Mental health response, homeless outreach, domestic violence team, elder safe programs, community outreach

Recovery NOT recidivism, special needs housing, mental health and addiction services, life enhancement programs, high-tech body scanner, brand new high-definition security camera system, tablet and smart phone use for security checks

Robot and drone team, digital forensics lab, crash reconstruction team, “bait” anti-theft GPS program, air support unit, digital community engagement, body cameras, criminal intelligence

Brand new training center, crisis intervention and de-escalation, implicit bias, “scenario” village and jail, virtual simulator, personal resilience and officer survival

Generally a lower cost of living in Oregon compared to *other* states (cough – California – cough – Washington), $30.88/hour starting wage for entry-level recruits (college graduates and those with college-level coursework complete get paid more), relocation reimbursement up to $7,000, tuition reimbursement, bilingual pay, overtime opportunities, clothing and footwear allowance, special team pay, deferred compensation, 25-year retirement plan

Excellent healthcare, personal and family resiliency training and support, mental health and wellness services, long-term career and retirement support

Right outside Portland in the Tualatin Valley, one hour to the beach and mountains, three-hour drive to Seattle, two-hour flight to San Francisco, five-hour drive to Canada, epic regional beauty and welcoming communities

600,000 residents (second largest in Oregon), most diverse county in state, fastest growing county in state, safest urban county in state, excellent schools, strong local economy (Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Intel, etc)

Helping people on the worst day of their life, 4/10 weekly work schedule (four, ten-hour days of work and three days off), 24/7 shifts, schedule “bids” every six months

Being compassionate and confident guardians of the county’s only jail, 572-bed facility, average of 50 bookings per day, heavy use of technology, impeccably clean and humane facility, constant training in “scenario” jail

Primary first responders for 250,000 residents, patrol support for 600,000, diverse neighborhoods and physical geography, constant training in “scenario” village

K-9, detectives, court security, marine patrol, mobile field force, robots, jail/patrol tactical response, crisis negotiations, school resource officer, search and rescue, public information officer

Recruit deputies must be at least 21 years of age by hire date. There are no other age restrictions.

Applicants must be a high school school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate. While a college degree is not required, at least two years of college-level course work is desirable.

Applicants must posses a driver’s license in the State of Oregon (or obtain one before hire date). Acceptable driving record required.

No domestic violence convictions on record. No felony convictions on record. Misdemeanor conviction reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. citizenship must be obtained within 12 months of hire for jail recruit deputies, and 18 months for patrol recruit deputies.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducts four “hiring cycles” per year for the position of jail or patrol deputy. Each cycle lasts about five months, from application period to conditional job offer. For 2020, the start of these dates include February 24, May 30, August 30 and November 20.

NOTE: Candidates must submit their entrance test scores with the National Testing Network PRIOR to the start of a hiring cycle.

The very first step — even before applying — is to take the National Testing Network and have the scores sent to us. After passing the entrance exam, prospective recruits will formally apply with our agency, take the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT), and enter into the hiring cycle.

Each hiring cycle lasts about five months, from application period to job offer. Following an in-depth series of physical tests, background investigations and interviews, successful applicants will receive conditional job offers. Typically, the first day of training begins a couple of months after that.

For 2020, the start of each hiring cycle include February 24, May 30, August 30 and November 20. Candidates must submit their entrance test scores with the National Testing Network PRIOR to the start of a hiring cycle.

Investigators complete a thorough background to determine applicant eligibility. This is the most time-consuming aspect of the recruitment process, so clear and responsive communication between the applicant and background investigator is critical.

Part of the six-month hiring cycle is conducting a job shadow in the jail or ride along with patrol. These will be scheduled as you advance in the recruitment process.

Our brand new Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) is a ground-breaking addition to our renowned training program. Designed to be comprehensive and holistic in approach, it is one of the premier law enforcement training facility in the Pacific Northwest.

• $20 million, 100,000 square-foot indoor facility
• “Scenario” village and jail exposes deputies to a multitude of life-like incidents
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) with 3.5 acres of paved training space
• State-of-the-art, climate-controlled firearms range
• Three physical training and mat rooms
• Solar-powered and sustainable features

Every deputy — entry level or lateral transfer — starts their WCSO career at our 9-week, in-house academy that builds the foundation of our approach to law enforcement. We believe this “pre-academy” is critical to the short- and long-term success of our deputies.

• Full pay on DAY ONE of training
• Uniform and gear issue
• De-escalation and crisis intervention training
• Report writing
• Defensive tactics
• Comprehensive overview of agency, community and philosophy

After pre-academy, jail and patrol recruit deputies attend their respective state academies at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem, Oregon. Jail recruits attend the 6-week basic corrections course:

• Use-of-force law and inmate rights
• Disciplinary strategies and conflict-resolution
• Courtroom security
• Intake and releases
• Transportation and restraints
• Medical and mental health awareness

Patrol recruit deputies attend the 16-week basic police course:

• Emotional intelligence and implicit bias
• Criminal law and the courtroom
• Community policing
• Vehicle stops and Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVO)
• Firearms and use of force
• Forensics and criminal investigations

Following graduation from the state academy, jail and patrol recruit deputies enter into the Field Training Entry Program (FTEP) under the wing of an experienced peer deputy for several months. After a total probationary period of about 18 months from hire date, deputies will finally be “flying solo” in the jail and on patrol.

Day one of your career through your last day before retirement, the training never stops. Throughout their career, deputies receive some of the best training in the country as they promote, apply for special teams, and innovate new ways to keep our neighborhoods safe. Some deputies enjoy training so much, they eventually join our super-talented training team.