Colorado State Patrol Cadet

JOB APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS OF COLORADO. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5PM ON 06/13/2026

•NO

EXCEPTIONS!

Our Mission•Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision•Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values•Unity, Honor, ServiceThe State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career. We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and Salary:

STATE PATROL

CADETAnticipated Hiring Range:

$6,754/month; $81,048/year

Full Salary Range:

$6,754•$7,429/month; $81,048•$89,148/year

Benefits:

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees. The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee's health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.

Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.

State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.

Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI). Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.

We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.

We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.

The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.

Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

About the

Division:

The mission of the

Colorado State Patrol:

By adhering to our core values, we provide modern policing services for all persons to protect life, peace, and property throughout Colorado.

The vision of the

Colorado State Patrol:

To create a safer Colorado through strategic innovation led by an engaged and empowered membership that provides visible service. Through high visibility, strict enforcement, maximum resource deployment, and community education, the CSP promotes safety, protects lives, and preserves state highways using the programs described below: Traffic Safety•enforces motor vehicle and all other Colorado laws on 8,400 miles of highway and 57,000 miles of county roads, including selective enforcement actions, saturation patrols, crash investigations, and educational safety programs.

Communications•provides a professional communications system for members of the Patrol, other state, local, and federal agencies, and Colorado residents.

Criminal Interdiction and Automobile Theft•proactively investigates motor vehicle theft and related offenses, inspects Vehicle Identification Numbers, interdicts illegal drugs, and gathers intelligence to support state and national homeland security efforts.

Hazardous Materials Enforcement•enforces permitting and routing rules, develops safe transportation rules and regulations, and provides timely response and mitigation for hazardous materials events on-roadways.

Executive and Capitol Security•provides 24-hour security at the State Capitol and Capitol Complex, and security for the Governor, First Family, visiting dignitaries, and public demonstrations.

Smuggling and Trafficking Interdiction Section•enforces the state's human smuggling and human trafficking laws on Colorado roadways.

Port of Entry and Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program•collaborates with industry to support safe transport of materials on commercial motor carriers in Colorado.

Aircraft Program•supports traffic enforcement activities and transports state officials and employees.

Victims Assistance•provides direct services to victims of highway traffic crimes in accordance with the Victim Rights Act.

Work Environment:

100% In-person position This role supports a 24/7 statewide law enforcement mission. Work hours vary and may include extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts depending on staffing and incident demands.

Description of Job:

This position serves in a training and learning capacity, receiving instruction on basic law enforcement services in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the Colorado State Patrol and in compliance with governing federal and state laws. The position will learn and demonstrate the ability to exercise extensive independent judgment in making decisions, that may include taking immediate actions with limited opportunity to consider various alternatives. Cadets must successfully complete all academy courses, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operations, weapon qualification(s) and use of force to move to the classification of Trooper, within the prescribed training period. This position will work under the direction of the Major and Commander of the State Patrol Academy and the qualified/uniformed & civilian/certified training staff. A State Patrol Cadet trains to become a fully functional State Trooper to patrol highways ensuring public safety by enforcing all state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network. A cadet will also train to analyze trends and statistics in order to determine the appropriate enforcement process to be used in accomplishing task goals. A Colorado State Patrol Cadet attends the prescribed training academy and must successfully complete every course. This announcement will be filling the Academy class commencing January 11, 2027.A new cadet will immediately commence to the duties & demonstrate responsibility for his/her conduct, as being part of a safe and positive work environment, for sustaining moderate fitness levels, and as a student while in various environments (i.e., classroom, firearms training, fitness, driving track, outdoor training).You can find out more about the Academy and Cadet training by clicking here.

Key Responsibilities:

Arrest Authority Training The Cadet position receives instruction in the interpretation and application of laws and statues of the State of Colorado, laws of arrest, rights of citizens, basic criminal investigation processes and techniques including law enforcement ethics, witness interviews and collection of evidence.

Communication TrainingThe Cadet position receives instruction on the interpretation and application of the agency's key polices, positions and strategies while interpreting and applying policy and procedures to the public in an operational capacity. Cadets receive instruction on the interpretation of the philosophies and programs implemented by the agency, on effective report writing and effective speaking. The Cadet position also receives instruction on serving as a witness in court testimony and providing accurate, complete and truthful statements.

Emergency Response TrainingThe Cadet position receives instruction to perform independently and to recognize immediate problems. A Cadet must make responsible decisions and take the appropriate corrective action without the benefit of close supervision. Training will include participation in simulated instruction in situations that are often stressful or dangerous in nature. The Cadet position receives instruction and interpretation in collection of evidence, participates in firearms training and physical methods of arrest training, participates in emergency vehicle operations training to include pursuit, defensive driving and emergency driving. The Cadet position receives instruction in enforcement psychology, enforcement tactics, and crowd control tactics, recognizing and respecting the complexities of cultural diversity, radio communications, and basic medical response techniques. The Cadet position also participates in a physical training program. Technical Expertise/TrainingThe Cadet position receives instruction in necessary technical expertise to include but not limited to: use of patrol vehicles, firearms, use of force, arrest control, physical fitness, use of assigned equipment, crash investigations, officer safety skills, decision making skills, and current technology. Instruction is provided on how and when to effectively use lethal and less lethal weapons, arrest control tactics and tools. Cadets must attend all assigned training and acquire all required certifications prescribed by agency written directives and Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) standards.

Upon graduation from the academy, Cadets become Troopers with a pay rate of $7,635 monthly.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Disability Accommodation If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: cdps_hr@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. Recruitment Timeline Information and Important NoticesApplications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.

Closing Date:

All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Supplemental Question:

Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.

Transcripts:

An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.

Military Veterans:

If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.

Application Tips:

For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video. Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).

Notifications:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application. Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.e-

Verify:

CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

The stages of the Cadet hiring process and details can be seen here: Minimum Qualification Review Written Test (administered virtually)The Written Test passing score is 70%. The applicants with the top 300 passing Written Test scores will be moving forward in the hiring process.

PolygraphBackground InvestigationMajors' Review Board In-Person InterviewsConditional offer•at this step the top candidates will need to pass psychological assessment, pre-employment medical screening and a drug test.

Final OfferDuty Locations Provided