Community Service Officer
- Summary
WHO MAY APPLY: Open to the public.
For application instructions and requirements, specific to Sheriff Office positions, please visit Civil Service Application Requirements.
The Community Service Officer is an excellent opportunity to provide meaningful service to the community and gain valuable experience in the field of human services and law enforcement. This is a uniformed, non-commissioned position (will not carry a firearm) supporting King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). The successful candidate will have a passion and aptitude for building community relationships while working with diverse cultures and populations. Responsibilities include supporting Deputies with law enforcement activities that do not require enforcement authority, coordinating community events, and increasing engagement with underrepresented groups.
This position is a civil service position, for information regarding King County Civil Service Rules you can access these rules at Civil Service Rules.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Please contact Michelle Kobuki, 206-477-4740 or by email at michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
WORK SCHEDULE: This position is a full-time (M-F), and eligible for overtime.- Job Duties
The Community Service Officer will support King County Sheriff's Office with law enforcement activities (that do not require powers of arrest) and community engagement such as:
- Engage, liaison and communicate with a diverse community to build a trusting relationship with law enforcement and increase access to services;
- Analyze community relations issues and opportunities for relationship building, cultivating positive relationships,
- Develop, implement and facilitate positive outreach efforts which will include creating and conducting outreach presentations to schools, community groups, service organizations and local businesses;
- Stay up to date with developments, changes and trends in the social landscape
- Coordinate community trainings and events;
- Responds to non-emergent service calls that do not require the enforcement authority of a sworn police officer.
- Mediate and provide crisis intervention for family, landlord/tenant, and neighbor disputes; cases of domestic violence, child/elderly abuse and neglect, mental health issues, deaths;
- Interview victims and witnesses of various crimes and provide referrals and information on social services, laws and ordinances and arrange for emergency services;
- Prepare and write incident reports and reporting for grants;
- Assist traffic control at accidents, hazards, fires, disasters and public events;
- Handle, log and process crime scene evidence.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We are looking for candidates who have relevant experience, education and/or training that provides the background necessary to effectively perform the job duties as well as having the following minimum qualifications:
- A passion and aptitude for working with diverse cultures and populations while building strong community relationships
- A strong aptitude for communicating and engaging with communities and individuals who are elderly, Limited English Proficient (LEP), dealing with chemical dependency and/or mental illness, have a disability or is an at-risk youth
- Proven ability to respect, communicate, and relate well to diverse groups of people regardless of their status, position, or background;
- Effective at building and maintaining relationships; friendly, engaging, strong interpersonal skills
- Has situational awareness and uses tact to diffuse tense situations through personal rapport and communication skills; appreciates and celebrates differences.
- Ability to instill trust by gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity
- Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice in service delivery and engagement with the community.
- Ability to interview and listen empathetically to victims and witnesses of various crimes (assault, rape, homicide, and burglary);
- Ability to perform work in stressful and traumatic conditions.
- Experience working with community-based organizations and the ability to cultivate partnerships to further enhance outreach and engagement plans.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice in service delivery and engagement with the community.
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting healing and resilience in communities who have experienced marginalization and/or trauma.
- Strong interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to effectively use mediation, counseling and/or crisis intervention techniques;
- Ability to effectively speak in public, act as a liaison for the community and successfully manage community outreach programs;
- Basic writing skills with the ability to summarize incidents, inquiries, crime scenes; prepare materials for trainings and public speaking functions;
- Comfort speaking over police radio, operating digital cameras or other audio/visual equipment.
In addition, the most competitive candidates will have the following desired qualifications:- Bilingual or experience working with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities.
- Experience or Education in law enforcement or public safety organizations.
- Experience or Education in counseling, social work, human services or related field.
- Supplemental Information
- Incumbents must possess a valid Washington State Driver's license and will use a marked Sheriff's Office vehicle in the performance of their job duties.
- Training in traffic control, defensive tactics, Emergency Vehicle operations course, report writing and crime prevention techniques will be provided.
- Incumbents in this position will wear a Community Service Officer King County Sheriff's Office uniform or contract city uniform (Burien, SeaTac, Shoreline) while on the job.
- The physical demands of this position requires moderate activity, strength and stamina.
- July 2021; Written Examination
- August 2021; Oral Board Interview
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application.- An online employment application
- Cover and resume
- Complete answers to the supplemental questions.
- Review the list of the KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with the King County Sheriff's Office.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01You must be a current US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident to apply for civil service positions with the King County Sheriff's Office. Are you now a United States citizen?
- Yes
- No
02Can you read, write and speak the English language?- Yes
- No
03The background of all King County Sheriff's Office employees and applicants are thoroughly checked. The required background investigation will review and evaluate driving records, criminal records, employment histories, military records, personal and employment references, and related information. A polygraph examination is also required. Are you willing to undergo a background investigation and polygraph examination as part of the employment process?- Yes
- No
04The King County Sheriff's Office maintains a list of automatic disqualifiers for employment. This list can be accessed by clicking on this link Automatic Disqualifiers. Please review the disqualifiers and respond to the following question before proceeding. Do you certify that based on your review of the automatic disqualifiers that you are qualified for employment with the King County Sheriff's Office? Note - This information will be verified prior to scheduling an oral board interview.- Yes
- No
05Do you certify that you reviewed and adhered to the application standards and requirements outlined in the Civil Service Application Requirements link?- Yes
- No
06This position requires travel to locations throughout King County. Do you have a valid, unencumbered driver's license from the State of Washington OR from another state and willing to obtain an unencumbered Washington State driver's license prior to beginning employment?- Yes
- No
07Relating to your communication skills; what does your education, training, and/or work experience include? Check all that apply.- Interview, mediation, counseling and/or crisis intervention techniques.
- Accurately and thoroughly fill out forms and provide written reports.
- Public speaking and/or community outreach.
- Use computers for basic communication (documents, email, etc.)
- None of the above but willing to learn
08Select the option(s) that best describe your experience working with the following programs or groups. If you do not have experience with the following groups, please select none of the above.- Immigrant/Limited English Proficiency Communities.
- Children, At-Risk Youth
- Domestic/Relationship Violence (survivors and/or prevention programs).
- Elderly Programs
- Alcohol/Drug Abuse Programs
- Veterans
- None of the above
09Are you proficient in speaking a language other than English?- Yes
- No
10If answered yes, please list the languages you speak with basic proficiency. Indicate full fluency if applicable.11Tell us why you want this job and how your experience qualifies you to excel at it. (1/2 page minimum response or will be considered incomplete)Required Question