Recruiting Page


St. Helens, Oregon Recruiting Event

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Team is a group of Sheriff’s Office personnel specifically assigned to assist the Sheriff’s Office in the recruitment of potential candidates for employment at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

The Recruitment Team establishes a connection with applicants and provides the applicant with resources to successfully become a member of the Sheriff’s Office.

To learn more about the Sheriff’s Office Recruitment Team, please contact us below by using the questionnaire form.

Below is some general information regarding the hiring process at the Sheriff’s Office. For more information, contact a Sheriff’s Office Recruiter regarding the hiring process.

Phase 1: Apply with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office

County Job Openings Page

Phase 2: Schedule and take a standardized test through the National Testing Network

Phase 3: Complete the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) with a qualifying time Phase 4: Oral Board & Writing Test

Phase 5: Background Investigation

Phase 6: Sheriff’s Interview

Phase 7: Medical & Psychological Exam

FAQ:

Q: What are the minimum requirements to become a Deputy Sheriff?

A:  -21 years of age at the time of appointment or older

     -Possess a high school diploma or GED



Q: Where do I find the NTN Testing?

A: NTN Testing Link


Q: What is the ORPAT?

A: Courtesy of DPSST: The Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) is a hybrid physical ability/job sample physical abilities assessment process designed to evaluate police officer candidates on essential physical capacities required to satisfactorily perform job duties.  

Tasks replicated throughout the ORPAT process include walking, climbing, carrying, running, vaulting, pulling, jumping, lifting, and pushing.  These are the tasks deemed essential to be performed by a law enforcement officer through a job task analysis.

To successfully complete the ORPAT and advance in the hiring process, Enforcement Deputy Applicants will need to complete the course with a minimum time of five minutes and thirty seconds (5:30). Corrections Deputy Applicants will need to complete the course with a minimum time of 7 minutes and thirty seconds (7:30).

For more information regarding the ORPAT, please visit: DPSST ORPAT

Q: What does the background investigation consist of?

A: Upon completion of the Sheriff’s Office Personal History Statement, A Sheriff’s Office Background investigator will take your personal history statement submission and conduct an extensive pre-employment background check.  The Background Investigator may contact current and prior employers, relatives, and personal references. The investigator will check your employment history, credit status, driving record, criminal history, police contacts and other information necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. During this process, providing honest and factual information is pertinent in successfully passing this phase of the hiring process. This process may include the investigator visiting your place of residence.

Q: What is the Sheriff’s Interview?

The Sheriff’s Interview is a one on one interview with Sheriff Pixley in which you will be evaluated in several areas to include:

-Decision Making & Judgement

-Integrity

-Character Traits

Q: What is the Medical Examination and Psychological Evaluation?

A: The medical examination is a comprehensive physical examination. For more information on medical requirements, you can review the document below from the Department of Public Safety and Standards & Training.

The Psychological Evaluation is an interview and testing with a psychologist. The Psychologist may use information provided on your application and from your background investigation.