Salary: $35.81 - $46.38 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Civil Service
Job Number: CS26-02
Department: Sheriff - Corrections
Opening Date: 01/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

**Lateral Candidates DO NOT need to take a written exam. If you are a commissioned corrections officer and are interested in a lateral opportunity, please contact Pierce County Civil Service at ** New lateral hires receive a hiring incentive of $25,000 and 80 hours of sick leave available immediately and 80 hours of vacation leave available for use after six months of employment.Questions
If you have any questions regarding testing, the background process, or the position, please send them to the Human Resources Specialist at You may also request to schedule an appointment by phone if you prefer.

About the Sheriff's Office:The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has over 300 corrections staff who maintain the safety of the community by supervising approximately 1100 inmates in two facilities as well as providing for the movement between the Pierce County Corrections Detention Center and the courts. As a corrections deputy, you will work in the housing units. Corrections deputies hold a limited commission and are armed.Why it's a great opportunity:The Pierce County Sheriff's Office prides itself on upholding our Core Values: Courage, Compassion, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. Pierce County Sheriff's corrections deputies are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism to serve citizens and help make Pierce County one of the best places to live and work in the beautiful Great Northwest. We encourage you to learn more about our office by clicking here.Future Opportunities:The Sheriff's Office has a variety of assignments available for corrections deputies such as booking deputy, central control operator, court escort, training deputy or classifications specialist. There are also promotional opportunities to move up through the ranks of leadership.
Position Summary

This is work performed to provide care and custody of adult prisoners and to maintain order and discipline among the prisoners of the Pierce County Corrections and Detention Center, a maximum-security facility. Employees in this classification are responsible for the operation of the jail on a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week basis, and the direct and indirect supervision of inmates.

• Monitor and control the activities of inmates, either individually or in groups.
• Supervise inmates during mealtime feeding, visitation time, recreation, counseling and work assigned to prisoners.
• Use independent judgment to take emergency action when necessary, including verbal de-escalation, physical and lethal uses of force.
• Take informal action to correct inmate behavior as appropriate.
• Conduct security checks and maintain security in all areas of the jail, as assigned.
• Write all required reports/documentation of activity.
• Investigate suspected rule violations.
• Perform all physical and administrative tasks to book, search, and release prisoners.
• Answer telephone calls and monitor jail access and egress.
• Operate office equipment, communications equipment, personal computers and corrections automated systems.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to people of all ages and from all social, cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
• Perform duties of the position in a confined, controlled and high security environment.
• Perform the functions and duties of all shifts in all required areas of the facility.
• When commissioned and authorized, carry arms while transporting prisoners outside the jails or on other specific assigned duties.

Click for a classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions, competencies, physical demands and working conditions/environment.
Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY:

• Possess a valid correction officers' commission in Washington State or equivalent commission from a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) approved agency.
• Successfully completed a Field Training Officer (FTO) period providing direct and/or indirect supervision of inmates in an adult corrections facility.
• Must have successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Corrections Officer Academy or possess an equivalent Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission certification as a Corrections Deputy

OR

• If no WA CJTC certificate, then have successfully completed the Washington State Correctional Worker Core (CWC) Academy or a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission approved Corrections Academy or equivalency academy from another state.

• High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
• At least age twenty (20) at time of appointment.
• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment and be able to provide proof of insurability.
• Must be a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) recipient, and ability to speak, read and write the English language as required by RCW 41.14.100.
• Ability to pass the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission physical fitness requirements.
• Ability to successfully complete Pierce County Sheriff's Office background investigation.

Supplemental Information

Process after application is submitted:

• Based upon the results of the experience and training assessment (which is part of the application), applicants will be ranked and placed on a civil service employment register.
• Once the register is established, you will receive an email with your score and rank on the register.
• Your information will be sent to the Background Unit, and you will receive an email with instructions on how to begin the background process.
• Applicants undergo a comprehensive pre-employment background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, a personal history statement, pre-oral board interview, oral board, polygraph, fingerprinting, suitability assessment report (SAR) as well as criminal records, credit, driving, reference and employment checks. After a conditional offer of employment is given, applicants take the psychological and medical exams.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email Civil Service at [email protected] and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

ATTENTION: All communication from Pierce County Civil Service is sent by email using the email address listed on your application. This may include communication that contains confidential or private information such as exam results and reasons for removal, etc. You are responsible for keeping your email address updated.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place people are proud to call home?

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
ORCA Passport Program
Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.
Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.