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Tumwater Civil Service Commission approves eligibility lists; departments report hiring progress
Summary
The commission approved multiple active eligibility lists for fire and police and heard staffing updates: a firefighter hire will start April 16 and the fire department reached 62 authorized FTEs; police reported academy starts and one vacancy.
The Tumwater Civil Service Commission on Thursday approved current eligibility lists used to fill fire and police positions and heard staffing updates from department leaders.
The approvals matter because the lists establish the pool of candidates from which the city hires public-safety personnel. Commission Chair Blake Char called up the status report for April before commissioners voted to approve the lists.
The commission approved a consolidated motion to accept the current active eligibility lists across departments. Blake Char, chair of the Tumwater Civil Service Commission, opened that portion of the meeting, saying, “With that, start out with the status of April eligibility list.” Pat Schneider, commissioner, moved to approve the list and the commission voted to adopt the report.
Michelle Soderlund, secretary examiner, reported which lists were active in April. For the Tumwater Fire Department she listed battalion chief (promotional), fire lieutenant (promotional), firefighter paramedic (continuous), firefighter entry-level, lateral paramedic firefighter, paramedic lieutenant, fire training lieutenant, lateral firefighter, department assistant 2, and lateral fire prevention officer as active lists. For the Tumwater Police Department she said the active lists were police officer entry level and lateral police officer.
On the police officer entry-level list for April 2025, Soderlund said four candidates were added and five were removed; of those removed, two were hired and three expired from the list. Chair Char moved to approve the police department’s list; Pat Schneider seconded the motion and the commission approved it.
The commission also approved the entry-level firefighter eligibility list generated in March 2025. Soderlund told commissioners one candidate asked to be removed from that list and did not provide a reason; the other candidates were added. Commissioner Schneider moved to approve the entry-level firefighter list and Char seconded; the motion passed.
Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley reported hiring progress: “We did make an offer, and it was accepted from the entry level firefighter list. That candidate will be starting on April 16 and officially going to Fire Academy on May 1.” Hurley added that the department has 62 authorized full-time equivalent positions and is at a full 62 FTE count following that hire.
Jay Mason with the Tumwater Police Department described recent police staffing: “We have 2 officers that have just started the police academy as of this week, and we have 1 waiting to go to the academy. ... We have 1 lateral officer that is just starting field training. And we have another officer, that will be starting next week who is a technically a new hire, but has completed the academy, in his time with the Liquor and Cannabis Board.” Mason said one officer lateraled to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, leaving one open position; with approval of the list, staff will begin interviewing the top seven candidates to advance backgrounds.
The commission confirmed it will meet next on May 8 and adjourned with no further business.
Votes at a glance - Approval of consolidated active eligibility lists across departments: motion moved by Pat Schneider; approved. - Approval of police officer entry-level list (April 2025): motion moved by Blake Char; seconded by Pat Schneider; approved. - Approval of entry-level firefighter eligibility list (March 2025): motion moved by Pat Schneider; seconded by Blake Char; approved.
