Corrections Deputy

A high school diploma or GED certificate is required. Applicants must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years of age and 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.

Preference will be given to applicants with at least one year of work experience as a police or military police officer, probation or parole officer, jail attendant or guard, or work in a psychiatric facility, detention or juvenile center; OR, college level coursework in the area of corrections, law enforcement, police science, law and justice or social services related to correctional rehabilitation. A second language preferred.

For more information, see “How to Apply”.

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.
• Must be 21 years of age, there is no maximum age limit.
• Possess a Washington State Driver’s License.

3) Go to Open Positions and select either “Civil Service - Corrections Deputy - Entry Level” or “Civil Service - Corrections Deputy - Lateral Entry“. Click on “Apply” in the upper right corner. Create an account and complete the application process. 

4) Go to the 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 Corrections Officers Academy, held at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission campus located in Burien, Washington.  The academy is approximately four weeks (160 hours) long.

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 approximately six weeks and you will be assigned to three different Field Training Officers (FTOs) who will train and evaluate you. 

11) Prior to completion of the Field Training Program you will bid for available shifts, which are assigned by rank and seniority. 

• $49,280.04 to $65,394.96 annual salary
• Specialty and differential pay, if eligible
• Choice of medical insurance plans
• Fully paid dental, vision and basic life insurance for you and all of your dependents
• All uniforms and equipment provided
• Public Safety Employees Retirement System (PSERS) Plan 2
• Optional deferred compensation program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program and flexible spending account
• Long term disability insurance 
• Paid vacation, 10 holidays, and sick leave

Snohomish County is a great place to work, live and play. Nestled between the Puget Sound and the rugged Cascade Mountains, Snohomish County is north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, BC.  A short ferry ride away from the San Juan Islands or Olympic Peninsula, we are surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States.  Forest and mountain wildlife sanctuaries, unlimited opportunities for outdoor fun, including fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking and more. We also some of the best coffee and wines this side of Italy and shopping opportunities galore.