Deputy Sheriff

A high school diploma or GED certificate is required. An associate of arts degree or 90 credits of college level course work including courses in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a closely related field is preferred. Applicants must:

• be a United States citizen OR permanent resident
• be at least 21 years of age 
• have a Washington State driver’s license prior to appointment. 

Applicants will be expected to pass a variety of job-related tests, including a Civil Service examination and pre-employment examinations including, but not limited to, a complete background investigation, fingerprinting, criminal record check, polygraph examination, a medical examination, and a psychological evaluation.

For more information, click on the “How to Apply” tab above.

1) Ask yourself “Am I willing to put my Community First?” If the answer is yes, please continue.

2) Ensure you meet the minimum qualifications:

•  Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.
•  Must be a citizen of the United State of America OR a permanent resident.
•  Must be 21 years of age, there is no maximum age limit.
•  Possess a Washington State Driver’s License.

3) Click on “Apply today!” in the upper right corner. Create an account and complete the application process.

4) Go to the Public Safety Testing  or National Testing Network website, select “Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office” and click “Apply”. Sign up to take the written and physical fitness tests. (You can find descriptions of the tests, including videos, under the National Testing Network FAQs).  In order to proceed in the testing process all candidates must have completed the application through Snohomish County (step #3) and completed the police officer testing and physical abilities test through National Testing Network (step #4).

5) National Testing Network scores the candidate and rates them in order of their combined test results. That list is provided to the Sheriff’s Office. Testing is conducted on a continual basis, so anytime is a good time to apply.

6) The Sheriff’s Office reviews the list and conducts an oral board interview of candidates. The board consists of two commissioned employees and the interview lasts approximately 40 minutes. The questions are oriented towards community service and community relations. The candidates are scored and a list is compiled. Candidates will receive an email from the Civil Service Commission with their score and where they rank on the eligibility list.

7) If selected from the eligibility list, a background investigation will begin, which includes:

• Criminal history investigation
• Personnel and professional references
• Employment history
• Credit check
• Drivers record investigation
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examination

8) Possible dis-qualifiers for employment include:

• Felony conviction
• Misdemeanor conviction for moral turpitude
• Conviction of a domestic violence crime or court order violation
• Unable to possess a Washington State Driver’s License
• Use of non-prescribed Schedule I – V drugs within the past five years
• Heroin use or possession at any time
• Marijuana, or any marijuana derivatives, use within the last three years
• Trafficking or transporting for sale any illegal drugs
• Two or more bankruptcies
• Knowingly falsifying application or personal history packet
• Failure to pass the polygraph examination
• Failure to pass psychological evaluation
• Failure to pass medical examination
• Failure to pass drug screening

9) Once the candidate has passed the background investigation, they may be hired and scheduled to attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA), held at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission campus located in Burien Washington. The academy is approximately four and half months long (720 hours).

10) Once you have graduated from the academy, you will return to the Sheriff’s Office and begin the Field Training Program. The training program lasts between three and four months and you will be assigned to three different Field Training Officers (FTOs) who will train and evaluate you.

11) Upon completion of the Field Training Program you will be assigned to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. You will work out of one of our precincts or contract cities

• Salary may include college incentive pay, longevity pay and specialty pay if eligible
• Choice of medical insurance (PDF) plans
• Fully paid dental, vision and basic life insurance for you and all of your dependents
• Take home vehicle upon completion of field training
• All uniforms and equipment provided
• Optional deferred compensation program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program and flexible spending account
• Long term disability insurance through the Deputy Sheriff Association
•  Education incentives (percentage additional base pay):
  -3.5% for an associate's degree
  -7% for a bachelor's degree
  -9% for a master's degree
• GI Bill (approximately $22K) for those who qualify
• Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ (LEOFF) Plan 2 retirement
• Paid vacation, 12 paid holidays and 12 paid sick days per year

Located in the northwest corner of Washington State, Snohomish County is a great place to work, live and play. Snohomish County is located just north of Seattle between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Here you’ll find some of the best hiking, fishing, skiing, camping and hunting in the world, as well as affordable housing, good schools, and vibrant, unique communities. Annual temperatures range from 75°F in July to 33°F in January and precipitation in urban areas of is usually around 35 inches, but increases sharply in the mountains. Snohomish County has one major airport with passenger service to over a dozen cities and is connected to adjacent communities by two ferry routes. From beaches to ghost towns, casinos to museums, kayaking to shopping, Snohomish County is packed with endless possibilities to keep everyone from every age and interest occupied.