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.
King County Sheriff's Office - Lateral Deputy Sheriff
Last updated on May 01, 2026
PST Partner Agency since September 25, 2025
Vacancies: 16
Important Information
Experienced law enforcement officers are a strength to the King County Sheriff's Office. With a commissioned staff of more than 770, we are among the largest sheriff's departments in the country. Our deputies have opportunities to serve in many different communities, including unincorporated King County, numerous contract city police departments, transit police agencies, and so many more. To be considered for a Lateral Deputy Sheriff position, you must meet the following requirements:
Experience as a full-time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after completion of all academy training. Time training on active patrol (PTO/FTO or similar) will count towards the 12 months of active patrol requirement.
Successful completion of probation as a commissioned officer with a city, county or state police or sheriff's department.
Federal Law Enforcement experience may qualify, pending a review from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC). Please reach out to Marc Alvarado, Civil Service HR Analyst, at Marc.Alvarado@kingcounty.gov for next steps in the process. Please review the CJTC equivalency process here.
Less than a two-year break in service from a former police officer position.
Academy training that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours).
Out-of-state applicants will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.
Verification that you do not meet any of the Sheriff’s Office Automatic Disqualifying Behaviors. (Follow the hyper link to review this list) Lateral Hiring Incentives
All laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 09/11/25 or after are eligible to receive 40 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick time credited to their leave banks on their first day of employment.
Washington State Laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 9/11/25 or after may be eligible to receive a signing bonus of $40,000.
$25,000 for lateral candidates; receive $10,000 on your first paycheck and $15,000 when you pass probation, with a three (3) year commitment. Any questions regarding the hiring incentive please reach out KCSO recruiters at kcsorec@kingcounty.gov.
APPLICATION AND TESTING PROCESS:
1.Direct apply via governmentjobs.com–Click on the "Apply "link towards the top of the job announcement on the right. A complete application is required for processing.
Do not type "see resume".
Review the Sheriff's Office Automatic Disqualifiers
Answer all supplemental questions.
No Public Safety Testing (PST) is required for Lateral Deputy Sheriff.
Community Information
The King County Sheriff's Office is located in the Pacific Northwest. King County is the 14th largest (by population) county in the country, and includes the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, as well as many suburban communities and rural areas. The area offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, year-round recreation, award-winning school districts, and great quality of life. And contrary to popular belief, there are sunny days. Lots of them.
As you review this page, please note that many of the links will take you to external sites (marked with an asterisk*).
If your spouse or partner works, he or she will have plenty of employment opportunities in the area. Many large companies and non-profits are headquartered here, as well as smaller organizations.
Schools
For the kids, the school districts are exceptional and there are numerous extra-curricular activities through the schools and community groups. For the littlest ones, there are many child care options, as well as organized groups for kids and parents.
The school districts in King County include: Shoreline, Northshore, Seattle, Bellevue, Lake Washington, Kent, Highline, Auburn, Federal Way, Tahoma, Renton, Issaquah, Riverview, Snoqualmie Valley, Enumclaw, Tukwila, and Maple Valley. You can learn more about the schools at:
Like to hike? The Cascade Range and Olympics offer easy day hikes as well as challenging overnight trips, and they are within a short drive. And of course, the serious mountaineers will enjoy Mount Rainier.
Prefer the water? There are two major lakes, numerous smaller lakes, and many, many beaches. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all possible.
Enjoy music and culture? Seattle and the surrounding communities offer symphonies, museums, opera, theaters, local bands, jazz clubs, and even an amphitheater that attracts major concerts and performances.
Need something to do with the kids? There are sporting events featuring amateur and professional teams, multiple city, county, and state parks, local fairs and festivals (including SeaFair in July and August), as well as kid-friendly museums, aquariums, zoos, and amusement parks.
Higher Education
There are many colleges, universities, technical schools, and community colleges in and around King County. You can learn more at this Washington State web site*.
Ensuring the safety of people in King County is our top priority. We aim to do this in a respectful manner based on our core values of leadership, integrity, service, and teamwork. Every employee is expected to provide the best customer service by working with you to address your concerns. With over 1,000 employees, the KCSO serves the law enforcement needs of over half a million people in unincorporated areas and our twelve contract cities. The KCSO also provides police departments for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Metro Transit, and the King County International Airport. Our commitment to meeting the needs of all residents means that services such as helicopters and bomb disposal are available to King County's 1.6 million residents.
We serve unincorporated King County and operate numerous city police departments plus transit police units. (You can check out our partner police agencies here.)
We offer dozens of unique assignments that range from school or community-based positions to drug enforcement and bomb disposal. The King County Sheriff’s Office has opportunities that meet just about any deputy’s goals.
All deputies begin their career on patrol (we have no jail service requirement), providing service to the people of a particular district. Deputies are assigned to single-person patrol cars, and gain a strong sense of ownership in their communities by interacting with the residents, business owners, and visitors to the area. Often, their work requires working together with these people or supporting fellow deputies in adjoining districts.
Within the rank of deputy sheriff, there are many types of service and leadership opportunities:
County: King
Population: 1.6 million
# of Staff: Sheriff's Office - 1150 (750 commissioned), DAJD - 900
Hiring Status
King County Sheriff's Office - Lateral Deputy Sheriff has 16 vacancies.
The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with oral board interviews conducted on a monthly basis. Those certified on the Civil Service eligibility list will be forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation and selection as vacancies occur.
Number of Current Vacancies: 65 - filled by both entry and laterals.
Salary Information
The 2025 salary range for deputies is $44.33 - $62.08 hourly, based on a six-step system (initial hire rate + five increases based on hire date). These are the base rates for which premiums for education, longevity, and specialty assignments are awarded.
•Competitive wages, including special and duty pays
•Paid academy training
•Patrol premium
•Educational incentives for degrees held
•Longevity premiums for years of service
•Paid holidays
•Vacation days
•Sick leave
•Take-home car assigned up completion of training (entry-level)
•Self-paced training program
Lateral Hiring Incentives
September 18, 2025, update –
All laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 09/11/25 or after are eligible to receive 40 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick time credited to their leave banks on their first day of employment.
Washington State Laterals hired as a KCSO deputy on 9/11/25 or after may be eligible to receive a signing bonus of $40,000.
$25,000 for lateral candidates; receive $10,000 on your first paycheck and $15,000 when you pass probation, with a three (3) year commitment. Any questions regarding the hiring incentive please reach out KCSO recruiters at kcsorec@kingcounty.gov.
Benefit Information
•100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental and vision for you and your dependents.
•Annual vacation: 0-5 years = 12 paid days; 6-8 years = 15 days; 9-10 = 16 days; 11-16 years = 20 days; 20- 25 years = an additional day per year; 26 years = 30 days
•12 paid holidays
•12 paid days of sick leave annually
•Liberal accrual of compensation time
•Patrol Longevity Pay: An additional 2% of base rate starting after 5 years, up to 16% of base rate after 25 years.
•Take-home car upon completion of training; potential annual savings in time, gas, insurance, maintenance, convenience, etc. of between $3000-$5000.
•Education Incentive up to an additional 6% of base rate
•Deputies assigned to traffic, reactive and proactive patrol for at least one full month receive an additional 1% of base rate
•Numerous other premium pays for specialty units (e.g. Detective, K-9, TAC-30, Skin Diver, etc.)
•Paid academy training
•Self-paced training program
•Basic life insurance for you and the eligible family members you enroll
•Basic accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance for you
•King County provides all uniforms and most equipment, as well as a car per officer program.
KCSO Deputy Benefits includes:
100% employer paid premiums for medical, dental and vision for you and your dependents.
Take-home car upon swearing in and qualifying with your weapon.
Additional Benefits Include: Assignment Premium, Longevity Pay, Education Incentive, Take-home car, Uniforms/Gear and Special Sick Leave.
You may purchase additional/enhanced life insurance for yourself. Employees also can participate in flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses. Other King County employee benefits include the home ownership, Making Life Easier, and mildly ill child care programs.
King County Sheriff's Office - Lateral Deputy Sheriff Requirements
Category
Requirement
Required at time of...
Test
Hire
Written Examination
No, not required
No written or physical testing from Public Safety Testing (PST) is required to apply for Lateral Deputy Sheriff with the King County Sheriff's Office.
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT)
No, not required (may be required later)
No written or physical testing from Public Safety Testing (PST) is required to apply for Lateral Deputy Sheriff with the King County Sheriff's Office.
PST Personal History Statement
A fully complete, specific and up to date PST Personal History Statement is required at the time of application. If a PHS is not specific, up to date and completed by the time of application, you will have (3) three days to complete the statement. If one is not completed, you be removed from the application process.
Minimum Age
You must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application; age 21 on the date of hire.
Citizenship
US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident/DACA- recipient.
High School Grad/ GED
You must have a high school degree or GED.
Driver's License Required
You must have a Washington State driver's license, or be able to obtain one by the date of hire.
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult
Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile
Will be carefully reviewed
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language
You must have the ability to read, speak and write the English language fluently.
Vision Requirements
Normal color vision (based on the Ishihara standard range of normal color vision as determined by the medical exam)
Uncorrected vision of 20/100 or better, correctable to 20/30 with the use of glasses, hard contact lenses or soft contacts you have worn for less than one year OR
Corrected vision to 20/30 or better with soft contact lenses you have worn for at least one year (in this case there is no uncorrected vision standard) OR
Uncorrected vision of 20/30 or better.
College Requirement
No
Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certification
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LATERAL APPLICANTS:
Academy training that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours).
Out-of-state applicants will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.
Prior Experience Requirement
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LATERAL APPLICANTS:
Experience as a full-time commissioned police officer with at least 12 months of active patrol after completion of all academy training. Time training on active patrol (PTO/FTO or similar) will count towards the 12 months of active patrol requirement.
Successful completion of probation as a commissioned officer with a city, county or state police or sheriff's department.
Federal Law Enforcement experience may qualify, pending a review from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC). Please reach out to Marc Alvarado, Civil Service HR Analyst, at Marc.Alvarado@kingcounty.gov for next steps in the process.
Less than a two-year break in service from a former police officer position.
Academy training that meets or exceeds the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center's standards (720 hours).
Out-of-state applicants will be required to complete an 80-hour equivalency academy.
Verification that you do not meet any of the Sheriff’s Office Automatic Disqualifying Behaviors. (Follow the hyper link to review this list)
Veterans Preference Points
Veteran's Preference: a valid copy of your DD-214 must be
provided with your application materials online to be valid.
Other
Able to qualify with a KCSO-issued firearm at least twice a year.
Able to successfully pass a complete background investigation to include a polygraph exam, psychological evaluation and a medical exam.
King County Sheriff's Office - Lateral Deputy Sheriff 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
Automatic
As an adult, conviction of Attempting to Elude, or Hit and Run.
Conviction of Driving/Physical Control Under the Influence within the last three (3) years.
As an adult, conviction of Reckless or Negligent Driving 1st degree in the last two (2) years.
Potential
Conviction of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
Conviction of Driving/Physical Control Under the Influence more than once.
Driving history that includes but not limited to more than two (2) convictions of major moving violations (Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving 2nd Degree, etc.), within the last ten years.
Pattern of driving misconduct.
Drug Usage
Automatic
Any use of heroin or methamphetamines.
Any possession or use of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) or any other “date rape” drug, including giving it to others.
Any use of illegal drugs within three (3) years of application.
Use of four (4) or more different illegal drugs within the past ten (10) years. Illegal drugs include, but are not limited to, cocaine, ecstasy, meth, LSD, heroin, fentanyl, mushrooms, etc.
Any instance of manufacturing or cultivating illegal drugs for the purpose of sale or distribution.
Use of any illegal drugs while employed in a criminal justice capacity or in the military (federal, state, or local law enforcement, corrections,)
Obtaining a prescription under false pretenses.
Any instance of illegally using a drug after applying to any Law Enforcement agency.
Potential
Marijuana usage in the past 12 months.
Pattern of illegal drug use and/or involvement (cultivating, selling, distributing) with illegal drugs.
Criminal Activity
Automatic
Any adult felony convictions.
Any adult misdemeanor convictions for crimes involving theft, violence, or crimes of dishonesty.
Any other misdemeanor convictions within the last three (3) years.
Any conviction for a sex-related crime.
Any instance of required registration as a sex offender, regardless of conviction status.
Any other crime conviction which disqualifies the candidate from the legal right to possess a firearm under state or federal law.
Any conviction for animal cruelty as defined by RCW 16.52.205
Any conviction for a violation of a court No-Contact, Protection, or Harassment Order
Potential
Incidences of sexual misconduct, regardless of contact by law enforcement or not.
History of physical violence, regardless of contact by law enforcement or not.
Pattern of criminal behavior and/or involvement.
Any conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Other
Automatic
Domestic Violence
Arrest for a domestic violence assault.
Military
• A dishonorable discharge.
Potential
Law Enforcement Certification
• Any suspension, revocation, or denial of a Law Enforcement certificate (CJTC/POST) in any state.
Domestic Violence
Any act of violence classified as Domestic Violence.
Cases or incidents that are considered dismissed/referred/vacated.
Other incidents of violence not involving a domestic relationship.
Military Record
Article 15/UCMJ article violations.
Contact Information
King County Sheriff's Office - Lateral Deputy Sheriff
516 Third Avenue, Room W-150
Seattle, WA 98104
King County 206-263-5276
TESTING IN WASHINGTON STATE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
All pre-employment tests in Washington State have been canceled until May 31, 2020 unless government restrictions are eased. With recent updates, facility closures, and government guidelines, this step is necessary and could be modified at any time. The health and safety of our customers, our staff, and their families is of the highest priority.
We will continue to evaluate developments and make changes to this policy as necessary. When we do resume testing, there will be plenty of events for everyone to test. We are in regular communication with our public safety agency partners, assessing alternatives to the traditional testing model and our testing policies. Any future updates will be posted on the PST website and our Facebook page.
4/1/2020 Update:
If you have tested with PST in the past 12 months, there may be additional positions you are now eligible to add. Several departments have temporarily changed their testing policies due to the suspension in testing that COVID-19 has caused. Please login to your PST account and navigate to the ‘New Positions’ page to see what departments you can add! We will regularly update that page in your account as departments send updates.
FUTURE TEST REGISTRATION
We know that there will be testing in the future - we just don’t know when! We want you to be prepared for when testing begins again so we have created test events on our calendar that you can register for that will place you in a queue to be first notified. These tests are not “real” test events, they are essentially a holding area. You will be able to “reschedule” out of that event to any other event date/location at no cost. Registering now will also give you time to work on your Personal History Statement (PHS) so that your data will be ready and up-to-date to send to your departments once testing resumes.
To sign up for this placeholder event, select the June 15, 2020 test date in your category (police, fire, 911 dispatch, corrections, etc.).
You may also click on the test event of interest below to sign up:
Please check back here frequently and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay updated.
PST staff are working remotely and are available by email at contact@publicsafetytesting.com. We anticipate a high email volume and will respond as quickly as possible.
