Highway Patrol Trooper - 171st Western Basic Short School

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol's primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP has more than 1,600 troopers who cover nearly 80,000 miles of North Carolina roadways, more than any other state except Texas. In addition to enforcing the state's traffic laws, state troopers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations, re-route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and they stand ready should any act of terrorism occur. State Troopers are committed to protecting North Carolina's motoring public.

This is a continuous (evergreen) posting used to recruit for current and anticipated Highway Patrol Trooper vacancies statewide. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Because this is an ongoing recruitment effort, not all applicants will be contacted immediately. Qualified applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted as processing opportunities become available.

Certified applicants only. The 171st Western Basic is a Short School for applicants who currently hold North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification or are enrolled in a BLET course scheduled to graduate by May 17, 2027. Applicants who do not meet either of these requirements are not eligible for this Short School.

• While attending the 171st Western Basic Short School --> $60,238

• Upon graduation from the 171st Western Basic Short School --> $63,250

• Completion of Year 1 as a Trooper --> $67,361

• Completion of Year 2 as a Trooper --> $71,739

• Completion of Year 3 as a Trooper --> $76,403

• Completion of Year 4 as a Trooper --> $81,368

• Completion of Year 5 as a Trooper --> $86,657

• Completion of Year 6 as a Trooper --> $92,290

As a member of our team, you will contribute to public safety by enforcing traffic laws and reducing crime on public streets and highways in North Carolina.  Duties include assisting the public in emergencies; investigating highway accidents; apprehending violators of the laws and/or issuing warnings; testifying in court; and assisting other law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.

Basic Qualifications

To apply, an applicant must:

• Currently hold North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training certification (BLET).

• Be 21 years of age by the first day of Basic School and no more than 39 years of age on the first day of Basic School.

• Possess a High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED).

• Score at or above a 10th-grade reading level on standardized testing.

• Be a United States Citizen or Naturalized Citizen.

• Have no felony convictions.

• Have no convictions for any serious misdemeanor offense.

• Possess a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

• Be willing to live and work anywhere in the State of North Carolina.

• Have 20/30 vision in each eye, with uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in each eye, corrected to 20/30 in each eye.

If an applicant meets the basic qualifications listed above, then the applicant must successfully pass the following stages of the application process before being considered for employment:

• Polygraph Examination

• Extensive Background Investigation

• Review Board (Interview Panel)

• Medical/Physical Exam (including drug screening)

• Initial Assessment (Applicants must score at or above 50% on the Cooper Physical Fitness Test)

• Psychological Examination

• Colonel’s Review

• Ability to learn, interpret and impartially apply the applicable provisions of the motor vehicle laws of North Carolina.

• Ability to collect and present information on patrol activities and investigations in oral and written form.

• Ability to deal with authority but courteously with the general public.

• Ability to read calmly and quickly under emergency conditions.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

State employees engaged in Law enforcement work, as defined by state statue, are subject to and must meet the applicable education and training standards as defined as established by the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.  If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCSHP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NCSHP will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
 
Employment Eligibility
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and NCSHP that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) before or on the first day of employment.   We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.