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. Essential Duties
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 State Basic Law Enforcement Academy as certified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission and those standards set by the Governor's Commission on training standards as per RCW 43.101.200 or be certified by the WSCJTC Equivalency Academy. Obtain basic first-aid CPR qualifications and maintain qualification as required. Annual ongoing training requirements as per department policy.
Qualifications
Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident and at least 21 years of age by the date of hire. Have no record of felony conviction, no record of gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor conviction for crime involving controlled substances or physical harm; be free from any physical condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff; be free from any psychological condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff based on an evaluation by a clinical psychologist. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Education Development Test. Must be examined by a licensed physician to verify that applicant is physically sound and free from any physical defect which might adversely affect performance as a Deputy Sheriff. In addition to the physical and psychological evaluations mentioned above, applicants will undergo a polygraph exam and be subject to an extensive background check. Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license. This job is subject to a 12-month probation period.
Supplemental Information
Successful candidates must pass four exams. Photo ID is required for admittance. Use the link given above to see each quarter's testing dates.
Test 1: Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- Location: Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 9:00 a.m. in the upstairs meeting room.
- PATs will be held on March 7th, June 13th, September 26th, and December 5th of 2026.
- Standards are as follows: 20 push-ups in 90 seconds, 25 sit-ups in 90 seconds, 35 squat-thrusts in 3 minutes.
- Use this video link to prepare for the PAT: The Physical Ability Test (PAT) | Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
- On test day, you must sign a responsibility release before the PAT. Consult your doctor before the exam if you have concerns.
- PAT is scored Pass/Fail; you must pass all three events to advance to the written exam.
Test 2: Written Exam
- Location: Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 12:45 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room.
- Same dates as listed for PAT above.
- Electronic devices to remain in your vehicle.
- Multiple choice exam with 80 possible points.
- Must score 70% or better to pass and qualify for Test 3 (PEBE) and Test 4 (Oral Board).
- Two hours are allowed for the exam.
- You may purchase a study guide at the following link: . Look for the "POA" version.
Test 3: Pre-Eligibility Background Exam (PEBE)
- Issued via email to those passing the written exam. Return per exam's included instructions.
- This exam is a 30-question background questionnaire.
Test 4: Oral Board (OB) Interview
- Location: Forestry Building, 310 W. Spruce Ave. in Montesano; sign-in on the 2nd floor.
- Those qualified for the OB will receive appointment information via emailed letter.
- Score of 70% is required to pass the OB and advance to placement on the Deputy Sheriff Eligibility List.
Scoring: Those who pass the civil service exams described above will
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. Essential Duties
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 State Basic Law Enforcement Academy as certified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission and those standards set by the Governor's Commission on training standards as per RCW 43.101.200 or be certified by the WSCJTC Equivalency Academy. Obtain basic first-aid CPR qualifications and maintain qualification as required. Annual ongoing training requirements as per department policy.
Qualifications
Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident and at least 21 years of age by the date of hire. Have no record of felony conviction, no record of gross misdemeanor/misdemeanor conviction for crime involving controlled substances or physical harm; be free from any physical condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff; be free from any psychological condition which might adversely affect performance of duty as a Deputy Sheriff based on an evaluation by a clinical psychologist. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Education Development Test. Must be examined by a licensed physician to verify that applicant is physically sound and free from any physical defect which might adversely affect performance as a Deputy Sheriff. In addition to the physical and psychological evaluations mentioned above, applicants will undergo a polygraph exam and be subject to an extensive background check. Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license. This job is subject to a 12-month probation period.
Supplemental Information
Successful candidates must pass four exams. Photo ID is required for admittance. Use the link given above to see each quarter's testing dates.
Test 1: Physical Ability Test (PAT)
- Location: Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 9:00 a.m. in the upstairs meeting room.
- PATs will be held on March 7th, June 13th, September 26th, and December 5th of 2026.
- Standards are as follows: 20 push-ups in 90 seconds, 25 sit-ups in 90 seconds, 35 squat-thrusts in 3 minutes.
- Use this video link to prepare for the PAT: The Physical Ability Test (PAT) | Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
- On test day, you must sign a responsibility release before the PAT. Consult your doctor before the exam if you have concerns.
- PAT is scored Pass/Fail; you must pass all three events to advance to the written exam.
Test 2: Written Exam
- Location: Montesano City Hall, 112 N. Main in Montesano, at 12:45 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room.
- Same dates as listed for PAT above.
- Electronic devices to remain in your vehicle.
- Multiple choice exam with 80 possible points.
- Must score 70% or better to pass and qualify for Test 3 (PEBE) and Test 4 (Oral Board).
- Two hours are allowed for the exam.
- You may purchase a study guide at the following link: . Look for the "POA" version.
Test 3: Pre-Eligibility Background Exam (PEBE)
- Issued via email to those passing the written exam. Return per exam's included instructions.
- This exam is a 30-question background questionnaire.
Test 4: Oral Board (OB) Interview
- Location: Forestry Building, 310 W. Spruce Ave. in Montesano; sign-in on the 2nd floor.
- Those qualified for the OB will receive appointment information via emailed letter.
- Score of 70% is required to pass the OB and advance to placement on the Deputy Sheriff Eligibility List.
Scoring: Those who pass the civil service exams described above will
