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Hostage Negotiation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$5/hr

SWAT Traffic Narcotics Detectives K-9 Marine Patrol UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Child Abuse School Resource Deputy Hostage Negotiation Bomb Technician Computer Forensics All members who have ...

Police Officer - Lateral

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

... Hostage Negotiation, FTO, Traffic Motorcycle Officers, SRO, Gang Enforcement Team, Investigations and SWAT. There are also opportunities for career advancement and department funded training ...

Police Officer - Lateral

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

... Hostage Negotiation, FTO, Traffic Motorcycle Officers, SRO, Gang Enforcement Team, Investigations and SWAT. There are also opportunities for career advancement and department funded training ...

Police Officer - Lateral

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

... Hostage Negotiation, FTO, Traffic Motorcycle Officers, SRO, Gang Enforcement Team, Investigations and SWAT. There are also opportunities for career advancement and department funded training ...

... Hostage Negotiation, FTO, Traffic Motorcycle Officers, SRO, Gang Enforcement Team, Investigations and SWAT. There are also opportunities for career advancement and department funded training ...

Share real-world insights and strategies from experience in CRT missions such as hostage negotiations, high-risk warrants, barricade situations, and active shooter incidents. * Skill Development

VA · On-site

Our specialty teams include SWAT, ERT, Precision Rifle, Dive, Drone/Robot, Hostage Negotiations, and K9 -- offering opportunities to grow, specialize, and make a real impact in your community. We ...

So you need to be part hostage negotiator. If this sounds like a typical Monday to you and you're ready to bring your skills to a startup that will respect and value them, read on. We are now looking ...

So you need to be part hostage negotiator. If this sounds like a typical Monday to you and you're ready to bring your skills to a startup that will respect and value them, read on. We are now looking ...

Police Officer - Lateral

Bothell, WA · On-site

$101K - $131K/yr

ALERT Team (Riot Control), Crime Analysis, Detectives, Field Training Officers, Firearms Instructors and Armorers, Hostage Negotiation Team and Training Instructors, Narcotic K-9 Officer, School ...

ALERT Team (Riot Control), Crime Analysis, Detectives, Field Training Officers, Firearms Instructors and Armorers, Hostage Negotiation Team and Training Instructors, Narcotic K-9 Officer, School ...

Police Officer

Garden City, KS · On-site

$27.14 - $33.08/hr

... Hostage Negotiators, or SWAT Team Officers. Work involves an element of personal danger. The employee must be able to exercise sound independent judgment under stress. Assignments may include work on ...

Showing results 41-60

Hostage Negotiation information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hostage negotiator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hostage Negotiator, you need expertise in crisis intervention, active listening, and conflict resolution, often supported by law enforcement experience and specialized negotiation training. Familiarity with communication technology, psychological assessment tools, and protocols such as the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) guidelines is crucial. Emotional intelligence, composure under extreme pressure, and persuasive communication are essential soft skills for building rapport and diffusing tense situations. These abilities are vital for ensuring the safe resolution of high-stakes incidents and protecting the lives of hostages and others involved.

How much do hostage negotiators get paid?

Hostage negotiators typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and agency. Law enforcement agencies often provide specialized training and may offer additional compensation for high-risk situations or overtime hours.

What is the difference between Hostage Negotiation vs Crisis Negotiator?

AspectHostage NegotiationCrisis Negotiator
CredentialsLaw enforcement or FBI training, negotiation certificationsLaw enforcement, FBI, or specialized crisis response training
Work EnvironmentHigh-stakes, tense situations involving hostagesVarious emergencies, including suicides, barricades, or public safety crises
Employer & IndustryPolice departments, FBI, government agenciesLaw enforcement, emergency services, government agencies

Both roles involve negotiation skills and law enforcement training, but hostage negotiation specifically focuses on resolving hostage situations, while crisis negotiators handle a broader range of emergencies. The skills and credentials overlap significantly, making them closely related roles within law enforcement agencies.

What is a hostage negotiator?

Hostage negotiators are specially trained law enforcement professionals who communicate with individuals holding hostages or threatening violence, with the primary goal of resolving the situation peacefully. They use psychological techniques, active listening, and crisis communication strategies to persuade the subject to release hostages and surrender. Hostage negotiators often work as part of a larger tactical team, coordinating closely with other police units. Their work requires calm under pressure, empathy, and the ability to build rapport quickly with distressed or volatile individuals.

Do you have to be a cop to be a hostage negotiation?

Hostage negotiation specialists are often law enforcement officers, but some agencies hire civilians with relevant skills such as psychology, communication, or crisis management. Typically, candidates need law enforcement experience, specialized training, and certification in negotiation techniques, though requirements vary by agency.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in hostage negotiation roles?

Hostage negotiators often face high-pressure situations where emotions run high and stakes are extremely serious. One common challenge is maintaining clear, calm communication while building trust with individuals in crisis, all while working against the clock. Negotiators must also collaborate closely with law enforcement teams, mental health professionals, and command units to devise effective strategies. Adapting to rapidly evolving situations and remaining composed under stress are essential skills for success in this field.

How often do hostage negotiators work?

Hostage negotiators typically work in shifts that can include day, evening, or overnight hours, often on a rotating schedule to ensure 24/7 coverage. They may be called in as needed for crisis situations, which means their work hours can be irregular and unpredictable depending on incident demands.
More about Hostage Negotiation jobs
What cities are hiring for Hostage Negotiation jobs? Cities with the most Hostage Negotiation job openings:
What states have the most Hostage Negotiation jobs? States with the most job openings for Hostage Negotiation jobs include:
Infographic showing various Hostage Negotiation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution.

$5/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Job Summary Clark County Sheriff's Office is a full service agency with challenging opportunities in law enforcement for deputies of all experience levels. The department is dedicated to a community-oriented policing style. The ideal candidate must have strong skills and abilities in the areas of facilitation, creative problem solving, active listening, motivation, and leadership. The role of Deputy requires the ability to draw upon a broad base of resources and apply those resources to effective problem solving. Deputies are expected to draw out citizens and business owners, enlisting their participation in shaping how law enforcement services are delivered to the community. If you have the skills and abilities required to meet the challenges of community policing, you are encouraged to apply. Entry level deputies are generally appointed to patrol deputy positions.
Entry Level Officers Receive a $10,000 Hiring Sign on Bonus!
Check out the Sheriff's Office Recruitment website here: www.goccso.com
These positions offer a wide variety of challenging emergency and routine duties including:
Patrolling assigned areas
Conducting investigations & interrogating witnesses/suspects
Responding to radio calls
Serving civil papers and warrants
Controlling disturbances & subduing and/or restraining individuals
Communicating ideas/information to group meetings
Providing resources/solutions to the public on crime prevention techniques and security
Developing public relation contact with civil groups, schools, businesses, neighborhood organizations and other law enforcement agencies.
Initial assignments will be patrol, but after two (2) to three (3) years of patrol experience, deputies have the opportunity to apply for special assignments in the following areas:
SWAT
Traffic
Narcotics
Detectives
K-9
Marine Patrol
UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems)
Child Abuse
School Resource Deputy
Hostage Negotiation
Bomb Technician
Computer Forensics
All members who have completed one year (12 months) of continuous special assignment (in an approved specialty unit) are eligible for special assignment pay of 5%.
Each pay period, the County provides an additional $5.00 to be used for the employee to obtain legal defense fund insurance.
Clark County Sheriff's Office is actively seeking qualified minorities, women and veterans to enhance its work force and to reflect the diversity of the community.
Deputy Sheriffs are represented by the Clark County Deputy Sheriffs' Guild.
Skillbridge Job Training program
The Skillbridge Job Training program offers transitioning active-duty Service members an opportunity to gain experience, train, intern, and apply for available/future employment position openings. This opportunity is for a training position of up to 16 weeks in duration that will prepare service members for a career as a certified law enforcement officer in Washington State. The Clark County Sheriff's Training Unit will conduct the training at various Clark County locations. Those who are accepted into this program will need to pass all deputy sheriff hiring requirements, including interviews, a polygraph, and psychological and medical evaluations prior to the start of the program. At the completion of the program, the Sheriff's Office will hire the service members. Once hired, they will attend the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
Deputy Sheriffs in the Sheriff's Office are governed by State Civil Service laws, which require specific recruitment procedures. This recruitment will be used to create a continuous eligibility list to fill current and future positions within the Sheriff's Office. Please refer to https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/civil-service-processQualifications
  • High school diploma or a GED certification

  • United States' Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident at the time of appointment

  • Ability to read and write the English language (required by RCW 41.14.00)

  • Valid driver's license at time of appointment

  • Have no prior felony or domestic violence convictions and/or recent or excessive drug usage history

  • Have the ability to perform the essential mental, verbal, visual and physical demands and functions of the position

Knowledge of: Geographic area of employment, including major roads and traffic routes; basic aims and principles of crime prevention, law enforcement, and rehabilitation.

Ability to: Learn and understand laws of arrest, search and seizure, and rules of evidence; respond quickly and exercise sound judgment under conditions of danger, confusion, and personal affront; physically restrain persons using proper and safe methods; use physical force to effect an arrest of resisting subjects; handle firearms safely and fire them accurately; maintain cooperative and responsible attitude toward co-workers and general public; use of various forms of technology to include computers; and speak and write effectively, using good grammar.

Any combination of work experience and education which clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the class.

Entry Level Officers Receive a $10,000 Hiring Sign on Bonus!
Employees are eligible for an education incentive, as follows:

All members holding an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling two percent (2.0%).

All members holding a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling four percent (4%).

All members holding a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university shall be eligible to receive education incentive pay totaling six percent (6%).


(Proof of degree received is required)

Selection Process

This is a continuous recruitment.Clark County retrieves scores from Public Safety Testing on a continuous basis.

APPLICANTS MUST PASS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WRITTEN EXAM AND PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST THROUGH PUBLIC SAFETY TESTING BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT STEP IN THE RECRUITMENT.Clark County downloads scores and invites candidates to fill out the required Application.

Application Review - Incomplete applications will not pass the review; attaching a resume and referring to a resume does not substitute for a completed application. Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Written Exam and Physical Ability Test (Weighted 30%) - Follow this link to Apply and Test with Public Safety Testing: http://www.publicsafetytesting.com. 1.866.HIRE-911 (1.866.447.3911)Minimum passing score is 70% on the written, and a PASS is required on the Physical Ability Test. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview (Weighted 70%) - Questions will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement. Minimum passing score of 70% is required. The oral board will consist of a three-member interview panel who will ask the same position-related, pre-established written questions of all candidates. Panelist evaluations are averaged to determine candidate interview scores. You must have taken the Public Safety Test and applied with Clark County BEFORE you can participate in the interviews.

Eligibility List - Candidate written exam scores will be ranked in order of high/low. The Civil Service Commission will review and certify candidates on the eligibility list to be in effect for 12 months from the date of list certification.

Background Investigation - Involves a comprehensive investigation based on information provided by candidates' personal history statements. The investigation will include: a neighborhood check, reference checks, personal interview, work history check, criminal, driving, and financial history checks (from high school forward). The Clark County Sheriff's Office conducts background investigations on candidates for positions in the Sheriff's Office who have satisfactorily completed the Civil Service examination process. The background investigation is a valued component in the overall picture of a candidate. Issues of integrity and ethics are taken very seriously due to our commitment to the community. The investigation will include: a neighborhood check, reference checks, personal interview, work history check, criminal, driving, and financial history checks.

Selection Interview: Periodically, the top five or more candidates from the eligibility list will be contacted to participate in a selection interview conducted by the Sheriff's Office. (NOTE: All offers of employment are contingent on successfully passing a psychological evaluation, a medical testing, a drug test, and a polygraph exam).

Post Offer Process: The post offer process includes successful completion prior to actual employment of another physical ability test, polygraph, psychological evaluation and full medical including drug screening.

Preference Points:

Per SB 6157

1) Candidates with full professional proficiency or who is completely fluent as a native speaker in one language other than English will be eligible for 5 percent to be added to their final score.

2) Candidates who have obtained an associate of arts or science degree or higher degree are eligible for 5 percent to be added to their final score.

Veteran's Preference Points*

Washington State law RCW 41.04.010 provides for Veterans' Scoring Criteria status in the examination of applicants for employment provided certain requirements are met. Clark County awards Veterans' Scoring Criteria, in accordance with state law, to veterans honorably released from active military service who meet all statutory requirements until the first appointment. If you are claiming Veterans' Scoring Criteria, you must attach your DD Form 214 Copy 4 to your completed application packet.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work is performed in a variety of settings, including a patrol vehicle and both indoor and outdoor commercial and residential settings. The majority of time is spent in a vehicle patrolling the Clark County area. Often work settings require exposure to varying and extreme weather conditions. When responding to emergencies risks of physical hazard will exist from various sources including violent people, a variety of weapons, noise, chemicals, bodily secretions, sharp objects, traffic, drugs and drug paraphernalia and crime scenes in general. Incumbents are expected to manage face-to-face interactions and confrontations with angry, hostile, depressed and/or otherwise emotionally distraught members of the public. As a result of such threat, the work requires quick, independent action and alertness in emergency and possibly life threatening situations.

Essential tasks of this positions include: operating motor vehicles; using digital police radios or other technology while patrolling; responding to emergency and routine calls; conducting investigations and/or interrogations; sustaining pursuits on a variety of terrain [on foot (running) and by vehicle (driving)], subduing, restraining and apprehending individuals suspected of criminal activity; making forcible arrests; carrying/dragging unconscious individuals; audiometric standards of no less of more than 25 decibels at the 500, 1000, 2000 or 3000 (HZ) levels in either ear, eye sight uncorrected not worse than 20/100, correctable to not worse than 20/30 OR correctable with soft contacts to 20/20-20/40; strong eye-hand coordination; handling firearms safely and firing them with consistency and accuracy; effective use of assigned law enforcement equipment which may include flashlights, asp, tazer, handcuffs, OC spray, etc.; confiscating and documenting property and evidence; using computer technology to write police reports and document ongoing investigations; climbing stairs, walls and along ledges, hillsides or embankments; moving heavy objects via pushing, pulling, etc.; crawling through small spaces; kneeling or crouching in small, confined areas and sitting for extended periods of time during surveillance; lifting materials, equipment and persons exceeding 100 lbs.; and disruption of sleep patterns as a result of rotation and/or irregular shift work.

    Examples of Duties
    • Respond to radio and or dispatched calls and computer aided dispatch for emergency assistance and law enforcement needs that result from crimes of violence, unruly crowds, auto accidents, child neglect, thefts and frauds, vandalism, and a variety of other misdemeanors and felonies. Takes necessary steps to restore the peace, and renders first aid and other emergency assistance; conducts investigations.

    • Interview witnesses, victim and suspects to crimes or auto accidents; arrests suspects; composes and submits written reports.

    • Serves warrants, makes arrests, and transports prisoners. Administers tests for intoxication and drug usage. Testifies in court as arresting officer. Serves civil processes and confiscates property by court order.

    • Patrols assigned area in patrol vehicle; cites traffic violators. Makes security checks of businesses and industrial districts. Maintain surveillance of public gathering places. Investigates and renders assistance at auto accidents.

    • Subdues or restrains persons committing or believed to be about to commit acts of violence according to the urgency of the need in the judgment of the senior officer present.

    • Performs other work as required.

    Salary GradeDeputy Sheriff.103Salary Range$45.16 - $65.53- per hour
    Close DateOpen Until FilledRecruiterLeslie Harrington Smith

    Email:

    Leslie.HarringtonSmith@clark.wa.govEqual Opportunity Employer

    Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available athttp://www.clark.wa.gov/human...