Law Enforcement Officer Position

Port Townsend Police Department - Police Officer

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Port Townsend Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on January 18, 2024
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancy: 1

Community Information

Port Townsend is a historic seaport community on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington, two hours from Seattle by car and ferry.  The town's  10,330 residents enjoy spectacular views of the water and mountains.  Port Townsend's natural beauty and access to nearby Fort Worden State Park and Conference Center, Olympic National Park, beaches and rain forests attract over a million visitors each year.  Residents and visitors enjoy a small-town atmosphere and numerous cultural opportunities.

Department Information

The Port Townsend Police Department places a high emphasis on community policing. Department staff includes the Police Chief, Deputy Chief, two sergeants, twelve officers, and four civilian support staff. Special assignments include detective and school resource officer. Working for a small department offers you the benefit of learning all facets of law enforcement in an environment where you know all of your co-workers.

Area Information

County: Jefferson
Population: 10,330
# of Staff: 100+ City employees

Hiring Status

Port Townsend Police Department - Police Officer has 1 vacancy.

To become an Entry Level Police Officer, the first step is to complete the initial testing for Entry Level Police Officer positions through PublicSafetyTesting.com, (PST) a private testing agency. This includes the physical and entry level written exam for entry candidates. Upon successful completion of the PST testing process, applicant test scores will be forwarded by PST to Human Resources and the Civil Service Commission Chief Examiner.

Please register for testing at www.publicsafetytesting.com

When an opening occurs or at the time the Civil Service Commission recommends an employment list be established, applicants will be invited to complete the City of Port Townsend Civil Service Commission Employment Application. Applicants will then be invited for further testing, including an oral board panel interview.

Residency Requirement: All entry level police officers must reside within fifty (50) road miles of Port Townsend city limits within six months of graduation from the police academy (WSCJTC).

Salary Information

COMPENSATION

Base pay: $35.24 per hour until graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy, then start at $39.15 (step 1 of 5-step system ending at $44.93)

Total compensation range for police officers: $35.24-51.93 per hour (including maximum potential longevity, educational incentive, and specialty pay)

This position may be eligible for the additional compensation listed below. Details can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement:

  • Annual increases after graduation from the Academy until at step 5
  • Longevity pay on a graduated schedule starting at 1% after 2 years up to 9% after 20 years
  • Educational incentive: 3% for Associate's degree; 5% for Bachelor's degree
  • Overtime pay
  • Compensatory time
  • Holiday pay (if scheduled or called in on a holiday)
  • Specialty pay of 1% for assignments such as detective or Field Training Officer
  • Jury duty pay at regular rate during service
  • Call-back pay
  • Plain clothes assignment and laundry allowance, when assigned by Chief

Benefit Information

BENEFITS

  • WA State LEOFF pension plan
  • Optional 457 Deferred Comp with 50% match of up to 4% base earnings
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance through WA Teamsters Welfare Trust Fund *
  • Time loss/short-term disability insurance
  • Retirees' Welfare Trust funded by employee
  • Life & AD&D insurance
  • Sick leave (earns 1 day per month)
  • May be eligible for sick leave conversion annually
  • Vacation (graduated accrual schedule starts 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)

* Teamsters initiation fee is $100 and monthly dues are 2.25 of hourly wage x the base hourly rate rounded to the nearest dollar. Officers also pay a $10/month membership fee to WA Council of Police & Sheriffs.

**Officers may be required to work on holidays.

Port Townsend Police Department - Police Officer Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required

Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.

Minimum Age 21
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile None.
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must be able to perform all essential job functions.
Veterans Preference Points Yes
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider all the scores from the same applicant
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur

Contact Information

Port Townsend Police Department - Police Officer

250 Madison St.
Port Townsend, WA 98368 Jefferson County
360-379-5045

Website


Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required


Other Port Townsend Police Department positions

Lateral Police Officer
Academy Certified Police Officer