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. It strongly emphasizes community-oriented policing. The Swinomish Police Department has many specialty units and training opportunities to include all types of instructor positions, marine patrol, UAS Pilot, task force officer and other positions. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Swinomish Police Officers are certified, general-authority officers who perform work involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the maintenance of order, the investigation of crimes, and the reduction of crimes. Police officers provide services and education to the police and perform other related work as required. The work is performed in accordance with accepted, contemporary policing practices and departmental regulations.

This position requires consistent attention and commitment to the Department's vision and mission. All assigned duties and tasks are expected to be performed effectively, efficiently, and safely. The police officer must accept the responsibility to support and promote the department and community's mission and comply with their directives. Personal conduct and behavior must be such that they do not bring disrepute and unnecessarily endanger the public's trust or confidence in the department or its members. This position requires a high level of problem-solving ability, self-initiative, and the ability and willingness to work most of the time without supervision. Successful performers are capable and willing to make decisions consistent with the Department’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Major duties involve responding to calls for service, patrolling in a directed manner, deterring and detecting crime, investigating complaints, citing and/or arresting law violators, following up on pending reports and cases, and protecting persons and property. When not responding to priority calls for service or otherwise directed by a supervisor, the police officer is expected to use self-directed work time efficiently by self-initiating work on neighborhood problems and seeking solutions consistent with the Department's mission. The qualified police officer may temporarily assume a Sergeant's duties, activities, and tasks as necessary.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

- Knowledge and understanding of the problems and attitudes of people of all ethnic and economic groups regarding law enforcement agencies.

- Ability to adapt to shift work

- Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, recognizing actual and potential dangers and determining a proper and legal course of action

- Ability to write clear incident reports, organizing details logically

- Ability to read, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations

- Ability to cope with situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights

- Ability to speak well and express oneself clearly

- Ability to communicate effectively with a diversity of people, including those with social and behavioral complications

- Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with fellow employees and with citizens from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds

- Ability to develop skills in the use and care of a variety of firearms and less-than-lethal tools

- Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks such as pursuing fleeing suspects on foot or arresting suspects who resist

- Ability to learn and use investigative techniques and procedures

- Ability to observe and remember details

- Ability to complete satisfactorily the prescribed courses in training at the police academy

- Excellent driving ability

WORK HOURS AND TIME COMMITMENT

The work schedule is 40+ hours per week, with a Pitman schedule structure, and earning overtime for extra hours worked.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

The Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community apply to all employees. The position of Police Officer is considered to be a “non-standard” hours position, eligible for overtime. All offers of employment are contingent on completing 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.

HIRING POLICIES AND INSTRUCTIONS

- The Tribe uses Native American preferences when hiring

- The Tribe strive's for a drug-free environment. Drug/alcohol screening is mandatory.

Swinomish Tribal Police Department - Police Officer has 3 vacancies.

We are currently building an entry level eligibility list. 

•Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance

•Generous vacation and sick leave

•Flexible spending account

•Employee assistance program

•Take home vehicle

•Uniforms and equipment provided