Pathway to Trooper (Dispatcher Trainee)

Title: Pathway to Trooper (Dispatcher Trainee) DSPF0011, DSPF0012, DSPF0013

State Role Title: Emergency Coordinator I

Hiring Range: Salary is Negotiable and Commensurate with Experience for Dispatchers. Dispatcher Trainees will start at $39,247

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Department of State Police

Location: Colonial Heights

Agency Website: vsp.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Is your dream to become a Virginia State Trooper, but you’re not yet 21 years of age? The Virginia State Police can help you achieve this dream through our Pathway to Trooper Program. This program is designed for individuals who want to become a Virginia State Trooper but are not old enough (applicants must be at least 21 years of age by their Trooper Basic Session graduation date). With the Pathway to Trooper Program, you could be hired as a full-time Dispatcher Trainee and be given the opportunity to gain valuable insight about the Department, while waiting to attend a Trooper Basic Session. In addition to primarily serving as a Dispatcher, you will also be able to participate in the Trooper pre-employment process as you near a Trooper Basic Session. Also, you will be exposed to Recruitment Unit activities; the Future Trooper Training Program; assignments in the Training Division such as driving or firearms training; assistance as a role player; Trooper ride-alongs; and other activities that allow exposure to the daily responsibilities of a Trooper. Start your State Trooper journey today – apply to the Virginia State Police Pathway to Trooper Program!

We are seeking to expand our diverse team of change makers and innovators. As a member of the Virginia State Police family, you would make a difference by serving every city, county, town, resident, and visitor of the Commonwealth through supporting our vast public safety mission.

Established in 1932, the Virginia State Police has grown to be the largest police department in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the mission of the Department has continued to expand, our workforce continues to grow. We embrace our tradition of professionalism and excellence, and we are excited for our future as we continue our journey to become best in class. We are firmly committed to our family-like culture and are seeking to expand our diverse team.

We provide an outstanding benefits package, including excellent health insurance, membership in the Virginia Retirement System, deferred compensation, paid leave starting on day one, and other benefits available to Commonwealth of Virginia Employees. This is all available in our Pathway to Trooper Program!

In addition, the Virginia State Police supports its personnel through a comprehensive, holistic Wellness Program. From our Therapy Dog, Piper, to full-time peer support, our wellness staff teaches and coaches “cognitive fitness” for all employees every step of the way. Our Wellness Program fosters a welcoming, peer-oriented, inclusive environment with the resources to support our employees throughout their entire VSP career. We are committed to providing the best so you can be at your best!

Contact Human Resources for additional details.

Job Duties

*Applicants for the Pathway to Trooper program are required to submit a letter of recommendation from their high school counselor or appropriate school division representative. This letter must include academics, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and/or any employment the student has engaged in.  However, any additional information is welcomed if requested by the student.

Experienced applicants (non-trainees) currently not employed by the state who are hired into the Dispatcher position are eligible for a $5,000 sign-on bonus upon hire with signature of a 12-month agreement. Dispatcher Trainees and transferring state employees are eligible for a $5,000 retention bonus after 10 months of successful service with the signature of a 12-month agreement at 10 months.

Classified Applicants hired into this position who are already working in a Dispatcher function are not eligible for either a sign-on bonus upon hire or a retention bonus after 10 months.

•Candidates with prior dispatching training and experience may be hired as a Dispatcher (Emergency Coordinator II), and the salary offered will be commensurate with experience.

•Candidates with limited experience are hired as a Dispatcher Trainee (Emergency Coordinator I - pay-band 3, $39,247). After satisfactory completion of the Dispatcher Trainee Training Curriculum, employe