The Civil Service Commission administers testing and creates eligibility lists for hiring and promoting of all Sheriff’s Office employees under Chapter 41.14 RCW. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office conducts background investigations, including criminal, employment, and psychological, etc., for hiring and promoting of all Sheriff’s Office employees.

The Board of County Commissioners appoints county citizens to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Each Civil Service Commissioner serves a six-year term without compensation. During their term, they cannot hold any salaried public office, or engage in county employment, other than the commission duties. The terms of the Commissioners do not run consecutively. Only two Commissioners can be of the same political party.