Deputy Sheriff

Deputy Sheriff

The Grays Harbor County Civil Service Commission is establishing a 2026 eligibility list for entry-level Deputy Sheriff for the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office. The salary range for Deputy Sheriff is $7,417 to $8,587 per month plus benefits. Testing will include physical ability, written, background, and oral exams. See the full 2026 schedule of quarterly exams at this link, which includes all closing dates and exam dates.

Applicants must be 21 years of age by date of hire. Names will be added to the established eligibility list on a quarterly basis; eligible names may remain on the list for six months. All filled positions require successful completion of a 12-month probationary period. Please read this entire notice to clearly understand the application, testing, and screening process. Please retain a copy of this notice to refer to for times and locations throughout the exam process.

Application Process:

To apply for the Deputy Sheriff civil service exams, applicants are encouraged to use  The applications must be submitted by the closing dates provided in the 2026 exam schedule linked above. Late applications will be moved forward to the next quarter's testing, and the applicant will be notified of such. You may also apply using a Word link on the GHC Civil Service webpage,  These applications must be mailed or emailed to Chief Examiner Ballou at the above address, postmarked by the designated closing dates.

A commissioned law enforcement officer whose primary duties are to provide law enforcement services in the unincorporated portions of Grays Harbor County. A Deputy Sheriff performs duties commensurate with professional ethics and attitudes demanded by the police code of ethics, departmental goals and community needs.

The Deputy Sheriff position requires a mature and stable personality and must be able to work under stressful conditions. A Deputy Sheriff must be able to make decisions and take affirmative action in dangerous and unpredictable situations. A Deputy Sheriff must make decisions based on knowledge and experience rather than emotional impact. A Deputy Sheriff must be duty responsive 24 hours a day.

Deputy Sheriffs must be able to assimilate large amounts of complicated information and put this into a clear and concise written form.

Majority of working time is spent outdoors which requires a Deputy Sheriff to be subjected to temperature extremes. A Deputy Sheriff is required to maintain a seasonal uniform in accordance to Department Policies and Procedures. A clothing/uniform allowance is provided by contract. A Deputy Sheriff must occasionally engage in physical confrontations, and/or lift and carry people and objects, requiring good physical condition.

Limited assignments may occur in Identification, Civil, Records, or other parts of the Department. A Deputy Sheriff may serve civil processes and confiscate property by Court Order. A Deputy is required to make independent decisions without supervision subject to departmental review. A Deputy's actions may be subject to community and departmental criticism. A Deputy may also be subject to department discipline and/or lawsuit.

A Deputy Sheriff must have a good geographical knowledge of the county and ability to read maps; be aware of problem areas including commercial, traffic, high crime and known criminals. A Deputy Sheriff is required to be observant and have the ability to distinguish suspicious and irregular activities. A Deputy Sheriff collects information on criminal activity through shift briefings. Deputies conduct preliminary inquiry regarding possible law violations, obtaining and verifying factual information from examination of persons, vehicles and premises.

Deputy Sheriff must have proficient knowledge of traffic laws as required to investigate traffic collisions and facilitate the flow of traffic through the issuance of traffic citations and warnings. A Deputy must observe and identify pedestrian and vehicular irregularities and give information and assistance to motorists. Deputy must have ability to use enforcement aids such as radar, breath testing, for example.

Knowledge of criminal law is necessary to determine what crimes have been committed. Investigations require that Deputies preserve the crime scene, gather, collect and preserve evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, take necessary steps to locate, identify and return property taken from the rightful owner, and take into custody persons responsible for criminal activity per department policy as well as prepare the necessary reports, court appearance and testimony as required.

Reports will be completed in accordance with department policy. A Deputy Sheriff must have the ability and desire to deal with and be responsive to individual needs. Deputies aid in improving police and community relations by participating in community education and one on one interaction with citizens. Deputies must attend, complete and pass the Washington…