Entry Level & Lateral Corrections Deputy, Pierce County, WA

Corrections
National Testing Network
Description
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is currently hiring for Corrections Deputy positions.  Applicants interested in joining our team can sign up with NTN for FREE!  To receive this offer and assistance on how to schedule your free test or add Pierce County at no charge, please contact NTN Support at 1-855-821-3761.  This offer only applies to candidates applying to Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Deputy.
 
Registers may be established on a monthly basis. 

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

If you plan on taking the REACT – Corrections/Corrections Deputy written exam for Corrections Deputy 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:   $5,110 – $6,621/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 this 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, 372,545 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.

Become a part of a rapidly growing division with significant future career advancement potential. Work as a corrections deputy in indirect and direct supervision areas. Compete for a wide variety of specialized assignments:

  • Background Investigator
  • Classifications Officer
  • Commissary Officer
  • Community Based Paint Crew Supervision
  • Community Based Work Crew Supervision
  • Court Escort Officer
  • Electronic Home Monitoring Program
  • Information Services Officer
  • Medical Transport Officer
  • Reception Officer
  • Recruiting Officer
  • Release Officer
  • Supply Officer
  • Training Unit Coordinator

In addition, we offer opportunities with additional duty assignments:

  • Booking Team
  • Central Control Room Operator
  • Corrections Emergency Response Team
  • Field Training Officer
  • Field Training Officer Advisor
  • Print and Photograph Officer
  • Safety Office
  • Trustee Coordinator

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 farmlands. 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 work performed to provide care and custody of adult prisoners and to maintain order and discipline among the prisoners of the Pierce County Corrections and Detention Center, a maximum-security facility. Employees in this classification are responsible for the operation of the jail on a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week basis, and the direct and indirect supervision of inmates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Monitor and control the activities of inmates, either individually or in groups.
  • Supervise inmates during mealtime feeding, visitation time, recreation, counseling and work assigned to prisoners.
  • Use independent judgment to take emergency action when necessary, including verbal de-escalation, physical and lethal uses of force.
  • Take informal action to correct inmate behavior as appropriate.
  • Conduct security checks and maintain security in all areas of the jail, as assigned.
  • Write all required reports/documentation of activity.
  • Investigate suspected rule violations.
  • Perform all physical and administrative tasks to book, search, and release prisoners.
  • Answer telephone calls and monitor jail access and egress.
  • Operate office equipment, communications equipment, personal computers and corrections automated systems.
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to people of all ages and from all social, cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
  • Perform duties of the position in a confined, controlled and high security environment.
  • Perform the functions and duties of all shifts in all required areas of the facility.
  • When commissioned and authorized, carry arms while transporting prisoners outside the jails or on other specific assigned duties.
  • Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours at assigned worksite.
  • Maintain the physical ability to deal with physical confrontive or combative situations through the use of defensive tactics, including use of reasonable force up to and including deadly force.
  • Perform the physical requirements of the position; work within the established working conditions of the position.
  • Accurately and safely discharge a firearm with either hand.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. This classification has a variety of physical requirements of varying degrees based on numerous differing work circumstances. Required physical activities include walking, standing, sitting, digital dexterity, talking, hearing and seeing. A Corrections Deputy may be exposed to physically confrontive situations, personal danger and bio-hazardous materials. A Corrections Deputy will assist in emergency situations, and must maintain physical ability to 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, twisting, balancing, climbing, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, lifting, carrying, dragging, throwing, pushing/pulling both objects and people. A Corrections Deputy must be able to clearly distinguish and identify colors, safely drive a vehicle with unassisted vision, accurately discharge a firearm (either hand) with unassisted vision, clearly and successfully discriminate electronic, mechanical and human sounds and operate required equipment in a safe and lawful manner for the protection/safety of the public, inmates, of self and of other employees.

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

 


Job Requirements

 

Age : At least age 20 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

Additional Requirements :

  • Ability to pass the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission physical fitness requirements.
  • Entrance to and successful completion of the Corrections Academy or Equivalency Academy is a condition of continuing as required by RCW 43.101.
  • Ability to successfully complete Pierce County Sheriff’s Department background investigation.
  • 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 since the register is certified; and
  • Any marijuana use must not have exceeded twenty-five (25) times in the past two (2) 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, production, distribution, selling of marijuana in the last five (5) years for profit or pattern of criminal behavior.
  • No illegal cultivation, manufacture, transportation, production, 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 non-traffic Misdemeanor Convictions within three (3) years;
  • Juvenile Convictions will be carefully reviewed;
  • No Pattern of Criminal Behavior.
  • Driving record does not exceed the ten (10) 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 ten (10) 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 (accident involved)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Hit and run (attended)
  • Denial of issuance of driver’s license/license revoked
  • Reckless driving (no accident)
  • Negligent Driving (involving an accident)
  • Negligent Driving (no accident)
  • Hit and run (unattended)
  • Driving while driver’s license suspended
  • DQ
  • DQ
  • DQ
  • DQ
  • DQ
  • 6
  • 6
  • 5
  • 5
  • 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
  • 3
  • 3
  • 1
  • .5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

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 “Essential Functions” above)
  • 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.
  • Applicants must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the video and reading sections of the written exam. The report writing section and the physical fitness test are pass/fail. The Physical Fitness Test includes: a mile and a half run, push-ups and sit-ups.
  • 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 portion 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 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.