DEPUTY SHERIFF
Job Description
DEFINITION: A commissioned law enforcement officer whose primary duties are to provide law enforcement services in the unincorporated portions of Grays HarborCounty.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident and 21 years of age by date of hire. Have no record of felony conviction, no record of gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor conviction for crime involving controlled substances or physical harm; be free from any physical condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff; be free from any psychological condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff based on an evaluation by a clinical psychologist. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Education Development Test. Must be examined by a licensed physician to verify that applicant is physically sound and free from any physical defect which might adversely affect performance as a Deputy Sheriff. In addition to the physical and psychological evaluations mentioned above, applicants will undergo a polygraph exam and be subject to an extensive background check. Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license. This job is subject to a 12-month probation period.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws. Knowledge of police related Constitutional and judicial rulings. Knowledge of department mission, goals, policies and procedures. Knowledge of related criminal justice and social service systems and their function. Skill in observation and retention of details. Skill in the use of firearms. Ability to relate effectively to others in tense and/or hostile situations. Ability to perform effectively under extreme stress. Ability to communicate in a clear, accurate, comprehensive and concise manner in both verbal and written form. Maintain high standard of physical condition. Must have keyboarding skills at 20 wpm and possess the ability to perform basic computer functions to include data retrieval from state and local systems. Regular attendance of job assignment.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND ATTITUDES: A Deputy Sheriff performs duties commensurate with professional ethics and attitudes demanded by the police code of ethics, departmental goals and community needs.
MENTAL DEMANDS: The Deputy Sheriff position requires a mature and stable personality and must be able to work under stressful conditions. A Deputy Sheriff must be able to make decisions and take affirmative action in dangerous and unpredictable situations. A Deputy Sheriff must make decisions based on knowledge and experience rather than emotional impact. A Deputy Sheriff must be duty responsive 24 hours a day. Deputy Sheriffs must be able to assimilate large amounts of complicated information and put this into a clear and concise written form.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Majority of working time is spent outdoors which requires a Deputy Sheriff to be subjected to temperature extremes.
A Deputy Sheriff is required to maintain a seasonal uniform in accordance to Department Policies and Procedures. A clothing/uniform allowance is provided by contract.
A Deputy Sheriff must occasionally engage in physical confrontations, and/or lift and carry people and objects, requiring good physical condition.
Limited assignments may occur in Identification, Civil, Records, or other parts of the Department. A Deputy Sheriff may serve civil processes and confiscate property by Court Order.
ACCOUNTABILITY: A Deputy is required to make independent decisions without supervision subject to departmental review. A Deputy’s actions may be subject to community and departmental criticism. A Deputy may also be subject to department discipline and/or lawsuit.
ROUTINE PATROL: A Deputy Sheriff must have a good geographical knowledge of the county and ability to read maps; be aware of problem areas including commercial, traffic, high crime and known criminals. A Deputy Sheriff is required to be observant and have the ability to distinguish suspicious and irregular activities. A Deputy Sheriff collects information on criminal activity through shift briefings. Deputies conduct preliminary inquiry regarding possible law violations, obtaining and verifying factual information from examination of persons, vehicles and premises.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND COLLISION INVESTIGATION: Deputy Sheriff must have proficient knowledge of traffic laws as required to investigate traffic collisions and facilitate the flow of traffic through the issuance of traffic citations and warnings. A Deputy must observe and identify pedestrian and vehicular irregularities and give information and assistance to motorists. Deputy must have ability to use enforcement aids such as radar, breath testing, for example.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: Knowledge of criminal law is necessary to determine what crimes have been committed. Investigations require that Deputies preserve the crime scene, gather, collect and preserve evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, take necessary steps to locate, identify and return property taken from the rightful owner, and take into custody persons responsible for criminal activity per department policy as well as prepare the necessary reports, court appearance and testimony as required.
REPORT WRITING: Reports will be completed in accordance with department policy.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: A Deputy Sheriff must have the ability and desire to deal with and be responsive to individual needs. Deputies aid in improving police and community relations by participating in community education and one on one interaction with citizens.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: Deputies must attend, complete and pass the WashingtonStateBasicLawEnforcementAcademy as certified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission and those standards set by the Governor’s Commission on training standards as per RCW 43.101.200 or be certified by the WSCJTCEquivalencyAcademy. Obtain basic first-aid CPR qualifications and maintain qualification as required. Annual ongoing training requirements as per department policy.
BENEFITS: Deputies currently work a 4-day on/4-day off 11-hour shift. Benefit package includes 13 paid holidays, 9 hours of sick leave per month, vacation time beginning at 8 hours per month the first year and reaching a maximum of 18 hours per month at 15 years of service, deferred compensation match, education incentive, longevity pay, shift differential, uniform allowance, take home car (in-county residents), wellness incentive, employer paid life-insurance, Teamsters’ health and welfare package currently 100% employer paid for employee and family.