Montana Department of Justice - Montana Highway Patrol TROOPER

LAST CALL!  Closes 11:59 March 23, 2022.  (based on your computer's timezone):  

We are currently recruiting for at least 10 Highway Patrol Trooper positions for a September 2022 Academy. The Highway Patrol Division is the traffic law enforcement division of the Department of Justice and is responsible for the enforcement of criminal and motor vehicle and highway safety laws on highways according to state and federal statutes, as well as the investigation of traffic crashes.

For more detailed information regarding the duties, working conditions, physical demands, and competencies, please view the MHP Homepage at https://dojmt.gov/highwaypatrol/. 

Choose where you want to live and work in Montana! Applicants who are successful in the selection process and offered employment to attend the Academy will be allowed to select duty station assignments (pending final approval from the Chief of the Patrol).  These assignments will be assumed after successful completion of the Academy and Field Training Assignment. 

Qualifications - External

At the time of application, the applicant must:

• Be 18 years of age.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Possess a high school diploma or a state-issued equivalency diploma.
• Possess a valid driver's license and meet the qualifications to operate a department vehicle or personal vehicle for department business, which is required by state and department policies.  

The positions require the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:

• Actively listen and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Multi-task and process information quickly.
• Adhere to the code of conduct and oath of office.
• Model and follow high standards of honesty and integrity.
• Be reliable and dependable in performing job-related tasks.
• Tolerate a high degree of stress and remain calm under emotional emergency conditions.   

Please see http://dojmt.gov/highwaypatrol/recruitment-applicant-info/ for all requirements for these positions.   

This is a recruitment for both entry and lateral applicants.

An entry-level applicant has not graduated from the MLEA Law Enforcement Officer Basic Course in Montana and does not have any previous law enforcement experience.

A lateral applicant meets one of the following requirements:  

 1.  Has graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) Law Enforcement Officer Basic Course within the last three years 

or

2. Possesses a current Basic Law Enforcement POST Certificate (from Montana or another state) within the last three years

Out-of-state lateral applicants are also required to attend an additional two weeks of training (Legal Equivalency Course per MCA 7-32-303 and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing per MCA 61-8-404).  

For lateral applicants:  A successful lateral applicant’s training and experience will determine whether a lateral applicant qualifies for the 11-week MHP Advanced.   The five-week condensed lateral Academy is NOT an option for this recruitment.

 We are seeking at least 10 successful candidates from this recruitment to attend the September 2022 Academy. Academy training is in Helena/Boulder and is 24 weeks for entry-level candidates.  A lateral applicant’s training and experience will determine whether a lateral applicant qualifies for the 11-week MHP Advanced.   Out-of-state lateral applicants are also required to attend an additional two weeks of training (Legal Equivalency Course per MCA 7-32-303 and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing per MCA 61-8-404).  These courses are to be taken preferably prior to the MHP Advanced Academy (or at least within the first year of employment).

The academy is a resident academy. During the academy, cadets receive compensation at $19.45 per hour, uniforms, housing, and meals (except for days off). After successfully completing the training academy, Cadets may be sworn in as Troopers.  Cadets not employed upon completion of the academy, due to lack of trooper vacancies, will be placed on a reserve list. Cadets on the reserve list will be subject to an additional background investigation prior to appointment as a sworn trooper. Upon being sworn in as a trooper, the minimum starting pay is $24.32 per hour. In addition, the sworn Trooper positions are part of a collective bargaining unit represented by MFPE.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé and cover letter, written testing, pre-employment interview,  presentation and structured interview, physical fitness testing, performance tests, academic transcripts, reference/background checks, credit history check, and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.  (Examples include:  transcripts, letters of recommendation).

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Criminal History Fingerprint Check
• Intensive Background Check
• Driving History
• Drug Testing

Real ID Compliant Credential Required and/or Passport:

State employees are required to present legally binding photo identification at the time of hire.  Generally, this is a valid driver license, U.S. Passport or Employment Authorization ID (Form I-766).

All DOJ positions require a valid REAL ID or U.S. Passport within 60 days of hire, effective May 3, 2023.

For further information go to https://mtrealid.gov or https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions  

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a cover letter and résumé at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your cover letter and resume you must mark each of the attachments as a “Relevant File”.

Your Cover Letter: How do your qualifications and experience directly correlate to the duties of this position and what makes you the best candidate for the job?

Your Résumé: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position.  Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required; however, you will need to initiate an application, attache the cover letter and résumé to be considered for this position.  Failure to attach a cover letter and résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further. 

Only electronic applications will be accepted.  Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date.  You will receive an email with instructions on how to submit such documents.

You will receive a system-generated confirmation e-mail upon submitting your application.  In addition, continuous application screening will begin immediately, and you will be notified via e-mail if your application is complete (within five business days).

All applicants will receive notification of their status in the process. We anticipate this correspondence will be sent from the Patrol's office (via e-mail) no later than March 30, 2022.   

Applicants successful in the initial screening will be eligible to participate in the written testing.   The written testing will be administered virtually. For those applicants eligible to continue in the process, they will provided dates for the testing in the March 30, 2022, correspondence.  

Hints for applying as well as study guides for the written test and physical fitness testing are available on the Patrol's website.

Applicants passing each phase may be eligible to proceed to the next phases in selection process.  The next phases include  pre-employment interview, job suitability testing, additional paperwork completion/supporting documents, backgrounds, conditional offer testing.

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.  

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify.

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Job:  Security/Protective Services 

Salary: $ 24.32 - 24.32  Hourly Benefits Package Eligibility:  Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan  

Number of Openings:  10 Employee Status:  Regular Schedule:  Full-Time 

Shift:  Rotating 

Travel:  Yes, 100 % of the Time  

Primary Location:  Boulder    Agency:  Department of Justice Union:  Montana Federation of Public Employees Bargaining Unit:  036 - MHP Troopers  

Posting Date:  Feb 23, 2022, 3:07:40 PM