Description
THE OPPORTUNITY
King County offers a compelling opportunity to lead a well-established civilian oversight office with meaningful authority and a broad mandate. The next Director will shape the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight’s continued evolution while navigating the complex intersection of accountability, community expectations, law enforcement, labor, and County government. For a leader who can pair principled independence with sound judgment and strong relationships, this is an opportunity to advance meaningful change and strengthen public trust in law enforcement oversight.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
Home to more than 2.3 million residents, King County is the largest county in Washington State and the 12th most populous county in the United States. Anchored by Seattle and extending from the shores of Puget Sound to the Cascade Mountains, King County encompasses more than 2,300 square miles of vibrant urban centers, thriving suburban communities, productive farmland, forests, rivers, and alpine wilderness. The County’s breathtaking natural setting provides residents with exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, boating, cycling, and countless parks and open spaces. Residents enjoy outstanding educational institutions, professional sports, renowned culinary experiences, vibrant neighborhoods, and an abundance of recreational and cultural amenities. Whether drawn by career opportunities, the region’s unparalleled natural beauty, or its commitment to innovation and public service, people who choose King County find one of the nation’s most dynamic and rewarding places to live, work, and build a future.
THE OFFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERSIGHT
Per the recommendation of King County Sheriff’s Blue Ribbon Panel, in 2006 the Metropolitan King County Council created the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) to ensure the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the Sheriff’s Office in misconduct investigations and to foster greater community trust in the Sheriff's Office. With over 1,200 employees, the King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) serves the needs of over half a million people in unincorporated areas and thirteen contract cities.
OLEO’s authority and responsibility have been expanded by the voters with a charter amendment, by the Council with an ordinance enactment, and through ratified collective bargaining agreements. Today, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight is staffed by 14 professionals and is funded with a 2026/2027 biennial budget of $6.8 million. Its work spans the following functional areas: investigations, policies and practices, and community engagement.
THE POSITION
Appointed by and accountable to the King County Council, the Director of OLEO provides independent executive leadership for the County’s civilian oversight of the King County Sheriff’s Office. The Director leads a specialized office charged with advancing accountability, transparency, and public confidence through credible review, thoughtful policy guidance, and meaningful community engagement. Operating in a highly visible and often contentious environment, the Director must preserve OLEO’s independence while building the relationships necessary to influence change across law enforcement, County government, labor, and the community. Key responsibilities include setting the strategic direction for OLEO and ensuring the office carries out its responsibilities with independence, objectivity, integrity, and consistency; serving as the Council’s principal subject matter expert on law enforcement oversight and police accountability, providing candid counsel, formal reports, public presentations, and actionable recommendations; building durable relationships with communities across King County, particularly those historically underserved or disproportionately affected by the criminal legal system; navigating the intersection of oversight authority, collective bargaining obligations, public records requirements, and County governance; safeguarding the reputation and effectiveness of the office by ensuring timely access to information, producing clear and defensible work, managing high-profile matters with sound judgment; and identifying patterns, risks, and opportunities for improvement in Sheriff’s Office policies, practices, training, and systems.
The ideal candidate will be a principled and thoughtful leader who is grounded in fairness, consistency, and respect for all parties. They will bring the independence and courage necessary to fulfill OLEO’s oversight responsibilities, balanced by the judgment, objectivity, and relationship skills required to make that oversight credible and effective.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The hiring range for the Director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight is $181,306 - $243,836 dependent on qualifications. An excellent executive benefit package is provided including retirement through the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), offered through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. The Director will have the choice of PERS Plan 2 or Plan 3.
For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates should apply no later than Monday, September 28, 2026. Submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter online at:
www.mosaicpublic.com/careers
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 581-1426
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or Juris Doctorate will demonstrate sufficient formal education, but experience may be substituted for education.
Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience leading an organization and performing complex investigations or reviews related to personnel or labor issues, human or civil rights issues, or law enforcement related issues.
Background Investigation: As OLEO staff have access to Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), a more intensive background investigation may be required if the selected candidate does not already have CJIS clearance. Successful completion of the background investigation is required for appointment.
