Employment Process

Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3	Phase 4	Phase 5

Phase 1 - Application

Application for Trooper Employment forms are fillable and available in Adobe Acrobat and in Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word allows applicants to save a copy of the Word form on your PC, complete and send by email as an attachment or print and send by postal mail. Adobe Reader allows applicants to complete, print the hard copy and send by postal mail.

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.

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 and Highway Patrol officers.

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 Investigation

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

Your family, friends, neighbors, present and former employers, fellow employees, school officials, firms with which you have done business, courts and 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 accidents 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.

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

Applicants will meet with a psychologist contracted by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

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 sworn officers, 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
a. 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.
b. 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
a. 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.
b. Candidates will run 50 feet to a vehicle and remove a human simulator dummy from the vehicle and drag, by grasping underarms, back to the starting point 50 feet away.

Changing a tire on a vehicle
a. Officers must be able to assist in changing a tire for the public during routine patrol.
b. 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.

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

Qualifications and Requirements	Duties and Resposibilites	Salary and Benefits	Training	Employment Process	Physical Fitness	Testimonials