Law Enforcement Officer Position

Kelso 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.

Kelso Police Department - Police Officer

Last updated on November 17, 2023
PST Partner Agency since October 19, 2011

Vacancies: 2

Community Information

Please see website www.kelso.gov. The City of Kelso is situated at the confluence of the Columbia, Cowlitz, and Coweeman rivers, 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean, and 60 miles from the Cascade Mts. We are located on Interstate 5, 48 miles north of Portland, OR, and 125 miles south of Seattle, WA. This location affords easy access to many types of activities, from outdoors activities like hunting, fishing, camping and boating to the arts, entertainment and shopping available in the metropolitan areas of Portland and Seattle. The Kelso School District is regarded as one of the best in Southwest Washington and the relationship between our agency and our schools is second to none. Kelso has a City Manager/Council-type of government.

Department Information

The Kelso Police Department is a service-oriented organization that embraces a Community Policing philosophy. Of our 32 total staff, 27 are commissioned officers. We currently have officers serving as patrol officers, one school resource officer, one K9 officer, two detectives and four officers assigned to our regional SWAT team.  We value our relatively small staff which allows us to work well with each other and be on a first name basis.  

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package with generous paid time off.  Our patrol staff works a 4 on, 4 off, 4 on, 5 off pattern of 12-hr shifts which offers generous time off that allows for a satisfying work/life balance. 

Area Information

County: Cowlitz
Population: 12,720
# of Staff: 27 commissioned

Hiring Status

Kelso Police Department - Police Officer has 2 vacancies.

Our eligibility list is a continuous list and maintained as scores are received from PST.  Our oral board interviews are conducted on a as-needed basis. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

Salary Information

The Officer salary range for the 2023 calendar year is $6059-7574 per month, plus educational and longevity incentives.

Benefit Information

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, floating holidays, uniform allowance stipend, weekly uniform cleaning, sick leave, vacation, compensatory time and tuition assistance provided by the City per contract.  We also coordinate with Veteran's Affairs for On-The-Job training benefits through the use of candidate's GI bill.

Kelso 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 Valid Washington State Driver's License
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must meet LEOFF II standards.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We consider the highest score received within the past one year

Kelso Police Department - Police Officer Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Potential One (1) or more criminal traffic convictions in last five (5) years (Vehicular Assault/Homicide, DWI/Physical Control, Suspended/Revoked, Reckless, etc.)
Drug Usage
Automatic Use of illegal drugs in the last 5 years.
Automatic Illegal use of ANY controlled substance while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic Illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana, within the last 10 years.
Automatic Pattern of illegal use of prescription medication.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Any misdemeanor, or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic Conviction of any crime under a domestic violence statute.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Employment
Automatic Dishonorable discharge from the United States armed forces.
Automatic Deception during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified application, personal history questionnaire or any other forms during hiring process.
Automatic Previous revocation or denial of (CJTC/POST) certified status, or suspension of current CJTC/POST certified status.
Automatic Termination for cause, or leaving employer in lieu of termination, by any criminal justice agency.
Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.

Contact Information

Kelso Police Department - Police Officer

201 Pacific Ave S
Kelso, WA 98626 Cowlitz County
360.423.1270

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


Other Kelso Police Department positions

BLEA Certified