Agency

NC State Highway Patrol

Division

NC State Highway Patrol

Job Classification Title

Highway Patrol Trooper (S)

Position Number

Grade

HP01

About Us

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.

Description of Work

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is accepting applications from currently certified North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training officers for the 171st Western Basic Short School. Selected applicants will attend classes on the campus of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, beginning May 17, 2027. This continuous recruitment supports current and anticipated Highway Patrol Trooper vacancies statewide.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

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.

171st Western Basic Short School

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.

Application period: September 14, 2026, through January 18, 2027

First day of school and anticipated hire date: May 17, 2027

Anticipated graduation date: August 20, 2027

Training location: Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina

Salary and Career Progression

Salary range: $60,238-$92,290

Salary increases occur as successful applicants complete the Short School and each year of service:

Career Stage / Annual Salary

• 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.

Note: This job classification qualifies for the employee referral bonus program.  If you were referred to this job posting by a current NCSHP employee, and you are eventually hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.

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

A successful officer demonstrates the:

• 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

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.

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 of oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

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.

The NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.

https://www.ncshp.gov/

The Mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is to protect our State with integrity, loyalty, and professionalism. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will excel as a national leader in public service through innovative law enforcement, strategic preparedness, and community engagement.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace.  NCSHP supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Application Resources
State of North Carolina Hiring Process Information here.

Be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted. 
  
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. 

If multiple applications are submitted to this posting, only the most recent application received will be considered.

This is a continuous (evergreen) posting and may remain open for an extended period. The posting may be reposted to maintain applicant visibility.

Due to the volume of applications and ongoing recruitment efforts, individual application status updates may be limited. Applicants are encouraged to monitor their Workday account for updates.

Because this is an ongoing recruitment process, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted as positions become available.

Please make sure that you have entered all necessary information on your application.  Once you hit submit you will not be able to edit or reapply to this position to add information or attachments even if you withdraw your application.

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

EEO Statement

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.

Recruiter:

Monica L Lugo Garavito

Recruiter Email:

MONICA.LUGO-GARAVITO@NCSHP.GOV