Exceptional Entry Level Deputy Sheriff

About the role

Join the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) as an Exceptional Entry Level Deputy! KCSO Exceptional Entry Deputies will have graduated from a Basic Law Enforcement Academy that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours) within one (1) year of application or have fewer than 12 months of experience as a full-time commissioned police officer within one (1) year of application.

No PST testing required! This opportunity will provide candidates who qualify with an expedited onboarding experience.

To ensure success as a KCSO Deputy, the KCSO's Training Unit will review candidate experience and develop an individualized training program for our Exceptional Entry hires.

Make a Difference as a KCSO Deputy! The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) mission is to be a trusted partner in fighting crime and improving the quality of life for our residents and guests. Deputies serve many different communities, including unincorporated King County, 13 contract city police departments, and transit police agencies.

• Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with a commissioned staff of more than 700, we are among the largest sheriff's departments in the country. We are seeking individuals who share our values: Leadership, Integrity, Service and Teamwork!
• WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the public.
• The Exceptional Entry Deputy is a civil service classified position. The recruitment and hiring process will be administered in accordance with King County Civil Service Rules. You can access these rules at Civil Service Rules.
• For more information about application requirements go to civil-service-application-requirements.pdf
• For more information about King County Service please visit our King County Civil Service website.

Step 1 – Complete Personal History Statement (Phs) Via

• Create a Public Safety Testing (PST) profile and complete the personal history statement (PHS). This is required to move forward in the application process.
• The PST physical exam and written testing is not required for Exceptional Entry candidates. The PHS is the only requirement through PST.

Step 2 – Submit Application Via

• Applications must be complete, detailed, and current within 6-months. We do not need a cover letter or resume. We will not accept "please see resume"
• The PST Personal History Statement (PHS) is required and will be evaluated at time of application. The PHS must not be over (6) six months old.

Step 3 – Oral Board Exam

• Candidates who meet all application requirements will be invited to self-schedule an oral board exam.
• Candidates who pass the oral board will advance to the background investigation.

Step 4 – Kcso Background Investigation

• Candidates who pass the oral board will receive a link to complete the electronic statement of personal history (eSOPH) packet.
• A fully completed eSOPH must be submitted to move forward.
• A thorough background investigation is required, including a polygraph, medical and psychological exam.

Step 5 – Deputy Eligible Register

• Candidates who pass steps 1 – 4 will be placed on the Exceptional Entry Deputy Eligible Register.
• Deputy Sheriff vacancies will be filled from the Exceptional Entry Deputy Eligibility Register in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

The KCSO Training Unit will review previous experience to develop individualized Exceptional Entry onboarding for those that qualify. Out-of-state Exceptional Entry Deputies will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.

Job Duties

• All deputies begin their career on patrol.
• Jail service in not required.
• Our deputies gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors in the area.
• Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Patrol a designated area of the county and respond to calls of service.
• Interview victims and witnesses, secure and gather evidence.
• Complete all administrative tasks such as incident and arrest reports.
• Investigate family disputes, reports of maltreatment of children.
• Respond to calls of service involving persons with social or behavioral problems.
• Be a resource to the community and seek opportunities to participate in community activities.
• Testify in court and present facts and observations accurately and objectively.

Basic Requirements

• You must be a United States citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, or deferred action childhood arrival (DACA) recipient.
• You must have the ability to read, speak and write in the English language fluently.
• You must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application.
• You must have a high school degree or a GED.
• Public Safety Testing (PST) personal history statement (PHS). The PHS must not be over 6-months old.
• Verify that you do not meet any of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements.
• In addition to minimum qualifications, candidates for Exceptional Entry Deputy must have successfully completed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) within one (1) year of application OR have fewer than 12-months of experience as a full-time commissioned police officer within one (1) year of application. Federal law enforcement certification (FLETC) is not accepted at this time.
• You must be able to meet all KCSO background standards as listed in section 10.14 of the Civil Service Rules. Background requirements will be evaluated throughout the hiring process.
• If living outside of Washington state, you must be certified as a law enforcement officer and meet the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission WAC requirements. Out-of-state Exceptional Entry Deputies will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy upon hire.
• Documentation or certifications may be requested by HR personnel for verification purposes.

Incumbents Will Have Demonstrated Proficiency in the Following Skills and Abilities:

• Skilled in verbal communication with the ability to be clear and direct.
• Skilled in problem solving under stressful conditions.
• Ability to intervene effectively in high intensity situations, using de-escalation skills.
• Ability to act with integrity on and off duty.
• Skilled in empathic and active listening.
• Ability to relate to people and communities from diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds with respect.
• Skilled in working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with chemical dependency and/or behavioral health challenges.
• Ability to manage conflicts and work effectively with others.
• Ability to represent the King County Sheriff’s Office through effective inter-personal relations with the public and business community.
• Ability to follow maps well and familiarize self in assigned patrol area.
• Ability to maintain physical fitness, self-care and manage stress.
• Ability to write clearly, using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Basic computer skills are required to complete administrative tasks.

Additional information

This position is represented by the King County Police Officer Guild (KCPOG). This position is eligible for overtime. Deputies are scheduled for day, swing, or graveyard shifts. Shifts are determined based on need and assigned location.

This position is an open and continuous recruitment.

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Marc Alvarado at.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.

Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.