Located in Whatcom County, the City of Ferndale is rapidly expanding in both population and geographic area. Located four miles north of Bellingham, the City covers approximately five square miles. Interstate 5 passes through the middle of the City and provides easy access via three exits. The Canadian border is 15 minutes North of the City, and Seattle is an hour and a half south. Ferndale is centrally located, allowing the 15,000 residents to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking at Mt. Baker, or beach activities at Birch Bay and the Puget Sound. Industry, such as the BP refinery and Intalco Aluminum processing plant provide much of the local employment.

The Ferndale Police Department consists of 26 commissioned officers and 5 support personnel. Ferndale is a vibrant community of over 15,000 people located on the Interstate 5 corridor, approximately 6 miles north of Bellingham and 13 miles south of the Canadian border.

·4 Ten-Hour Shifts per week (Mon-Thu or Thu-Sun) with Night Shift Premium Pay

·Thursday Crossover Training Days

·Premium Pay for Specialized Positions

-Detectives, SWAT, Firearms, Active Shooter, EVOC, Tac Med, Less Lethal, FTO

·Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Leave

·Medical/Dental/Vision

·Education Incentive

·Longevity Pay

-Initial Gear Provided upon Hire 

·Clothing Allowance

-Monthly Ammunition Allowance (100 rounds 9mm / 100 rounds .223)

·LEOFF 2 Retirement/Washington Deferred Compensation Program

·Take-Home Vehicle

-On-Duty Workout Time Authorized

The police officer is responsible for day-to-day general law enforcement services. Duties depend on the day to -day activities for patrol, traffic, crime scene investigation, reporting and recording, field training and other functions and also serving as officer-in charge without direct supervision for limited night and over night shifts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs foot and vehicle patrols of business, residential, and industrial districts, schools, and other areas to provide security, surveillance, and assistance as required.

2. Responds to calls, conducts interviews, performs crime scene investigations and photo tasks, arrest and other such tasks as may be required.

3. Assists in day-to-day department communications, training, evidence handling, equipment services and liaison functions.

4. Directs vehicle and pedestrian movements when required and enforces traffic and parking ordinances. This includes radar enforcement, making investigations and reports on traffic incidents, issuing citations, 

      and performing related functions.

5. Performs a variety of administrative and judicial support functions; including preparing reports, testifying in court, transporting prisoners to and from jail.

6. Carries out special duties and details as assigned; takes appropriate action on matters requiring attention and participates in departmental staff meetings, training classes, policy planning and review activities.

7. Operates patrol vehicles and other law enforcement equipment such as; firearms, less lethal munitions, stun propellants, handcuffs, flashlights, portable radios, radar units, leg restraints, typewriters, 

    computers, latent fingerprint kits, cameras, portable breath testers and BAC verifiers.

8. Performs in a manner which supports teamwork and enhances the City / Department in the accomplishments of the stated missions and expectations.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Completes continuing education related assignments, and maintains firearms qualifications and other required certifications; assists in field training of new police officers and assists other officers on projects 

     and day-to-day activities and assignments.

2. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Collateral Duty Assignments:

Field Training Officer: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities and have completed an approved FTO instructor class and received FTO certification through the Criminal Justice Training Commission, or the ability to complete same prior to appointment.

Defensive Tactics Instructor: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities and have completed defensive tactics instructor certification through the Criminal Justice Training Commission, or the ability to complete within twelve months of appointment.

School Resource Officer: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities, or equivalent, with responsibilities for community service and educational requirements.

Firearms Instructor: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities and have completed firearms instructor certification through the Criminal Justice Training Commission, or the ability to complete within six months of appointment.

Armorer: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities and have completed firearms specific armorer certification and/or gunsmith educational programs, or the ability to complete within six months of appointment.

Crime Prevention Officer: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities with responsibilities for community service and educational requirements.

Canine Handler: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities and have completed all canine handler certifications and education as required, or the ability to complete within six months of appointment. This appointment is subject to call out on off-duty time for canine related incidents.

Drug Task Force Officer: Must have (2) year experience in public safety, law enforcement activities, or equivalent with responsibilities in investigations and related functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed indoors in a police department environment and outdoors on bicycle, foot, or patrol vehicles throughout the city. Duties involve performance of law enforcement with high risks and hazards such as involved in the apprehension of criminals, intervention in domestic violence cases or protection of citizen’s lives and properties.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Completion of High School or GED

2. Ability to obtain a Washington State Peace Officer certification within six months of hire date.

3. Lateral Entry: Candidates must meet the qualifications listed in this job description, have a minimum of 12 months experience as a commissioned police officer in a public law enforcement agency, and 

    have a background inquiry conducted.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. No prior disqualifying criminal history, mandatory polygraph, psychological evaluation, credit checks, position examination, oral examination and background investigation.

2. Valid Washington Driver’s license and safe driving record.

3. Physical ability to perform essential functions of the job. Also, must pass related physical capacities evaluation at time of hire.

The eligibility list is a continuous listing and maintained as scores are received from PST with oral board interview conducted on an as-needed basis. Vacancies are filled by Civil Service "rule of three" with the top three candidates forwarded to the appointing authority for background investigation & selection as vacancies occur.

Number of current vacancies: 0

*Lateral Applicants are not required to take a written test.  Please contact the Ferndale Police Department directly for a Lateral Level Application.

Effective January 1, 2024

1st Year: $7,081

2nd Year: $7,293

3rd Year: $7,586

4th Year: $7,891

5th Year: $8,388

6th Year: $8,513

7th Year: $8,641

8th Year: $8,814

Premium Pay for Specialized Positions
Detectives, SWAT, Firearms, Active Shooter, EVOC, Tac Med, Less Lethal, FTO
Medical/Dental/Vision
Education Incentive
Longevity Pay
Clothing Allowance
LEOFF 2 Retirement/Washington Deferred Compensation Program

-Medical Coverage: 5% co-pay monthly premium; 

-Dental Coverage: 100 % Employer Provided;

-Vision Coverage: 100% Employer Provided.

-Take Home Vehicle Policy

·4 Ten-Hour Shifts per week (Mon-Thu or Thu-Sun) with Night Shift Premium Pay

·Thursday Crossover Training Days

·Premium Pay for Specialized Positions

-Detectives, SWAT, Firearms, Active Shooter, EVOC, Tac Med, Less Lethal, FTO

·Paid Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Leave

·Education Incentive

·Longevity Pay

-Initial Gear Provided upon Hire

·Clothing Allowance

-Monthly Ammunition Allowance (100 rounds 9mm / 100 rounds .223)

·LEOFF 2 Retirement/Washington Deferred Compensation Program

-On-Duty Workout Time Authorized