Sheriff's Deputy - Orcas Island

About the role

Join the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and serve in one of the most unique and breathtaking regions in the Pacific Northwest. As part of our dedicated team, you’ll experience the unparalleled beauty of island living while making a meaningful impact in a close-knit, supportive community.

Responsibilities

• Protects life and property in San Juan County through the enforcement of all Federal and State laws, as well as local ordinances.
• Performs routine patrol, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, crime suppression, and crisis intervention.
• Reports and investigates all crimes and fills all gaps in enforcement and public safety created by the unique geographical location of San Juan County.
• Responds to all criminal complaints in San Juan County.
• Investigates these reports and determines validity of complaints, based on training and experience.
• Follows-up appropriately, prepares and executes search warrants, prepares proper reports and any other paperwork to document these incidents for court.
• Conducts interviews and interrogations of witnesses and suspects.
• Responds to and investigates or assists with investigations of all other accidents, i.e. pleasure boats, commercial vessels, aircraft, construction and logging equipment, hikers, bikers, climbers, etc.
• Functions as the first responder to all emergencies in San Juan County, i.e. crimes, traffic accidents, fire calls, aid calls, boating accidents, aircraft accidents, missing boats, planes and persons, hazardous materials, loose livestock and dangerous animals, search and rescue, etc.
• Trains and maintains a high level of skill in use of handguns, shotguns, and rifles in lethal force situations.
• Maintains current knowledge of all laws, department policies and court decisions about use of lethal force.
• Trains and maintains a high level of skill in the use of impact weapons, chemical sprays, mechanical restraints, empty hand self-defense and empty hand restraint and control methods in dangerous high stress situations.
• Apprehends resistive criminals and protects the public.
• Maintains current knowledge of all laws, department policy and court decisions about use of force.
• Trains and maintains a high level of skill in emergency vehicle operation in both non-stress and high-stress situations including all-weather operation, emergency response and high speed pursuit.
• Apprehends criminals, responds to emergencies and protects the public.
• Maintains current knowledge of all laws, department policy and court decisions about pursuit driving.
• Works with County Prosecutor in preparing any of the above mentioned cases and incidents for court.
• Follows-up, locates witness, prepares additional diagrams, photos, etc.
• Appears and testifies at depositions by suspects, victims and attorneys.
• Appear in court, whenever subpoenaed by any involved parties.
• Testify, be examined and cross-examined by attorneys and suspects, draw illustrations, present evidence, make suspect and victim identification and give expert testimony in specialty fields.
• Be aware of all court rules pertaining to testimony, evidence, suspects and witnesses, etc. and follow and enforce them.
• Performs jail and prisoner duties for San Juan County.
• Properly and safely arrests and transports suspects in the field.
• Follows all Federal, State and departmental booking and jail procedures.
• Prepares meals for and feeds all prisoners.
• Responds to and deal with all inmate complaints, health problems, etc.
• Properly and safely transports all prisoners to court hearings, interviews, etc.
• Properly and safely transports prisoners by airplane to various counties and holding facilities.
• Restrains and controls violent prisoners, often on an extended basis.
• Books in, secures and maintains all personal property of suspects and prisoners.
• Provides primary mental health contacts.
• Evaluates persons for danger to self and others and performs necessary follow-up and contacts.
• Contacts the appropriate agencies if no police action required. If necessary, takes the person into custody and holds for mental health evaluation.
• Accompanies mental health into the field when persons are to be committed.
• Accompanies mental health on all transports by car, boat or plane and maintains the security and safety of the patient and the mental health worker.
• Affords assistance to Chief Civil Deputy in execution of all civil court orders.
• Serves civil and criminal papers, eviction notices and court orders.
• Assists Chief Civil Deputy in evicting persons from property and homes, confiscating real and personal property, etc. as designated by the court.
• Serves and maintains in good condition patrol cars, patrol boats, the sheriff’s office and related office tools, jail area and related tools, personal gear such as uniforms, firearms, handcuffs, radios, pagers, cameras, etc. and any other necessary law enforcement equipment.
• Maintains current knowledge of the residents of assigned island and other islands.
• Maintains awareness of special mental health, physical health, criminal history, substance abuse and family problems.
• Maintains awareness of road, resort, park and business names; of popular locations, slang terms for areas, well known residences, landmarks etc. in order to respond to problems in a timely fashion.
• Maintains awareness of other agency activity assigned district, and to advise them of the above mentioned situations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Must have a valid Washington State Peace Officer’s Certification.
• Must pass a background check.
• Must pass a polygraph exam.
• Must pass a psychological evaluation.
• Must pass a medical examination.
• Must pass a drug screening.
• Must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive training program.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Work-life balance and emphasis on personal well-being.

Pay

$15,000 hiring bonus for entry-level applicants and a $30,000 hiring bonus for lateral applicants.

Schedule

40 hours per week.