Civil Service Commission

Benton County Civil Service provides support for the recruitment, testing, hiring, eligibility, and promotional testing of all Sheriff’s Office Employees under RCW 41.14.  The Civil Service Commission is made up of volunteers that sit as a judicial board to conduct hearing and investigations in accordance with Chapter 41.14 RCW; to hear and determine appeals or complaints from employees or candidates in such matters as may be referred to the Commission.

• Patty Wilson, Chair
• Delaney Tucker, Vice Chair
• Evan Carlisle, Commissioner
• Devon Henry, Civil Service Chief Examiner

Regular Civil Service Commissioner Board Meetings are held in Room 303 of the Benton County Administration Building on the second Tuesday of every month, at 2:00 p.m.

Applicant Information

This page contains links. Click on any of them and you will be directed to pages containing additional information, contact information, required forms, or websites. Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All Civil Service positions with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) require applicants to complete and submit a Personal History Statement (PHS),  meet the Benton County Sheriff's Office Recruitment Standards, be at least 21 years of age, and have the legal right to work in the United States.  Prior to employment, a polygraph test, fingerprints, integrity background interview, and a thorough criminal history check will be completed on each candidate. In addition to the above, Sheriff’s Deputy candidates are required to successfully complete psychological and medical testing.

Personal History Statement (PHS)

Entry Level Deputy Sheriff:

Benton County contracts with Public Safety Testing to facilitate the application and initial testing process for all entry level deputy sheriff positions.  Click on the following website link to be directed to the Public Safety Testing website www.publicsafetytesting.com or call them at 1-866-447-3911 to apply.

Lateral Deputy Sheriff:

To apply for a lateral deputy sheriff position, you must meet the requirements listed below. 

Washington State Candidates:

• Must have successfully passed the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
• Must have successfully completed a probationary period with the current or previous law enforcement employer. If not currently employed, the applicant must not have separated for performance or
• disciplinary reasons to be eligible to apply.
• Must have been continuously employed by the applicant’s present or previous employer as a full-time civilian law enforcement officer for not less than 12 months, and have not less than 12 months total full time law enforcement experience by the date of hire. Applicant must have been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer within the last 24 months.
• Must meet all Benton County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Standards and Civil Service Eligibility Requirements.

Out of State Candidates:

• Must meet all above criteria and successfully complete the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy once hired. 

To apply for this position please submit a complete Personal History Statement (PHS) via email at:

hr@co.benton.wa.us
or dropped off at:
7122 W Okanogan Pl. Bldg Suite E310
Kennewick, WA 99336

Entry Level Records Clerk:

Benton County Civil Service provides support for the testing and hiring process for BCSO entry level records clerk as vacancies occur.  Applications are only accepted when a position is open and the job is posted on the Benton County website. You must attach or submit the Personal History Statement (PHS) for your application to be considered.  Please click on the link at the top of the page to download the Personal History Statement (PHS).

Veterans Scoring Criteria:

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may qualify for receiving additional bonus points during the civil service testing process.  Washington State Laws RCW 41.04.005, RCW 41.04.007 and RCW 41.04.010 provides for Veteran’s Scoring Criteria status in the examination of applicants for employment with political subdivisions of the State, provided certain requirements are met.  Benton County awards Veterans’ Scoring Criteria, in accordance with state law, to veterans honorably released from active military service who meet all statutory requirements.  Applicants who are claiming Veterans’ Scoring Criteria must supply their DD Form 214 copy when requested.