Community Information
Whatcom County is nestled along the Canadian border, beautifully positioned between the San Juan Islands and the Cascade mountain range, this safe, scenic community is nationally recognized for its quality of life and diverse recreational opportunities. From award-winning skiing and snowboarding to hundreds of miles of trails, to kayaking in both fresh and saltwater, everything is closer than you think in Whatcom County!
For more information, visit the following:
Rick Steves Visits Whatcom County (videos on Whatcom County outdoor adventure, arts & culture, local breweries, distilleries and farms)
Visit Bellingham & Whatcom County
Department Information
The Sheriff of Whatcom County is Donnell "Tank" Tanksley. He heads a department of over 220 staff. The Corrections Division consists of the main Jail, which holds approximately 245 full-custody offenders; a minimum-security Jail Work Center, which holds 155 offenders; and a Jail Alternatives Center, which supervises programs (Electronic Home Detention/Monitoring, Work Release, In- and Out-of-Custody Work Crews) to allow offenders to satisfy court jail time requirements without being held in the main Jail.
Corrections Deputies have the opportunity to work in a variety of different specialty sub-divisions, including classification, programs, and transportation. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
For Jail information, contact:
Lt. Caleb Erickson: CErickso@co.whatcom.wa.us
Phone: 360-778-6500
Whatcom County Jail, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Area Information
County: Whatcom
Population: 225,685
# of Staff:
Hiring Status
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Corrections Deputy has 12 vacancies.
Whatcom County's Civil Service Commission continuously maintains eligibility lists of entry-level, lateral entry, and certified entry Corrections Deputy. We establish new eligibility lists after each oral board.
Please check our employment web page for information on our hiring process. Also review our recruitment brochure.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to review our list of Automatic Disqualifiers before applying.
After completing your PST testing: Please watch your email for an invitation to complete a Whatcom County Employment Application. An application must be completed before you are considered eligible for participation in the Oral Board. Oral Boards will be scheduled periodically, based on need. Candidates will be contacted in priority order based on written exam score.
Questions about the application or hiring process, please contact HRCS@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Questions about the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, please contact Communications Program Specialist, Deb Slater at DSlater@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Salary Information
Entry-level Corrections Deputies start between $32.84 - $46.70 per hour and receive annual pay increases for the first six years, then every three years afterwards.
Additional compensation paid to deputies with an AA or BA degree. Premiums available for bilingual certification and specialty assignments.
- 2025 scheduled increase: 3%
For more information please view the Wage Table online.
Benefit Information
Whatcom County offers a comprehensive
benefits package with medical, dental and vision coverage for employees,
spouses and eligible dependents. Our
benefits package also includes attractive paid leave provisions. Employees
participate in the Washington State Retirement System and may also enroll in an
optional deferred compensation program.
Detailed benefit information is available on our website.
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Corrections Deputy Requirements
| Category |
Requirement |
Required at time of... |
| |
|
Test |
Hire |
| Written Examination |
Yes, required
|
|
|
|
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT)
|
Yes, required
Your physical ability test must be completed 180 days (~6 months) before or after your passing written exam.
|
|
|
| Minimum Age |
21
|
|
|
| Citizenship |
US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
|
|
|
| High School Grad/ GED |
Yes
|
|
|
| Driver's License Required |
Yes
|
|
|
| Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult |
None.
|
|
|
| Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language |
Yes
|
|
|
| Vision Requirements |
Correctable to 20/20
|
|
|
| College Requirement |
None. College-level coursework in corrections, law enforcement, law and justice, police science or social services is desired.
|
|
|
| Veterans Preference Points |
Yes
|
|
|
| Other |
|
|
|
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office - Corrections Deputy Disqualifiers
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
| Category |
Disqualifier |
| Driving |
| Potential |
Conviction for driving while intoxicated or related charges, reckless driving, hit and run, criminal negligent driving or driving while license suspended or revoked within the past 5 years. Any DUI conviction ever, will require the applicant, due to the admissibility requirement to Canada, to obtain a "Certificate of Rehabilitation" from the Canadian Government. A driving history indicating a repetitive disregard for traffic laws, irresponsibility in meeting traffic court obligations, the failure to maintain required insurance or the involvement in an inordinate number of motor vehicle accidents. The term conviction shall include any disposition adverse to the applicant, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or an acquittal. A dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of sentence is considered a disposition adverse to the applicant. |
|
| Drug Usage |
| Automatic |
No recent possession or use (within past year) of any illegal or non-prescribed drugs, to include marijuana or any products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of non-prescribed amphetamine stimulants (excluding methamphetamines) including Ritalin within the past 5 years. |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of methamphetamines such as speed, crank, crystal, or ice for the past 15 years. |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of hallucinogenic drugs (LSD, PCP, Ecstasy/MDMA, designer drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, etc.) in the past 10 years or more than 5 times during lifetime. |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of non-prescribed opiates (heroin, morphine, methadone, etc.) for the last 10 years or more than 5 times in a lifetime. |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of anabolic steroids with the past 5 years or more than 10 times in a lifetime. |
| Automatic |
No possession or use of cocaine including "crack" cocaine in the past 10 years or more than 5 times in a lifetime. |
| Automatic |
No non-prescribed/unlawful possession or use of any controlled substance subsequent to submitting an application for employment with any criminal justice or law enforcement agency within the past 15 years. |
| Automatic |
No non-prescribed possession or use of any controlled substance during the time of, or subsequent to, any employment with any criminal justice or law enforcement agency. |
| Automatic |
No actual possession involving being under the influence of controlled substances while working in any safety or security sensitive position. |
| Automatic |
No illegal manufacture or deriving income through the possession, sale or importation of controlled substances during lifetime. |
|
| Criminal Activity |
| Automatic |
Conviction for any felony offense or for any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense involving violence, theft, moral turpitude, sex crimes, altering documents, false statements, computer trespass, controlled substances or crimes evidencing disrespect for the rights of others. The term conviction shall include any disposition adverse to the applicant, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or an acquittal. A dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of sentence is considered a disposition adverse to the applicant. |
| Automatic |
Any involvement in an organization as a participant, officer or employee of any organization, association or group which advocates the overthrow of our government by unlawful means, advocates or approves committing acts of force or violence to deny others their legal rights or wants to change our form of government by unconstitutional means. |
|
| Employment |
| Potential |
Demonstrate poor performance with current or prior employers that relate to a failure to follow reasonable workplace rules or maintain good work habits or unexplained instability in employment. |
| Automatic |
If having served in the Armed Forces of the United States, receipt of no less than a fully honorable discharge. |
|
| Financial |
| Potential |
Gross failure to make arrangement for the payment of debt or incurring debt the applicant knows or should know that he or she will be unable to repay shall be grounds for removal of the applicant unless a satisfactory explanation is provided. |
|
| Other |
| Potential |
The commission of any act evidencing unfairness, untruthfulness, cheating, dishonesty or disrespect for the rights of others. The commission of acts evidencing recklessness or irresponsibility. |
| Potential |
The applicant's association of persons having notoriety for involvement in criminal activity, unless satisfactorily explained. |
|
