This position is open until filled, with first review of applications April 17.
Click here to view the brochure for this position.
The City of Sequim is seeking a dependable, decisive leader with clear command presence, balanced by interpersonal skills that build trust and communicate effectively both internally and externally. This Deputy Chief position is a rare opportunity to join a stable, high-performing department invested in long-term success, emerging technology, professional development, and service excellence – backed by a supportive community and a strong quality of life on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
The Deputy Chief serves as the Chief’s key operational partner and second-in-command, acting in the Chief’s absence. This role helps lead daily operations, personnel oversight, training, budgeting, projects, and continuous improvement while maintaining strong internal and community relationships. The Deputy Chief assists the Chief of Police in planning and evaluating the objectives and the effectiveness of the City’s public safety program, with the demands of local, state and federal laws, accreditation requirements and judicial rulings. In addition to management responsibilities, the employee may perform all functions of a Police Officer or Police Sergeant. The Deputy Chief is responsible for establishing effective relationships with the community, subordinates, elected officials, other criminal justice agencies and all City employees. Civil Service rules of the City apply to the rank of Deputy Chief.
Please note: a resume (three pages maximum) and cover letter are required to be considered for the Deputy Chief position. The cover letter must describe your experience, leadership style, and why you are interested in the position. Please upload your documents where indicated on this application.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but it is not an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Employees in this category are required to perform all duties and tasks required in the rank of Police Officer and/or Police Sergeant. The Deputy Chief will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Chief of Police.
- Second in command to the Chief of Police; Acting Chief of Police during the Chief’s absence.
- Develops and implements strategies and procedures to accomplish the goals of the Department as directed by the Chief of Police; manages projects.
- Advises Chief of Police on personnel issues, including recommendations to hire, fire, transfer, and discipline employees.
- Oversees the creation and management of Department work schedules; assures that personnel are assigned to shifts which provide optimum effectiveness for current operational situations and circumstances.
- Supervises the performance of shifts and conducting of performance evaluations, typically through subordinate Sergeants; advises subordinates in effective law enforcement practices in the solution of specific problems.
- Implements Department policies and procedures; informs subordinates of changes in Departmental regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws and new techniques of law enforcement.
- Assists the Chief with compiling and submitting budget recommendations, tracks expenditures.
- Supervises the preparation and management of grant initiatives by staff.
- Writes reports on programs and administrative issues.
- Monitors Department training activities and approves officers to attend training courses, seminars, and programs.
- Represents the Department at civic functions and meetings; discusses issues and responds to informational inquiries.
- Coordinates with other law enforcement agencies in planning and executing joint operations and special events; responds to inquiries regarding Departmental activities and procedures; provides assistance or refers to proper agency.
- Receives and responds to public complaints pertaining to assigned activities; determines the best means of resolution, assigns investigative responsibilities as necessary and, as authorized, implements corrective action.
- Perform duties of a Police Officer or Police Sergeant as required.
- Maintains regular attendance.
- Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and management, including program planning, budgeting, direction, coordination and evaluation, and personnel and labor relations;
- Advanced knowledge of laws and accepted practices that apply to all aspects of police work, including crime prevention, investigation techniques, criminal identification, firearms, communications, automotive equipment, apprehension, detention, rules of evidence, traffic control and safety, and record keeping;
- Advanced knowledge of standards by which the quality of police service is evaluated, the use of automated and manual police records systems and their application to police administration.
- Excellent skill in resolving conflicts and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups;
- Skill to prepare and update short- and long-range strategic plans to ensure the Department’s contribution to the City’s overall goals;
- Skill to exercise sound and ethical judgment in decision making, including ability to make calm, quick decisions to ensure the well-being of the public, the Police Department, and subordinate personnel;
- Skill to design personnel schedules to meet Department needs;
- Skill to negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers;
- Ability to establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, personal discipline, quality and teamwork;
- Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with regional law enforcement and security agencies to ensure coordinated, concerted police services to communities served by those agencies;
- Ability to evaluate and recommend policies regarding the legal rights of the accused;
- Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to subordinate staff, securing their respective commitments to the Department’s goals;
- Ability and willingness to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology as directed and strictly within Department guidelines, to increase efficiency and enhance productivity while upholding high ethical and professional standards;
- Excellent ability to deliver effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups;
- Excellent ability to analyze situations quickly and accurately to adopt an effective course of action;
- Ability to handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility;
- Ability to negotiate and administer labor agreements and communicate effectively with organized personnel;
- Ability to meet schedules and timelines, and work independently with little direction.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or related field plus at least eight years of work experience as a commissioned police officer, with three or more as a first-line supervisor is required. Must have active-duty law enforcement experience within last two years. Completion of Washington State Basic Training Academy or the Washington State Equivalency process is required at time of appointment. Demonstrated leadership skills and familiarity with contemporary municipal policing strategies and budgeting, along with proficiency in the use of weapons and self-defense tools is required. An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Maintaining a valid Washington State driver’s license throughout employment, along with proof of insurability is required. Successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Police Officer, First Line Supervisor, and Middle Manager Certifications is a requirement within 12 months of appointment.
Licensing & Certification: Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) with clean driving record free from serious or frequent violations is required. Applicant must meet the requirements of RCW 43.101.095, Peace Officer Certification. Completion of a comprehensive background investigation that includes a Polygraph, Psychological Evaluation, Medical Evaluation, and Drug Testing is required prior to receiving a final offer.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Deputy Chief working conditions include those of the Police Officer and Police Sergeant Job Descriptions and require the physical ability to perform the full range of duties of those positions. In addition, a Deputy Chief is subject to working under high-pressure, dangerous and stressful conditions, working with highly emotional and/or sensitive persons or personnel matters, be able to work within the political structure of a municipal corporation, conduct work that is highly visible and scrutinized by the public, and be able to assume command of personnel in high-risk tactical situations. Work hours may require flexing to accommodate the needs and demands of the Department and/or City.
The Deputy Chief may be contacted by subordinate personnel, the Police Chief, City Manager and/or Elected Officials during off-duty hours for guidance and/or counseling. The incumbent may be required to deal with irate, disgruntled and sometimes hostile individuals requiring the use of conflict management and coping skills. The Deputy Chief may encounter hazards arising from contact with violent individuals. Continuous attention to safe working and operating procedures for self and staff is required.
