Zillah is a city in Yakima County, Washington, located on Interstate 82 about 15 miles southeast of Yakima. Zillah is a bedroom community located in the heart of the Yakima Valley Wine Country. The surrounding areas provide ample outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and hiking. Zillah’s close proximity to Yakima and the Tri-Cities provides its residents with the comforts of a small community and the benefits of access to larger commerce. Zillah Community Days is an annual event held during the 2nd full weekend in May. We host a 4th of July celebration, complete with a fireworks show, as well as a Bluegrass Festival in August. Zillah is a very close-knit community that takes pride in school sports and other extracurricular activities.

The Zillah Police Department currently employs a staff of nine. Staffing includes the Chief of Police, 2 Sergeants, 5 Officers, and one support staff. One officer is designated as the School Resource Officer. Officers currently work 11-hour shifts 4 on 4 off with one 6 hour training/admin day per month. Shift changes occurring every 3 months. We also have a Reserve Officer program.

General Purpose: Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Patrol Segreant

Supervision Exercised: Generally, no supervision will be exercised. During limited periods of absence of the command officers, senior patrol officers may be called upon to make decisions of officer deployment and/or methods of tactical deployment for other officers working on the same shift.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Works on rotating shifts performing security patrol, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct. Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance. Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances; Patrols City streets, parks; commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, controls vehicular traffic, prevents or detects and investigates misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations’ and to otherwise serve and protect. Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc... Takes appropriate law enforcement action. Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene. Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings. Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s Daily Log, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, breathalyzer check list, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc. Undertakes community-oriented police work, crime prevention, traffic safety, etc. Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the city limits, obtaining evidence and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities. Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities. Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney, Court Administrator, and Municipal Prosecutor’s Office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned. Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.

Peripheral Duties: Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities. Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities. Serves as a member of various employee committees. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisory personnel.

Desired Minimum Qualifications:

1) General:

A) Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.

B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a Washington State driver’s license.

C) No felony convictions, disqualifying misdemeanor criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed.

D) US Citizen.

E) Must be able to read and write the English language.

F) Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.

2) Education and Experience:

A) High school diploma or equivalent.

3) Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A) Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

B) Some skills in operating the tools and equipment listed below.

C) Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations; Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; Ability to meet the special requirements listed below; Ability to learn the City’s geography.

D) Ability to successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice training commission Police Academy or equivalent.

Special Requirements:

A) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a Washington State Driver’s License with no record or revocation or suspension within seven (7) years.

B) Ability to meet Department’s physical standards.

Selection Guidelines: Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate Civil Service Commission testing including written and physical agility test; oral interview; background check; polygraph examination; psychological examination; final selection.

Lateral Entry:

A) Must meet general entry level requirements.

B) Must be able to pass a medical examination.

C) Must have completed the Washington State Basic Police Academy or be eligible for the equivalency Academy.

Selection Guidelines: Formal application; review of education and experience; oral interview; background check; polygraph examination; psychological examination; final selection.

Tool and Equipment Used: Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, pager, telephone, cellular telephone, first aid equipment.

 Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme hot, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee, occasionally, is required to travel more than 50 miles from the workplace to attend training session, conferences, determined to be necessary for the employer. The employee occasionally is required to be absent from their home for periods up to four months. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Zillah Police Department - Police Officer has 1 vacancy.

The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is August 31, 2025.

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

Number of expected vacancies: 1

As of January 2025, monthly salary ranges from $4935.08 - $6199.16, with Master Police Officers receiving a 5% increase on base salary, current MPO pay $6509.67. the 2024-2026 union contract includes a 3-6% increase in 2026, dependent on inflation, with a minimum increase of 3% each year and a maximum increase of 6% each year.

Zillah Police Department Officers and Sergeants are a union represented bargaining unit (Teamsters Local 760.) Officers are provided full medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage for the full family, currently the city pays 100% of premium costs. The City contributes to the Washington State LEOFF 2 retirement system, as well as the WCTPT Teamsters Pension fund.

As of January 1, 2024, the city pays full $175 monthly premiums to the Teamsters RWT-Plus XL plan on behalf of each member of the bargaining unit which will provide for an 80/20 medical insurance plan for eligible retirement aged officers at a cost of $150 per month upon separation from service. This plan also provides the same 80/20 plan benefits for the retired officer's dependents for an additional $150 monthly premium after separation from service. (A minimum of 30 months of premium payments must be made by the employer prior to a retirement eligible employee being able to participate in the retirement medical program.) This essentially provides for full family coverage for $300 a month. Upon reaching Medicare eligibility status, the RWT-Plus XL plan becomes a Medicare supplemental plan for a monthly cost of $50.

Employees are eligible for a Deferred Compensation Program. Vacation is accrued on a step system, with the first step being 9.33 hours per month, maxing out at 15.33 hours per month. However, once an employee banks a maximum sick leave bank of 480 hours, a 2-hour monthly vacation time bonus is granted to the employee for a potential monthly vacation earning rate of 17.33 hours.

Sick time is accrued at a rate of 8 hours per month, with a maximum bank of 480 hours. Sick time hours not used will be cashed out upon retirement at a rate of 50%. (eg. 480 hours in bank, cash out 240 hours.) Short-term and long-term disability benefits are provided.

Employees are eligible for longevity pay after five years of continuous service, based on the following schedule: (Rates based on the employee's base hourly rate X 2080 hours.)

Years of Service/ Longevity Pay Rate

5 years / 1%

9 years / 1.5%

12 years / 2.5%

15 years / 3%

20 years / 4%

25 years / 5%

Officers also receive 11 paid holidays per year, front loaded annually on January 1st as an 88-hour bank. Additionally, if officers work on a legal holiday, they are paid at time and a half rate, There is also an 80-hour comp time bank availability with cash out ability 2 times per year. Finally, a take-home vehicle program for officers living within 30 driving miles of city limits.