Highway Patrol Trooper - 171st Western Basic Short School

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