Summary
This is a closed promotional opportunity for the position of Captain with the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). This opportunity is open only to current KCSO Sergeants.
The KCSO Captain Provides Leadership, Administrative Support, Manages Sections And Units, And Supervises Both Commissioned And Non-commissioned Staff Within The Following Functional Assignments
- Contract Police Administrator (Chief of Police) for a contract agency
- Sheriff's Office unit or Section Commander, assuming administrative and/or operational responsibility for a major work unit providing internal support to the entire King County Sheriff's Office (e.g., with the Technical Services Division or Criminal Investigation Division)
- Precinct Section Commander, assuming administrative and/or operational responsibility for a precinct (e.g., within the Patrol Operations Division).
Who May Apply
KCSO Sergeants with 3.5 years by the close of the job announcement, April 7, 2025.
- Sergeants promoted by October 2021 meet the 3.5 years of experience requirement
- Waivers will not be accepted for the 2025 Captain Promotion
Contact
Direct questions and request for information to Brannon Mark, Civil Service Administrator.
Phone: 206-263-1885 | Email: bmark@kingcounty.gov
Job Duties
Duties and tasks associated with the rank of Captain include:
Supervision and Leadership
- Ensure assigned personnel have the resources needed to meet goals and objectives
- Mentor, coach and conduct formal and informal counseling with personnel
- Provide supervisory oversight and support, including technical assistance and direction
- Coach, mentor, guide, and motivate assigned personnel.
- Evaluate work performance of assigned personnel and complete necessary documentation to support personnel action
- Deliver sensitive or difficult information with clarity, empathy and respect
Relationship Management, Coordination and Liaison
- Establish and maintain effective channels of communication and working relationships within KCSO
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships surrounding agencies, public leaders, civic groups, community members and businesspeople
- Make formal presentations regarding KCSO activities, policies and programs internally and externally
Operation Duties
- Coordinate and plan KCSO response to emergency situations
- Identify problems, crime patterns and response to high-risk situation or community events
- Respond as field supervisor to major emergency situations
- Review internal investigations, internal and external complaints, Blue Team entries
- Manage, evaluate and oversee complex investigations, including evidence and written reports
Problem Solving
- Interpret and explain orders, policies, practices, procedures and other operational information to assigned personnel
- Evaluate the effectiveness of assigned programs, making adjustments as necessary to ensure attainment of goals
- Manage, direct, analyze, review, and make decisions based on the results of studies (e.g., crime trend analysis, traffic pattern analysis, program analysis)
Program Management
- Determine the direction and priorities of assigned programs and units, take responsibility for accomplishment of goals and needs for improvement
- Present reports to council and/or command staff as required
- Identify and recommend needed programs and establish program goals and performance objectives
Fiscal and Resource Management and Budgeting
- Allocate and commit personnel and financial/budgetary resources
- Plan for equipment needs staffing, overtime and supplies
- Analyze budget requests and perform continuous budgetary control of appropriations
- Develop and manage budget for assigned responsibility
Related Peace Officer Duties
- Perform the essential work functions of a peace officer
- Serve as the Command Duty Officer (CDO) with responsibility for managing KCSO response to and handling of law enforcement incidents
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Candidates must have a minimum of three and a half (3.5) years' experience as King County Sheriff's Office Sergeant. The rank of Captain requires the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Agency And Program Management Skills
- Ability to effectively disseminate information through the chain of command
- Ability to effectively manage a large and/or complex program, unit, section or contract agency
- Ability to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment and effectively contribute to the mission of the department and/or contract agency
- Skilled in understanding the organization-wide effect of small changes in policy and procedure that may be implemented at a unit or section level
- Skilled in establishing work standards and maintaining discipline, assuring institutional rules and regulations are enforced
Communication Skills
- Ability to effectively deliver information, both verbally and in writing, to subordinates, peers, managers, and other agencies
- Skilled in writing and composing clear, concise and comprehensive plans with clarity, organization, and attention to detail
- Ability to listen to others attentively and with comprehension
- Skilled in public speaking and adapting communication to meet audience's background, knowledge level and communication style
- Skilled in active listening, demonstrating empathy and responding appropriately to facilitate productive and meaningful conversation
Decision Making Skills
- Ability to act upon operational and strategic recommendations and exercise appropriate judgement during routine and emergency situations
- Ability to develop and propose recommendations to address a problem
- Ability to use common sense and reach logical conclusions
- Ability to demonstrate integrity and honesty and fairness in all professional interactions and decision-making processes
Problem Analysis
- Ability to analyze one's own decisions and develop alternative solutions and/or re-evaluate a given course of action, considering new information and analysis
- Ability to remain open to new ideas, approaches or techniques, and modify plans as needed
- Ability to think critically about problems, situations, investigations, and reports
- Skilled in establishing work priorities and schedule tasks, events, personnel, and resources for specific events, problems, and projects
- Skilled in implementing, evaluating, and modifying tactical plans during an emergency incident
Leadership and People Management Skills
- Ability to lead through example and function as a positive role model
- Skilled in supervising and evaluating staff, including formulating effective corrective measures and providing constructive feedback
- Skilled in working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to inspire and motivate personnel to perform at their best
- Ability to promote a culture of open communication and respect
- Ability to be flexible and manage change, persevere through adversity and take responsibility for one's own growth and development
Analytical Skills
- Ability to analyze and measure productivity
- Ability to predict, forecast and make recommendations based on data analysis
- Skilled in using Microsoft Office
Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships with external partners
- Skilled in utilizing resources and working collaboratively with other units to achieve common goals and objectives
- Ability to identify other people's the motivations and interests
- Ability to have difficult conversations
- Ability to resolve or mediate conflict between individuals and groups
Technical Knowledge
- Administrative knowledge of KCSO policies and procedures regarding operations, department missions and goals, department resources
- Knowledge of human resources principles and practices, union contracts and memoranda of understanding related to people management
- Knowledge of essential job functions of commissioned and non-commissioned personnel within assigned program, unit, section or contract agency
- Knowledge of principles and practices of managing a large, complex program or work unit
Union Membership
The position of KCSO Captain is represented by Puget Sound Police Manager's Association (PSPMA). Employees covered by PSPMA may qualify for longevity and educational pay incentives. Refer to the PSPMA Agreement for more information.
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not eligible for overtime pay.
Supplemental Information
Key Dates
Candidate Orientation
- Wednesday, April 9, 2025
- 1:00 - 2:00 PM via MS Teams (a link will be sent to candidates on April 8th)
- Attendance is optional.
- A recording of the orientation will be sent to all candidates.
2025 Captain Assessment Center Exams (ACE)
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Location and schedule details will be provided at the candidate orientation.
- If required, we will add a second ACE Day to take place on May 8, 2025.
Civil Service Rules
The 2025 Captain Promotion will be administered in accordance with applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and the King County Civil Service Rules, Civil Service Rules. Examination appeals must be submitted in accordance with Civil Service Rule - Sections 8.5, 8.6 and 8.7.
Questions should be directed to Brannon Mark, Civil Service Administrator, at bmark@kingcounty.gov.
The King County Sheriff's Office offers competitive wages and a generous benefits package that includes fully-paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents. We also provide fully paid premiums for basic life insurance, a generous vacation and sick leave program, and membership in Washington State's LEOFF retirement plan.
More information about employee benefits is available on the county's website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/employees/benefits/YourKingCountyBenefits.aspx
01
Are you currently a Sergeant with the King County Sheriff's Office?
02
To meet the required years of experience, candidates must have 3.5 years as a KCSO Sergeant. Please enter the month and year you were appointed to KCSO Sergeant.
