Tumwater Civil Service Commission approves exam plans and eligibility-list extensions, hears staffing shortfalls

The Tumwater Civil Service Commission on Monday approved a series of exam plans and eligibility-list updates for police and fire positions and heard from department leaders about ongoing staffing shortages and recruitment steps.

Michelle Sutherland, the commission secretary, presented the eligibility-list update for February 2026, saying, "We currently have 11 candidates on the entry level list for police officer" and that six candidates were added while five were removed (one withdrew, one is in background, and three failed the chief's interview). Commissioners clarified counts and confirmed corrections to the list before voting to approve it.

The approvals included the police sergeant exam plan (dates updated, internal posting beginning Feb. 13 and assessment center scheduled for March 10, 2026) and a battalion chief testing plan for the fire department. Deputy Chief Crimmins described the battalion chief promotional process as a three-step sequence, noting that applicants "have to have 2 years, as a lieutenant to be able to test," that the written exam will be administered April 1 (test developed by Public Safety Testing), and that the assessment center is scheduled for April 22 with a final eligibility list to be returned to the commission May 14.

The commission also approved a request to extend current eligibility lists for fire lieutenant and paramedic lieutenant candidates, a measure Michelle Sutherland said would "allow us to retain access to the well qualified candidates while avoiding the time commitment and financial cost associated with conducting a new testing process." Commissioners supported the extension to maintain continuity given Tumwater's alternating promotional schedule.

A late agenda addition, an exam plan for the soon-to-be-vacant police administrative manager position, was described by Sutherland and approved by the commission. The plan ranks candidates first by a matrix (20% of the final score) and then by an oral board (80%); a 70% minimum is required to pass to the oral board, and the top seven candidates advance to the chief's interview. When Commissioner Schneider asked what happens to candidates ranked eighth through 10th, Sutherland said those candidates "would need to reapply" for future openings.

Acting Police Chief Carlos Keyes told the commission the department currently has "7 vacancies," with roughly 25% of the department out (including two officers on light duty). Keyes noted two recent promotions—Sergeant Peter Navarro (late January) and Sergeant Rachel Johnson (Feb. 1)—and said an administrative manager is retiring April 30. He described steps to speed hiring, including increasing the frequency of oral boards and using social media and recruitment materials to move candidates more quickly through the process.

Fire Chief Bridal Hurley said the fire department is "basically full staffing," described one recruit entering the South Sound Recruit Academy through June, and outlined preliminary work on a potential Station T2 remodel that would include a temporary mobile housing structure during construction.

All motions to approve the various exam plans and list extensions passed by voice vote. The commission set its next meeting for March 12 and adjourned.

Actions at a glance: the commission approved the prior meeting minutes; approved the police officer entry-level eligibility list; approved the police sergeant exam plan; approved the battalion chief testing plan; approved an extension of fire lieutenant and paramedic lieutenant eligibility lists; and approved the police administrative manager exam plan.