Entry Level Dea Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $43.12 - $51.42 Hourly
Location : 333 Division Street NE Salem, OR
Job Type: Fulltime-Career
Job Number: 26-0411-08
Department: Police Department
Org: Police Patrol Field Operations
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
The City of Salem's Police Department is hiring for a Police Officer - Out-of-State Lateral. If you are currently or have been a Police Officer Outside of the State of Oregon in the past 12 months; and were employed for more than 3 years, we encourage you to apply.
Salary Step
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Longevity Rate
Hourly Rate
$39.11$41.07 $43.12 $45.28 $47.54 $49.92$51.42
Monthly Rate
$6,779.07$7,118.80 $7,474.13$7,848.53$8,240.27$8,652.80$8,912.80
Certifications, Training, & College Incentives
2% - 10%
Extra Duty/Specialized Assignment Incentive
2.5% - 5%
Bi-Lingual Incentive
5%
Full List of Incentives
Entry Level (0-2 years' experience)
Less than 1 year experience.1 - 1.99 years2 - 2.99 years------10+ years in a row with City of Salem Police Department
Lateral Experience (minimum of 3 years' experience)
---- --3 - 3.99 years4 - 4.99 years5+ years10+ years in a row with City of Salem Police Department
The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. As part of total compensation package, the City may consider providing qualified candidates with up to 80 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick leave time from date of hire. Starting salary step will be based on years of qualified experience using and utilizing the equity pay act.
Make an impact:
As a law enforcement leader in the Pacific Northwest, the Salem Police Department is searching for outstanding candidates for the position of Oregon Out-of-State Lateral Police Officer. Our agency has a full complement of special teams and units to include: SWAT, Bomb Squad, Mobile Response Team, Crisis Negotiations Team, Strategic Investigations Unit, DEA Task Force, Detectives, Motorcycle Unit, Mountain Bike Unit, Crash Reconstructionist, Computer Forensics, Behavioral Health Unit, Training Division, Peer Support Team, Civil Investigations Team, and Patrol.
The Salem Police Department (SPD) is the recognized leader in our region for technology and training to better serve our community and neighboring agencies. We have a fleet of state-of-the-art patrol cars with the latest computer technology, cameras, automated license plate reader systems, and weapons platforms. As a Salem Police Officer, you will be issued your needed equipment to include uniforms, weapons (handgun and rifle), boots, duty gear, iPhone, and more.
Only complete applications will be considered. Interviews will be offered to those who have met the minimum qualifications below.
What you will do:
As a City of Salem Police Officer you will be patrolling assigned areas to enforce laws and ordinances. You will also answer and investigate citizen complaints, reports, examine crime/accident scenes and/or preserve evidence as needed. Some other assignments will include meeting with the public, community meetings and/or presenting the public with information to keep their household, property, or themselves, safe.
What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Free, secure parking.
• Department gym available for employee use.
• The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package which can be found by

What are the minimum qualifications?

• High School graduate or have completed a G.E.D. and must already possess a minimum of a Basic Police Certification by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or out-of-state equivalent.
• Is currently, or has been within the past 12 months, employed as an Police Officer with a minimum of three years of full-time employment as a police officer (jail and most federal law enforcement experience will not be counted toward the three-year minimum).
• Currently employed and certified applicants do not need to take the NTN Frontline National Test or the ORPAT.
• Possess and maintain a valid Oregon class C driver's license or other state equivalent and have a driving record that meets the City of Salem's standards.
• Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.
• Be at least 21 years old at date of hire.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or have the ability to become one within 18 months of hire.
• Participate in competitive testing including physical fitness testing, reading comprehension, writing skills, written, physical/vision, hearing and psychological examinations, and be able to pass strict Police Department background investigation.
• Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).
• Must pass the pre-employment background check.

Additional Information:

• Submit resume with application.
• Oregon's minimum standards to work as a law enforcement officer and background disqualifiers can be found in OAR 259-008-0010-0070.

About Us:
The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to include many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000 square foot building with many amenities for employees to include an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.
A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Community Planning and Development department.
Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Police Officer or view by
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For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at .
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
EEO/Women, veterans and minorities are encouraged to apply.
This recruitment is open until filled. A review of submitted applications are scheduled every week until the close of this recruitment.
Selection Process:
Finalists who successfully meet the minimum qualifications listed above and successfully complete a city application, will, after a conditional job offer, go through an extensive background investigation, medical and psychological assessment and drug testing. City of Salem is a drug free workplace, including marijuana.
Contact Information:
Sgt. Robert Dowd
503-932-4517
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE
For benefits information, go to:
01
Do you currently possess a minimum of a Basic Police Certification by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) or out-of-state equivalent? We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.

• Yes
• No, but can get one within 6 months of hire.
• No

02
Are you currently or in the past 12 months, employed as an Police Officer with a minimum of three years of full-time employment (jail and most federal law enforcement experience will not be counted toward the three-year minimum)? We encourage you to include supporting details in your application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question