The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is a federally recognized Indian Tribe that occupies the Swinomish Reservation on the Puget Sound in Washington State. The Tribe is governed by a Constitution and Bylaws that was originally adopted in 1936 and by the Swinomish Senate, the Tribe’s governing body, which is comprised of 11 elected members who serve staggered five year terms.

The Swinomish Reservation is located on the southeastern end of Fidalgo Island a few miles east of the City of Anacortes and a few miles west of the City of Mount Vernon in Skagit County. The Reservation is surrounded by 27 miles of salt water shoreline and is bounded on the west by Skagit Bay, on the east by Swinomish Channel and on the north by Padilla Bay. It's connected to the mainland by a 4-lane bridge and State Highway 20 on the north end of Swinomish Channel and by a 2-lane bridge on the south end. Tribal headquarters are located in the historic Swinomish Village on the southeast portion of the Reservation, across the Channel from the Town of La Conner.

The Reservation is approximatley 15 square miles in size and includes 7,450 acres of upland and approximately 2,900 acres of tidelands. Today, the Tribe exercises jurisdictional authority over all lands within the Reservation boundaries, and provides governmental and other services to tribal members, non-member Indians and non-Indians, including 24 hour police protection, water and sewer service, and planning and permitting services that are available to all residents within the Reservation. The Tribe also provides services and programs for tribal members, including education, housing, senior services, and medical and dental services.

The Swinomish Police Department is a small, tightly knit police department that encompasses a Chief, Lieutenant, 2 Sergeants, a Corporal, a Detective and 8 Officers with 2 Community Service Officers. Our department strongly emphasizes community-oriented policing. The call load allows us the opportunity to conduct pro-active police work along with responding to calls for service. This enables us to deploy a combination of pro-active and reactive patrol tactics. You have the opportunity to work a case from beginning to end, giving your input and advice through each stage of the process. The Swinomish Police Department has many specialty units and training opportunities to include all types of instructor positions-Defensive Tactics/EVOC/Less Lethal/RADAR/Field Training Officer//Swift and Cold Water Rescue Unit/Back Country Tracker, as well as Marine/boat patrol, UAS/Drone Pilot, Drug Task Force Detective with the Skagit County Drug Task Force and Explorer Advisor Program Manager. These positions pay a 4% premium on top of any educational incentive. All of our employees are expected to be generalists and to work to accomplish the mission of the police department through P.R.I.D.E, Professionalism, Respect, Intelligence, Determination and Ethical behavior.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Supervised by: Sergeant

The Community Service Officers that work for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Police Department perform a variety of specialized and technical law enforcement duties in support of Police Department operations in the areas of patrol, property and evidence, training, juvenile services. or other areas as assigned.  They also provide information and assistance to the general public and answer citizen inquiries; as well as perform a variety of other non-sworn law enforcement, clerical, and administrative functions in support of Police Department services and activities not requiring sworn Police Officer status.

Community Service Officers are limited-commission officers, required to attend the Washington State Corrections Officer's Academy or equivalent. They are the primary transport officers for the police department. responsible for the safe and efficient movement of prisoners to and from jails, prisons, hospitals, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Respond toa variety of calls to service to include traffic collisions, hazardous calls, property crimes (thefts, property destruction, vehicle thefts, frauds, lost or stolen property, cold burglaries, etc.) under the supervision of a commissioned officer, or in lieu of, based on level of training.

2. Investigate, enforce, and issue infractions under designated Chapters of the Swinomish Tribal Code. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Animal Control Laws under STC Title 10, Chapters 3 and 4 which are the Dog Control and Dangerous Dog laws for the Swinomish Tribe. Shall be responsible for enforcing local laws relating to animals and for appropriately applying those laws and procedures as outlined in the Swinomish PD Policy Manual and Tribal Codes. Respond to animal calls and take appropriate actions to control the animal, to include, taking into custody and transportation to the proper facility such as PD holding kennel or Humane Society.

• Laws relating to Tribal Properties under STC Title 2, Chapter3which includes infractions that occur within Tribal buildings, Tribal Properties and the Talawhalt development.

• Laws relating to the Port Authority under STC Title2, Chapter 11 which includes infractions that occur within the jurisdictional area of the Port Authority and that promote the safety and security of that area. The Community Service Officer will investigate, enforce and issue citations for violations of the regulations or laws if so designated by the Port Authority Board.

• Laws relating to Abandoned Property and Junk Vehicles under STC Title 10, Chapter7.

• Laws relating to Parking under STC 501.600. 610, and 615.This includes being proactive while on patrol to enforce parking codes and regulations by issuing warnings or infractions as applicable and having vehicles towed as required. Advise the general public on laws and regulations as it pertains to parking.

3. Provide traffic control for traffic collisions, potential hazardous situations, crime scenes, fires, funerals, community events, and during power outages and other weather-related incidents amongst other conditions as directed.

4. Oversee or assist programs and functions such as Reserve, Explorer, and Citizen Patrol programs.

5. Oversee assigned programs and functions; assist with volunteer programs including Reserve and Explorer programs.

6. Provide information and assistance to the general public; answer citizen inquiries and respond to complaints and requests for services. Provide information to violators, general public, businesses, school communities, and other government agencies regarding codes, laws, and ordinances as well as department services, programs, and practices.

7. When requested, provide the services of a Court Bailiff as described in STC Title3, Chapter1.This may include, but is not limited to, maintain security during court sessions and provide the transportation of defendants to and from court appearances.

8. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

-Minimum21yearsof age

-High School diploma or GED required, Associate of Arts Degree or equivalent to 60 semester units of college credits preferred.

-Have a Washington state driver's license or ability to obtain prior to employment

-Willing to complete a background check, polygraph examination and drug screening prior to beginning employment. No misdemean or convictions in the past five years, no felony convictions.(Note: certain misdemeanor convictions may be automatic disqualifiers even if they are more than five years in the past at the discretion of the Chief of Police)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

-Washington State Driver's License

-Strong verbal and written communication skills

-Competency in the use of computers for conducting research. completing reports, email, etc.

-Ability to work on board watercraft.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND TIME COMMITMENT

Workscheduleis40hoursperweek.This is a full-time position.

Primary functions of this position require excellent physical ability and mobility in order to work in an office and field setting; to walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; frequently lift and/or move moderate to heavyweights; occasionally lift and/or move heavy weights; operate law enforcement and general office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

The Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community apply to all employees. The position of Community Service Officer is considered to be a "non-standard" hours position, eligible for overtime. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a drug and alcohol screening. If the position involves regular contact with or control over children or elders. then a successful applicant must also meet minimum standards of character based on an extended criminal background check.

Swinomish Tribal Police Department - Community Service Officer has 1 vacancy.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is June 16, 2025.

We are hiring for one position at this time. 

Starting Salary for new officers attending the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is $43.37 per hour, $7517 per month and $90216 per year.  EXPERIENCED, ADVANCED, EXCEPTIONAL OR LATERAL OFFICERS START AT A HIGHER WAGE AND VACATION ACCRUAL RATE IN LINE WITH THEIR LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE.

The above DOES NOT include any educational incentives, 4% for any Associates Degree or 6% for a Bachelor's Degree.  There is additional pay of 4% for specialty positions like EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course-Driving), Skills Positions-Less Lethal, Stop Sticks, Bola Wrap, Taser, Radar/Lidar Instructor as well as Detectibes, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, Drone Operator, Marine/Boat Patrol, Federal Task Force Officer and Field Training Officer.  EDUCATION INCENTIVE AND SPECIALTY PAY CAN BE STACKED TOGETHER.  Opportunities to move into a specialty position or assignment much faster than other agencies.  We work the Pittman Schedule, so you are guaranteed every other weekend off.  MORE TIME for you and your FAMILY.  We have a great atmosphere and our equipment is top notch.  

-Starting salary for ENTRY LEVEL CANDIDATES is 24.62 – 27.84 DOE plus incentives.

-The work schedule is four 10-hour shifts since the Swinomish Tribe is closed on Fridays.  

-New Uniforms and equipment and firearm are provided.

-401k match up to 4%.

-14 Paid Holidays including Native and Indigenous Days.

-Vacation Accrual rates based off of experience

-Up to 240 hours of Parental Leave per year.

-Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance provided. 40 hours of Bereavement Leave for immediate family members. Employee Assistance Program is also available.