Police Sergeant

Application Details

Applications are accepted through September 18, 2026 for one Police Sergeant vacancy. A completed application, cover letter, and resume are required. Applicants must reside within fifty (50) road miles of the Port Townsend city limits within six months of the hire date.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree or 90 college credit hours toward a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
• Seven (7) years of experience as a police officer, preferably with an agency in Washington State.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or equivalent.
• Have not been separated from law enforcement for more than 60 months at the time of hire.
• Ability to complete CJTC’s Pre‑Supervisors course within six months of hire date.
• Ability to complete CJTC’s First Level Supervision course within one year of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sergeant or other supervisory experience.
• Completion of CJTC’s Pre‑Supervisors course.
• Completion of CJTC’s First Level Supervision course.

Benefits

• Washington State LEOFF pension plan.
• Optional 457 Deferred Compensation with 50 % match of up to 4 % of base earnings.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance through WA Teamsters Welfare Trust Fund.
• Time‑loss/short‑term disability insurance.
• Retiree’s Welfare Trust funded by employee.
• Life & AD&D insurance.
• Sick leave (earns 1 day per month) with possible annual conversion.
• Vacation (graduated accrual schedule starting at 8 hours per month).
• 12 paid holidays accrued at 10 hours per month.
• Up to 5 days of bereavement leave, if applicable.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Compensation

Base pay: $53.40 – $58.40 per hour.
Total compensation range: $53.40 – $67.51 per hour (including maximum potential longevity, educational incentive, and specialty pay).

• Annual increases until step 5.
• Longevity pay on a graduated schedule: 1 % after 2 years up to 9 % after 20 years.
• Educational incentive: 3 % for an Associate’s degree; 5 % for a Bachelor’s degree.
• Overtime pay.
• Compensatory time.
• $165 per pay period for responding to off‑duty phone calls.
• Holiday pay (if scheduled or called in on a holiday).
• Specialty pay of 1 % for assignment as detective.
• Jury‑duty pay at regular rate during service.
• Call‑back pay.
• Plain‑clothes assignment and laundry allowance when assigned by the Chief.
• Teamsters initiation fee of $100 and monthly dues of 2.25 % of the hourly wage (rounded to the nearest dollar).

Testing Process

Applications will be scored based on required qualifications and relevant work experience. The top five candidates will be invited via email to participate in the Supervisory Skills & Abilities test, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the City of Port Townsend Police Department. Testing is in‑person only and will be administered by Public Safety Testing (PST). Qualified internal applicants receive priority for testing.

• Test components: inbox exercise, critical‑thinking practical scenarios, and a structured interview.
• Scoring categories (each 20 % of the final PST score):
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Leadership and professional presence
  • Legal and procedural awareness
  • Problem solving and priority management
  • Situational judgment and decision‑making
• Additional percentage points added to the final PST score:
  • Associate Degree: +5 %
  • Bachelor’s Degree: +5 %
  • 5 years of police service: +1.5 %
  • 10 years of police service: +3.5 %
  • 15 years of police service: +5 %
• Final scores will be ranked for placement on a promotional eligibility list valid for 18 months. Candidates on the list may be invited for additional interviewing and background processing at the Police Chief’s discretion, with one candidate selected to fill the vacancy.
• Veterans Preference: Eligible veterans may receive a 5 % scoring boost in promotional examinations, provided they were called to active military service from state or municipal employment. Required documentation includes the Veteran’s Scoring Criteria Status Form and a copy of DD‑214.