KCSO receives your scores 7-10 days after your initial test date.  Once you begin the background investigation, you might know in as quickly as 5-6 months whether you will be offered a job, or as long as 10-12 months depending upon the timing of your Oral Board and the extent of the investigation. The background investigation is based on your ranking on the Civil Service Eligibility List and begins after the Oral Board.  The candidate must have completed all required documents, questionnaires, and references.

No. Our hiring process deliberately requires three to six in-person appointments.

There is some consolidation of those appointments for out-of-state candidates, so that the process requires only 3 trips (written/physical test, oral board & post-conditional offer appointments).

Yes it does. Once you are hired, you will need to work with our Human Resources personnel to complete the necessary paperwork.

No. Our retirement system is LEOFF 2. Unless you have prior law enforcement experience in this state before entering the military, there is no provision for buying into the system. It is possible to buy back service credits once you are in the LEOFF system.

For additional questions on retirement, visit www.drs.wa.gov.

No. Generally the on-campus housing and meals program at CJTC is reserved for agencies located more than 40 miles away.  King County deputies attending the academy are responsible for commuting. If this will create a tremendous hardship, you may consider going in on an apartment with a couple of your classmates, or commute during the week from a friend or family member's home.

The SWAT Unit generally requires a minimum of four years experience with the Sheriff’s Office. This is true of the other specialty units as well. Most detective units require between 3 and 5 years experience. Other units like Traffic, City Contracting, Metro/Sound Transit and SRO simply require that you have successfully completed probation. Laterals who complete probation can apply your experience elsewhere to meet some specialty unit requirements. 

There will be no tattoos above the neck nor on the hands of all members.  All other tattoos are permitted as long as they are not offensive to anyone nor to any group of people.   The Sheriff reserves the right to request employees with full-sleeve tattoos to wear long-sleeved uniform shirts year round.  No earrings are permitted on male deputies while in uniform.

Yes. Please bring your DD-214 with you to your Oral Board interview. The Civil Service Administration Unit will then calculate the appropriate percentage to add to your passing score, which will move your ranking up on the Civil Service Eligibility List.

Ride alongs are scheduled for candidates once they have successfully completed the Oral Board. At that time, candidates also will be given the opportunity to participate in the KCSO Mentoring Program.  Your mentor will be your first ride and then he/she can facilitate more, if you wish.