Prepare felony paperwork, i.e. probable cause statement, charge sheet “super” forms, etc. Present evidence and testimony in legal and administrative proceedings Respond to and conduct preliminary investigation of events related to: Homicide Rape Robbery Felony Assault Burglary Fatal Traffic Accident Vehicular Homicide Vehicular Assault Family Disturbance I. SPECIAL OPERATIONS Participate in raids and searches Search for a person in a darkened building or environment J. COMMUNITY INTERACTION/COMMUNICATION (PCSD) Write reports documenting work activity and/or other special projects Speak with members of the community, individually or in group situations, to further the basic community oriented mission of the department Engage in oral communication, employing verbal skills to defuse volatile or hostile situations Assist citizens in locating or obtaining resources to address problems or special needs