Deputy Sheriff - Sheriff's Office

Deputy Sheriff

Employer: Lewis County, WA

Salary: $80,964.00 - $102,972.00 Annually

Location: Chehalis, WA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 1174000X

Department: Sheriff

Division: Sheriff

Opening Date: 08/18/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: SH02

Description: The Deputy performs varied first-level law enforcement duties involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the maintenance of order, and the investigation of crime. This position is generally under the direction and general supervision of an Operations Sergeant, but may at times work independently. The hours of work are varied.

Working Environment / Physical Demands

Work Conditions Must be able to effectively, efficiently and safely work in the following environments: • A 24-hour, seven-day a week operation with possible rotating shift schedules. This includes working day/night shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime as required. • Variety of weather conditions. • Emergency situations which may be physically demanding for long periods of time, assure the delivery of and participate in administering emergency medical aid, evacuations and rescue of individuals from harm in potentially dangerous situations. • Hazardous conditions where employee must put on and be able to wear a variety of protective masks and/or eye protection for extended periods of time. • Situations where employee is exposed to certain temptations to show favoritism, corruption, or unlawful monetary gain. The employee must exhibit a history and characteristic of honesty, reliability, and ability to manage personal finances, interpersonal skill, and integrity. • Situations where blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials, and hazardous materials are present. • Respond to incidents which may be considered graphic and/or grossly offensive to human senses.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications • High school graduate or GED. • United States citizen. • No felony convictions or series of offenses of a minor nature which would lend themselves to establish a pattern of criminal behavior, nor any criminal instances concerning moral turpitude. • Minimum age of 21 years at time of appointment. • Must hold or obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License. • Acceptable score on an examination based on knowledge, skills and abilities. • Must pass a background investigation by the Sheriff's Office, as well as a medical and psychological examination, drug screening and polygraph test. • Good health. • Must meet and maintain the current physical requirements adopted for the assigned job/position. • Must read, write and speak English proficiently. Essential Performance Expectations The following list reflects the core expectations for every employee of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office regardless of position. These expectations establish the very foundation for job performance.

Duties and Responsibilities Perform the following work with minimal supervision: Maintain performance standards (as set by the work group) in the following categories: 1. Non-scheduled absenteeism; 2. Compliance with directives; 3. Work productivity. Patrol a designated area of the county in a patrol car and/or on foot to deter and discover crime, conduct on-scene investigations at crime scenes, aid persons in trouble and render other public services as needed. Patrol the county in a patrol car, bicycle or boat to enforce traffic and parking ordinances and investigate accidents; operate a radar unit to discover speed violations; issue citations to violators of state laws and county ordinances; serve warrants of arrest; arrest persons on misdemeanors and felony charges; handcuff and search arrested persons and secure their custody; complete necessary reports concerning alleged crimes, circumstances of arrest, and available evidence and witnesses. Serve civil processes, including writs of attachment, writs of restitution, and writs of execution, sex offender checks. Document attempts and other pertinent information on worksheets. Respond to reports of possible crime and take action as the situation requires to secure the scene; interview victims and witnesses, gather evidence and arrest suspects; complete incident and arrest reports; investigate persons suspected of being engaged in crime, locate and secure evidence pertaining to alleged crime, and arrest suspects for probable cause. Report to scenes of accidents; administer emergency first aid and summon aid cars and other patrol units for assistance in treating the injured and controlling the scene; interview principals and witnesses, make general drawings of accident scenes noting details, and complete a standard accident report; issue citations or make arrests as the situation warrants. Investigate and assist drivers in stalled vehicles and pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble; interview persons with complaints or inquiries, give information on laws and ordinances. Conduct thorough investigations of reported crimes appropriate to their assignments; interview victims and witnesses; locate, arrest, and interview suspects; use photo montages for victim and witness identification; gather evidence and conduct necessary searches; conduct follow-up investigations as needed; prepare case file detailing all aspects of an investigation and present it through the chain of command to a prosecuting attorney. Develop street contacts to obtain information about crimes; maintain contact with paroled criminals and suspects at large; do undercover and decoy work; check known and possible stolen property outlets, such as pawnshops and junkyards. Report for duty on time and work overtime as directed. Attend training and shift meetings. Apply job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities on duty. Maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance. Promote the community policing philosophy component and function within the Sheriff's Office. Check voicemail, mailbox, message center, and email at some time during the beginning of shift and as needed thereafter. Testify in court. Perform specialized duties depending on individual officer's background, ability and the needs of the agency, or as assigned. Perform duties and other work as required.

Requisite Job Knowledge Must possess and maintain the job knowledge and understanding of: • Geography of the county. • Criminal statutes, constitutional and civil law requirements and restraints for their enforcement. • Policies and procedures manuals for the Sheriff's Office and the Operations Bureau. • Basic first aid and CPR principles and skill in their application. • The effect of cultural and socio-economic differences on the relationship with law enforcement agencies.

Requisite General Abilities Must possess, exhibit and maintain the ability to: • Analyze situations quickly and objectively; recognize actual and potential dangers and determine a proper course of action. • Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications. • Compose and complete incident reports; organize details logically. • Cope with situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect to individual rights. • Speak and write with clarity. • Communicate effectively with diverse groups of people, including people with social and behavioral problems, as well as the handicapped, disabled and disadvantaged. • Observe and remember detail. • Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with fellow employees, other agencies and citizens from all racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. • Read, understand, learn and interpret laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. • Meet agency standards relative to appearance and dress code. • Satisfactorily complete prescribed courses of training, including the academy, in-service training, and skill training such as first aid, CPR, defensive tactics, defensive/pursuit driving, firearms, breathalyzer, baton, and radar. • Safely operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic, and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow. • Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree. • Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers. • Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and processes. • Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons, and resort to the use of hands, feet and other approved weapons in self-defense. • Learn and use investigative tools, techniques and procedures. • Keep materials and information confidential and exercise caution to keep within the rights of privacy laws. • Maintain a working knowledge of and familiarity with the policies and procedures of the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. • Work nights, days, weekends, holidays, and for long periods of time. • Effectively use ever-changing technology, such as the MDC and Sector.

Requisite Psychological/Mental Abilities Must possess, exhibit and maintain the ability to: • Exercise emotional stability, self-assurance, and a high degree of initiative and good judgment. • Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment. • Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants.

Requisite Physical Abilities Must possess, exhibit and maintain the ability to: • See, hear, feel, smell, touch, speak and move about (with or without corrective devices) to perform the duties, responsibilities, tasks and essential functions required or assigned to this position