Frequently Asked Questions

for Patrol and Jail Deputy Applicants

Have additional questions?

Contact us.

 Before you Apply

  • The State’s Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) will review your previous training and determine if additional or abbreviated training must be completed to be certified in the State of Oregon. You should still apply if interested as this takes place later in the application process.

  • Yes. You may have active applications with both divisions and be on our "eligibility list" at the same time.

  • Yes. The Sheriff's Office tattoo/body-modification policy is as follows:

    Body Art and Tattoos.  Body Art or Tattoos, worn by employees while on duty shall not be offensive in nature.  Facial tattoos are prohibited. The Sheriff reserves the right to determine whether the tattoo or "body art" is appropriate for a CCSO employee to display while on duty. 

    Body Art and Tattoos are subject to the following standards:

    1. Visible tattoos shall not be of a style, size, color or location that diminishes professional appearance or brings discredit on the CCSO;

    2. Visible tattoos are not permitted on the neck, face, head or hands of CCSO employees.  Hands are considered the area below the wrist bone.  The neck, face and head area is considered to be the area above the clavicle; 

    3. Tattoos depicting racist, indecent, extremist, lawless or offensive themes are not permitted.  A tattoo violates common standards of decency and is considered “offensive” if it depicts, describes or otherwise refers to sexual context, acts, organs or preferences; if it depicts, describes or refers to intolerance of or discrimination against any race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity or it is commonly associated with any organization or group which advocates intolerance or discrimination;

    4. Visible dental art or gem stones, unnaturally colored or shaped teeth, and other ornamentation that is temporary or permanently affixed to the teeth for the purposes of decoration or adornment is not permitted while on duty; and

    5. Employees may wear contact lenses of a natural eye color.  Red, orange, silver and other unnaturally colored contact lenses or colors that create an unnatural eye color or graphic design are not permitted.

  • We currently provide law enforcement services to the following cities within Clackamas County: Happy Valley, Wilsonville, and Estacada. 

    Deputies who are assigned to work these contract cities may drive a city- specific car and wear a city-specific uniform while on duty.

About the Application/Screening Process

  • You may use Veteran’s points if you send in your DD 214 Member 4 or DD 215 and proof of disability, if applicable, prior to the close date of the job opening.

    Please see the "ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE" section of the job opening for further instructions on the use of Veteran's points.

    Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 408.230-408.235

About the Tests

  • For a overview of this test, click here.

  • No. You must apply for each job opening separately in order to be considered. The test that we administer is different and specific to each classification.

About Background Investigations

  • A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff’s Office -- and you must successfully pass it to move forward in the application process.

    Your background investigation will consist of an evaluation of all information related to the 14 Clackamas County Sheriff's Office job dimensions. These dimensions are: dependability, problem-solving ability, observation skills, integrity, learning ability, judgment under pressure, communication skills, appearance, interpersonal sensitivity, willingness to confront problems, desire for self-improvement, interest in people, operation of a motor vehicle, and credibility as a witness in court.

  • The Sheriff’s Office may contact anyone you have known, been associated with, or are suspected to have known during the background investigation.

  • No. The Sheriff’s Office is unable to provide status updates for applicants that are going through the background investigation process.

  • Your background investigation should take from 6 to 16 weeks. During this time the Sheriff’s Office will notify you if the background investigator needs any additional information and you should respond quickly.

  • No. The Sheriff’s Office is unable to provide specific information regarding the reason you have failed your background investigation. You will be asked to sign a waiver to ensure that individuals that provide information to the background investigators are guaranteed the right to confidentiality for the information they provide.

About the 'Eligibility Register'

  • You will remain on the eligibility register for a minimum of six months and typically not more than one year. Please see the job announcement for the position for which you are applying for exact timelines.

  • Updating your contact information is your responsibility. Please log back into the County's jobs website and update your contact information. If you are in the Department Interview phase or working with a background investigator, please also notify Lyndie Hamlin (503-785-5162) from the Sheriff’s Office, as well.

After You're Hired

  • You will receive extensive training prior to working independently.

    A portion of this training will require that you attend the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) academy and pass it successfully.

    Once you return to the Sheriff’s Office, you will work with Field Training Officers (FTOs) during the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) until you have successfully completed all phases of training. During this time, you will be serving on an 18-month new-employee probationary period.

  • Once you have passed all required testing and have been hired on by the Sheriff’s Office, you will be registered for an opening at the DPSST academy as soon as possible. You may begin with some pre-academy training with Sheriff’s Office personnel and then go to the academy -- completing your Sheriff's Office training when you return.

  • Yes. Our Corrections Deputies and Patrol Deputies are members of the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association (CCPOA).

  • Shifts may be rotated every six months. Schedules are requested by shift bidding based on seniority.

  • You must successfully complete your probationary period and typically have a couple of years of service prior to being eligible for consideration for a special unit. When openings occur, employees are notified and the minimum qualifications are posted.