The employment process begins when it is anticipated that eight openings are to be filled.  This is due to the extensive cost and time expended for new sworn officers to attend twenty-five weeks of classroom training followed by eight weeks of field training.  Successful applicants will be offered post locations in their conditional offer of employment based on the needs of the department.  Applicants must be willing to be stationed anywhere in North Dakota and respond to duty 24 hours a day.

Phase 1 - Application

When a job opening is announced, interested applicants must submit an Application for Trooper Employment (SFN 2242), resume, cover letter, and an unofficial college transcript to the address listed on the application.

The Application for Trooper Employment form is fillable and available in Adobe Acrobat.  Adobe Reader allows applicants to complete the application, print a hard copy or save an electronic copy, and send it by postal mail or e-mail.  The electronic version can be e-mailed to Bonnie Chase, Human Resources Specialist, at bchase@nd.gov.

Written examinations and oral interviews will be conducted at various locations around the state. 

• The POST Test and Wonderlic Personnel Test will be administered the morning of the first day of testing in each location. 
• The MMPI II and CPI tests will be administered that afternoon to individuals who pass Phase 2. The department psychologist will review the results of these tests, after a Conditional Offer of Employment is given in Phase 5.
• A 30-minute oral interview will be scheduled within two days of the written tests.  Individuals from out-of-state will be scheduled for the first interviews.
• Applicants must receive a favorable recommendation from the Oral Interview Board to be considered further in the selection process. 

Phase 2 - Written Tests

Applicants must successfully pass written tests designed to determine suitability for the position of Highway Patrol Trooper.  These tests measure the primary skills critical to successfully learn and perform the duties of a trooper.

Applicants must achieve at least 70 percent in each section of the Peace Officers Standards Test and a minimum score of 21 in the Wonderlic Personnel Test to move on to Phase 3.  These are general knowledge tests, not criminal law and procedure type tests.

Phase 3 - Oral Interview and Written Personality Tests

Applicants who successfully pass Phase 2 will be scheduled to go before an Oral Interview Board and take written tests that appraise an individual’s interests, attitude, and other personality characteristics.

The key to a successful interview is advance preparation. Learn about the job; gather and read written materials (brochures, job announcement, etc.); talk to law enforcement officers and Highway Patrol employees.

Applicants must receive a favorable recommendation from the Oral Interview Board to be considered further in the selection process.

The purpose of the interview is to determine if the candidate possesses the qualifications and the right temperament and attitude for a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper.

Applicants must communicate effectively and are expected to demonstrate that ability, speaking with confidence in a clear and succinct manner.  Another fraction of the candidate’s score is based upon an assessment of his/her personal appearance.

At the end of the interview, applicants will have an opportunity to ask questions or add details that may help the panel determine the applicant’s interview score.

Phase 4 - Background Information

Officers of the North Dakota Highway Patrol will conduct a complete and thorough background investigation to determine your suitability for employment as a State Trooper.

Your family, friends, neighbors, present and former employers, fellow employees, school officials, firms with which you have done business, courts, local law enforcement agencies, etc., will be contacted as part of this investigation. The following occurrences in your background could result in rejection of your application:

• Pled or been found guilty of a felony or ever been charged with a felony that was later dismissed under a deferred imposition of sentence.
• Use of drugs or conviction for drug related violations.
• Intemperate use of alcohol.
• Anti-social behavior.
• Poor work record.
• Poor driving record. For instance, numerous crashes or numerous convictions for moving traffic violations.
• Unfavorable credit rating.

The applicant’s background will be considered in terms of honesty, integrity, moral character, emotional stability, reputation in the community, and the applicant’s interest in serving people. The completed background information is furnished to a screening committee which reviews the total application and makes a final determination as to your acceptance.

Phase 5 - Physical Examination, Interview with Psychologist, and Physical Agility Testing

Letters offering conditional employment will be sent to individuals before requiring them to take a physical examination, be interviewed by a psychologist contracted by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, and perform job related physical skill tests.

Applicants will meet with a psychologist contracted by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.  They must be given a favorable recommendation to continue in the selection process.

A physical examination, to include drug screening, will be given by the department physician at no expense to the applicant.

A comprehensive test to determine physical conditioning is necessary to assess an applicant’s potential physical ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of a sworn officer, as well as the ability to successfully complete the physical fitness training program administered in the course of the Highway Patrol Academy. Physical agility tests may include:

Pushing a disabled vehicle

• Officers in the course of their regular duties are at times required to move disabled or abandoned vehicles a short distance. This test will demonstrate sufficient physical strength and ability to move a vehicle on level ground.
• Candidate will be required to physically push a typical passenger vehicle a sufficient distance and steer it off the roadway onto the shoulder.

Weight drag

• This test will demonstrate the applicant has sufficient strength in the body and limbs to remove an adult person from a vehicle and drag them.
• Candidates will remove a human simulator dummy from the vehicle and drag, by grasping underarms, back to the starting point 30 feet away.

Changing a tire on a vehicle

• Officers must be able to assist the public in changing a tire during routine patrol.
• This test will demonstrate the applicant has sufficient strength to remove the spare tire from the trunk of a typical vehicle.  This will also tell if there is sufficient arm strength to remove wheel lugs, which have been tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.  This must be completed within 10 minutes.

Weapon Control

• Officers must have the physical strength and dexterity to appropriately handle duty weapons
• This test will demonstrate the applicant has sufficient arm and hand strength to properly handle the issued duty weapon.  The applicant will manipulate the slide functions on an unloaded duty weapon and demonstrate the ability to load issued magazines with practice ammunition.

Final Phase - Hiring

Those applicants who pass all portions of the employment process will be placed on the eligibility roster in the order of their standing.