Washington County is a vibrant and diverse region located in the heart of the Portland metropolitan area, offering the perfect blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. As one of the fastest growing counties in Oregon, it is home to over 600,000 residents and includes a mix of thriving cities, small towns, and scenic rural communities. The county is known for its strong economy, driven by industries such as technology, healthcare, education, agriculture, and manufacturing. It is home to the Silicon Forest, where high-tech companies like Intel have a major presence. Washington County also boasts top rated schools, a variety of higher education institutions, and access to the world class healthcare.

Residents enjoy a high quality of life with abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hundreds of parks, miles of hiking and biking trails, and proximity to the Oregon coast, the Cascade Mountains, and the Columbia River Gorge. The area also offers a rich cultural scene with diverse restaurants, art venues, farmers markets, and community festivals throughout the year.

Washington County values community engagement, equity, and innovation, making it ideal for public service professionals who want to make a difference. Whether you're drawn to the area for career growth, family life, or natural beauty, Washington offers a welcoming and dynamic environment to live and work.

As one of Oregon’s most progressive and professional law enforcement agencies, WCSO is committed to public safety, community partnerships, and service with integrity.

Our team is composed of over 260 full-time sworn deputies who provide a wide range of law enforcement services with a focus on crime prevention, community engagement, and specialized response. We offer opportunities with strong paths for advancement and specialization.

WCSO is proud to offer numerous full-time specialty units that provide critical services and proactive enforcement across the region, including:

• Traffic Safety Unit (TSU)
• Motors
• DUII cars
• Motor Carrier Unit
• Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT)
• Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN)
• Mental Health Response Team (MHRT)
• Youth Services Officer (YSO)
• Homeless Outreach (HOPE)
• K-9
• U.S. Marshals Task Force
• Nike
• Detectives
• Child Abuse
• Property Crimes
• Special Investigations
• Survival Skills Coordinator
• Firearms Program Coordinator
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Coordinator

These assignments allow deputies to apply specialized training and develop deep expertise in areas that directly impact public safety and community well-being.

In addition to full-time roles, deputies have the chance to participate in a wide range of collateral or part-time assignments, gaining valuable experience and contributing to mission-critical operations. These include:

• Marine Patrol
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
• Reserve Deputy Coordinator
• Crash Analysis and Reconstruction (CART)
• Air Support Unit (AIR 5)
• Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU)
• Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT)
• Incident Management Team (IMT)
• Remotely Operated Vehicle Team (ROVT)
• Survival Skills Coordinators
• Firearms
• Defensive Tactics
• Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVO)

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Attend the Oregon Board on Public Safety Standards and Training Basic Academy; receive instruction in major areas of law enforcement, firearms use, and officer defense; complete assigned written and performance examinations.

2. Train to patrol county roads, highways, businesses, and residential areas by teaming with an officer of a higher grade; enforce traffic and criminal laws; operate radar; check property security; and investigate road and safety hazards.

3. Train in the investigation of reported criminal activity; under supervision, respond to community complaints; gather evidence and take latent fingerprints; interview and take statements from victims and offenders.

4. Train in the investigation of traffic accidents, determine circumstances, take statements, perform first aid, call ambulances and tow trucks, and offer general assistance.

5. Assist in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforce a safe workplace; establish a culture of teamwork and communication; create a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and actively promote an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

6. Train in the investigation of civil disturbances; answer calls for assistance such as family disputes, public disturbances, animal control, and lost children.

7. Learn the proper report and records procedures of the Sheriff's Office and prepare reports on investigated disturbances, crimes, accidents, and traffic enforcement for departmental, court, and state use.

8. Train in and assist patrol partner in procedures and techniques of making arrests; transport offenders to jail; administer breathalyzer test if appropriate; transport prisoners and patients under custody to institutions and courts.

9. Assist the public by answering inquiries about laws, regulations, and ordinances; act as desk officer to receive complaints and dispatch mobile units.

10. Learn to serve subpoenas and warrants of arrest.

11. Learn proper court procedures; appear in court as a witness.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to learn principles of law enforcement and State criminal and traffic laws; ability to learn the operation of police firearms, radar, and radio equipment; ability to perform effectively in stressful or emergency situations; ability to make logical deductions and hypotheses; ability to obtain information though interviews; ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms; ability to deal both tactfully and firmly with individuals; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, whether members of the public or coworkers, from diverse groups and backgrounds; ability to accept constructive criticism within a training environment.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office - Recruit Patrol Deputy has 25 vacancies.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is continuously hiring patrol deputies.

$77K - $105K annually plus incentives and overtime.

• Merit Increases – salary step increases granted upon satisfactory performance and completion of 26 qualified pay periods.
• Bilingual Pay (for bilingual designated positions) – 5% of the base pay rate, or a flat rate of seventy-five ($75) per pay period, whichever is greater.
• Incentive Pay – 2 to 8% based on certification levels, training, college education, and years of service.
• Premium Pay for various special assignments (Field Training Officer, Tactical Negotiations Team – SWAT, Motorcycle Officer, Corrections Emergency Response Team, and K-9.
• Overtime and/or compensatory time allowances for overtime, callback, and court appearance.
• Uniforms include initial tailoring, duty gear, and a firearm.
• Clothing allowance – $75 per month, if assigned to plain clothes duty full-time.
• Footwear allowance – $150 per year.

Washington County Sheriff's Office offers its employees a collaborative culture, professional development opportunities, and a comprehensive total compensation package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision for employee, spouse/domestic partner, and children
• VEBA account with County contribution
• Life and AD&D Insurance, Occupational Life, Long-term Disability
• Paid time-off in lieu of holidays and other employee leaves (vacation, sick, military, and more)
• Oregon PERS/OPSRP (with 6% PERS Pick-up) and Deferred Compensation
• Tuition reimbursement

For a complete list of premium pay and other benefits, refer to the Washington County Police Officers' Association (WCPOA) collective bargaining agreement. To explore additional benefits offered, visit Employee Benefits.