Job Vacancy Announcement – 120th JOINT Trooper School – ACCELERATED (A) & BASIC (B) CURRICULUM

Job Vacancy Announcement    –   120th JOINT Trooper School – ACCELERATED (A) & BASIC (B) CURRICULUM

Click link to apply: https://careers.georgia.gov/jobs/120th-joint-trooper-school-trooper-accelerated-a-basic-b-curriculum-56153

GEORGIA STATE PATROL - TROOPER

Join an elite group of men and women who serve, protect, and defend the people of the State of Georgia, while preserving the rights and dignity of all. We are looking for those with a strong mind and work ethic, uncompromising character, and a servant’s heart who can handle a never-ending variety of situations and people. You will receive the very best technical, physical, and law enforcement training while gaining skills to put you at the top of your game. We invest thousands of dollars in your training that consistently results in true professionals who provide assistance to Georgia’s citizens, safeguard lives and property, and promote peace and order throughout the state. Come join the courageous men and women of the Georgia State Patrol and experience the greatest camaraderie and teamwork in a unique environment that delivers law enforcement at the highest possible standard. We are looking for YOU!

The Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for the 120th Trooper School, which is anticipated to begin July 13, 2025. This school will be a dual-purpose class that will include both an accelerated curriculum for those candidates that are already POST certified and a basic curriculum for non-certified candidates.

• The accelerated curriculum will begin with 14 weeks within the Academy after which candidates will complete 12 weeks of Field Training and begin their career as a Georgia State Trooper.
• The basic curriculum is a total of 34 weeks consisting of 22 weeks of Academy curriculum followed by 12 weeks of Field Training. Please visit www.gatrooper.com to contact a recruiter with any questions you may have. 

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE 120th TROOPER SCHOOL IS February 2, 2025!

LOCATION ASSIGNMENTS:

Assignments will be made based on the staffing needs of the department.  However, DPS will make every effort to assign graduating 120th Troopers to a patrol post located within driving distance of their residence.

ANNUAL SALARY:
$61,604 (while in Trooper School).

TROOPER CAREER PATH*:

Trooper (upon graduation) - $63,684

Trooper First Class 1- $69,126

Trooper First Class 2- $74,594

Trooper First Class 3- $80,024

Senior Trooper- $83,215

Master Trooper - $86,525

Troopers assigned to Troop C (Post 9- Marietta, Post 47- Forest Park, Post 48-Atlanta,Post 49-Motor Unit and Post 51 – Gwinnett) also receive a 10% salary supplement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Troopers patrol the roadways to enforce traffic and criminal laws. Troopers investigate traffic crashes and assist motorists. The Georgia State Patrol is an assisting agency to all law enforcement agencies in this and any other state. Troopers may assist other agencies with enforcing traffic and criminal laws in their area, civil unrest, or matters of protecting citizens’ First Amendment rights. Troopers participate in criminal apprehension and prosecution. The Department of Public Safety offers many opportunities for specialized assignments for Troopers throughout their career.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, possess a diploma from an accredited high school or G.E.D, and must be 21 years old upon graduation from Trooper School.
Applicants must also successfully pass the pre-employment process which includes the background investigation and polygraph, oral interview, physical fitness test, and psychological and medical evaluations.

Eligibility for the Accelerated Curriculum:

Candidates for the accelerated curriculum must have two (2) years of prior law enforcement experience between July 2020 and July 2025, and meet one of the following requirements:

1. Be a certified peace (police) officer by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.); or
2. Have been notified by P.O.S.T. that an Equivalency of Training (EOT) application has been approved prior to the beginning of Trooper School.
   • Types of officers who may be eligible for the EOT process:
     • Federal Peace Officers who have graduated from the FLETC Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP), Mixed Basic Police Training Program (MBPTP), or the equivalency of training;
     • United States Military Police Officers (Army, Air Force, and Marines) who have graduated from their branch’s Basic Military Police Course and possess a minimum of a general discharge under honorable conditions;
     • Out-of-State Police Officers who have graduated from their states Uniform Police Academy and their certification is valid and in good standing;
     • Graduates of the Department of Defense (DOD) Uniformed Police Training Program
   • Certification as a police officer in another state or with the federal government must be valid and in good standing (not revoked or suspended). 
   • For EOT applicants whose EOT application is approved, the EOT Training requirements will be met during Trooper School.
   • For questions regarding the EOT process and/or the accelerated curriculum, contact SFC Dustin Rozier (404-387-3413) or CPL Shaun Sutherland (678-346-0233).

Certified officers are not currently eligible for employment with DPS if:

• the cost of your mandate training was paid for by another State of Georgia, county, or municipality law enforcement agency, AND
• you did not complete basic mandate training on or before July 12, 2023.

We strongly encourage those who do not meet this requirement to re-apply once 24 months has passed from the date of your mandate training completion to the announced start date of a future Trooper School. Important Note: This does not apply to candidates who paid for their own mandate training (pre-service candidates) or who are currently certified in another state.

 BACKGROUND PACKET

Please click the following link below to access the background packet. ALL applicants participating in a Physical Training (PT) session must bring a completed background packet.

 http://dps.georgia.gov/employment-forms

PHYSICAL FITNESS STANDARDS: The Physical Fitness Program is an evaluation of absolute standards (same job = same standard). These standards are based upon Cooper Institute standards reflective of the minimum fitness level an individual must possess to perform their job regardless of their age or gender. Please note that these are the minimum standards for consideration for employment. The Trooper School cadets will be required to be at a much higher level of fitness, which includes long distance running for cardiovascular endurance. It is highly suggested that applicants implement physical training programs that will prepare them to exceed the minimum requirements listed below.

The following events will comprise the assessment:

PT DATES FOR THE 120th TROOPER SCHOOL:  DPS has scheduled PT events for numerous locations throughout the state of Georgia. Applicants may attend any of the scheduled PT sessions.

Please click the following link for all scheduled PT dates and locations.

http://www.gatrooper.com/PTDates.html

MEDICAL STANDARDS: Minimum vision of 20/60 uncorrected in each eye, and corrected to 20/40 or better in both eyes with glasses or contact lenses. Additional medical standards must be met prior to final offer of employment.

UNIFORM & APPEAREANCE

The DPS Uniform and Appearance Policy has changed to allow applicants with some visible tattoos in a short sleeve uniform shirt to wear a long sleeve shirt. Please visit https://dps.georgia.gov/dps-careers/employment-disqualifiers for more information on what types and locations of tattoos/brands that will result in disqualification.

VETERAN’S BENEFITS:
Eligible veterans for GI Bill benefits can receive 18 months’ worth of stipend pay from the Veteran’s Administration in addition to the salary paid by DPS while in the academy and during on the job training after graduation. The current OJT rates vary by which GI Bill the veteran selects and time of service.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employees and applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, natural origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

For more information about this job contact:

Human Resources Division
404-624-7553 or [email protected]