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Police Officer | Firefighter | Dispatcher
Policing the Port brochure (4 MB, PDF)
Application and Testing: The Port of Seattle is currently contracted with PublicSafetyTesting.com (PST) to conduct our written and physical ability examinations for entry level police officers. You are able to complete your application online and select a testing date, time and location convenient for you. For further information, you may contact Public Safety Testing (PST) toll-free at (866) HIRE-911.
Public Safety Testing (PST) will validate your test results and send the score to the Port of Seattle directly. Your written test (PST) score will be weighted at 50 percent.
Oral Board: Once we receive the results from Public Safety Testing (PST), we will contact you to schedule an oral board. The oral board results will be weighted at 50 percent of your final score.
Civil Service Eligibility List: Based on the combined scores of the written test (PST) and the oral board, as well as veteran's preference points, qualified candidates will be merged onto the existing entry-level list. The list determines the order in which background investigations are conducted.
Application and Testing: Lateral applicants do not test through Public Safety Testing (PST) and are not required to complete the physical agility test. The lateral process consists of a written questionnaire with a minimum passing score of 70 percent, weighted at 100 percent.
To participate in the lateral process:
• Complete an Online HR Application.
• Complete the Automatic Disqualification Questionnaire. (27 KB, PDF)
• Submit a signed Veteran's Scoring Certification (34 KB, PDF)
• Submit a copy of your DD214, if veteran's preference is being claimed.
• Complete the Written Test Questionnaire. (45 KB, PDF)
Return completed forms to:
Port of Seattle Human Resources
Attn: Cathy Cameron
P.O. Box 68727
Seattle , WA 98168
About the Port of Seattle Police Department
The Port of Seattle Police Department is a full-service department consisting of two divisions: Patrol and Administrative Services. Assignments available include Uniformed Patrol, Bicycle Patrol, Boat Patrol, Bomb Disposal, Criminal Investigations, Evidence Technician / Property Room Custodian, Dive Team, Patrol Training Officer (PTO), Hostage Negotiation, Explosive Detection K-9 and Narcotics K-9, Narcotics Task Force, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Task Force, and SWAT.
The Port Police provide the primary law enforcement response within the geographical boundaries of the Port of Seattle, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a portion of the surrounding residential and commercial properties. Port Police also patrol major portions of the Seattle waterfront and Elliott Bay.
Having a jurisdiction that is primarily a port of entry provides daily opportunities to develop close working relationships with the Office of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs, U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration.
Patrol officers work a three-day,12.5-hour or four day/10-hour schedule and bid for yearly schedules. To keep officers' skills sharp, 40 hours of annual in-service training is provided in addition to many local, regional and national training opportunities. The Port provides uniforms (including cleaning service), footwear and most patrol-related equipment. Washington Teamsters-Local 117 represents the officers.
Entry Level: Candidates must be 21 years old at the time of application and successfully complete the state law enforcement training program (Basic Academy). See www.PublicSafetyTesting.com for further testing information.
Lateral Level: Lateral standards must be met by the time of application. All applicants must successfully complete a written exam. Applicants who successfully pass the written examination will be placed on an eligibility list for a period of one year. Lateral standards must be met by the time of application. Applicants from within Washington State must have a minimum of 24 consecutive months as a full-time, paid commissioned officer assigned to patrol or investigative duties. Special agents from the Washington State Gambling Commission and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife are eligible to apply as a lateral. Federal law enforcement officers/agents, correction officers, and military police officers do not qualify for lateral positions.
Applicants who currently hold a Law Enforcement Certification, and who have less than 24 consecutive months experience as a full-time, paid commissioned officer may qualify for exceptional consideration upon review and authorization from the Chief of Police.
Out-of-State Lateral Applicants must meet the above qualifications and must have successfully completed a state-certified police academy granting them a full authority certification, and must hold a current and active full authority law enforcement certification. A current and active certification refers to a Peace Officer Certification that is currently in good standing with the state of issuance, and that the holder of the certificate meets all maintenance requirements. A full authority certification refers to a fully commissioned state peace officer, with full powers of arrest and unrestricted enforcement powers of criminal and traffic statues within the state of issuance while acting in an individual capacity. The holder of a full authority certificate must have completed a state authorized and sanctioned law enforcement training academy for its full duration. All out-of-state lateral applicants must also meet the requirements outlined in Washington Administrative Code 139-05-210 “Basic Law Enforcement Certificate of Equivalency” and be qualified to attend the Washington State Equivalency Academy. The Police Department retains the option of sending out-of-state laterals to the full WSCJTC Academy in lieu of the Equivalency Academy. The successful out-of-state candidate must successfully complete the Washington State Equivalency course, or must successfully complete the WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
Entry and lateral candidates must successfully pass an extensive background check, and medical, psychological and polygraph tests. Successful applicants must also complete a patrol training officer (PTO) process.
Apply at PublicSafetyTesting.com.
Port of Seattle Fire Department brochure (918 KB, PDF)
The Port of Seattle Fire Department is a specialized department with primary responsibility for aircraft rescue and firefighting. As a full-service fire department, they provide structural fire response, emergency medical service, hazardous materials response, fire code inspections, sprinkler, fire alarms and building plan review, fire cause investigation, fire prevention and safety education programs.
They provide primary aircraft, structural, EMS, Haz-Mat, and rescue services within the geographical boundaries of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, as well as a portion of the surrounding residential and commercial properties based on property boundaries and mutual aid agreements.
Port of Seattle firefighters work a 47-hour workweek on a modified Detroit schedule. Training is rigorous and continuous and includes a minimum of two "live fire" training days annually to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements. The Port provides uniforms (including cleaning service), personal protective equipment and shoes.
International Association of Firefighters-Local 1257 represents the firefighters.
An applicant must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, have earned a high school diploma, and have a Washington State driver's license. Port of Seattle firefighters must obtain EMT certification with one year of hire and maintain that certification throughout their careers. Successful candidates will be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check with the FBI and must pass a Transportation Security Administration background check as well as submit to and pass a pre-employment drug screening. New hires may be subject to random drug screening during their probationary period.
The Port of Seattle is currently contracted with PublicSafetyTesting.com (PST) to conduct our written and physical ability examinations for entry level firefighters. You are able to complete your application on-line and select a testing date, time and location convenient for you. For further information, you may contact Public Safety Testing (PST) toll-free at (866) HIRE-911.
Public Safety Testing (PST) will validate the results and send the score to the Port of Seattle directly once per calendar year (in December following PST's final testing process) with interviews taking place potentially each January (or as needed throughout the year). This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and testing prior to or following the scheduled oral board, and a background investigation.
Want more information? Contact the Port of Seattle Fire Department at (206) 433-5327.
The Port of Seattle is accepting lateral applications for police and fire communications specialists.
Complete an Online HR Application.
Your application and resume must provide clear and detailed information on your relevant education, training and work experience and history. A resume is required for this application process. An incomplete or partially completed application may be rejected.
CritiCall Testing: Your application will be screened to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications. If selected from the initial screening process, we will contact you to schedule CritiCall testing (job-specific computerized testing).
Oral Board: After being invited to and passing job-specific computerized testing, you will be invited to a panel oral interview.
Civil Service Eligibility List: Based on the combined scores of the CritiCall test and the oral board (CritiCall is weighted at 25 percent and the oral board is weighted at 75 percent for the final score), as well as veteran's preference points, qualified candidates will be merged onto the existing entry-level or lateral eligibility list. The list determines the order in which background investigations are conducted.
All Port of Seattle Civil Service positions have a graded examination process that applicants must successfully complete with a passing score. Successful applicants will be placed on the ranked eligibility list in order, based on their individual score.
Candidates must successfully pass an extensive background check, medical, and polygraph examination.
Want more information? Contact the Port of Seattle Dispatch Center at (206) 431-4457.