Colorado State Patrol - Port of Entry Officer Intern

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

Fort Collins, Loma, Trinidad & Cortez Vacancies Only: The primary duties of this position are located within 30 miles of the State border; therefore, this position is exempt from the residency requirements. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligible list for Colorado statewide. Current vacancy locations (subject to change): Ft Collins, Ft Morgan, Limon, Lamar, Trinidad, Loma, Dumont, Cortez & Monument. The greatest demand for job placement are at locations for Ft. Collins, Limon & Loma.

All new hires will attend Port of Entry eleven (11) week Academy that is scheduled for February 15, 2027 . If you have applied for this position in the last year, you must reapply.

Please watch the Port of Entry Recruiting Video An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

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, Service

The 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: Port of Entry Intern Hiring Range: $25.93/$53,940.00/year Full Salary Range: $4,495.00 - $7,190.00/month; $53,940.00 - $86,280.00/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.

About the Work Unit The Port of Entry exists to ensure the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles in the State of Colorado by improving the safety and security of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Port of Entry Officers at all levels are statutory peace officers as defined by Colorado Revised Statute §§ 16-2.5-115. The unit works proactively with all stakeholders to reduce commercial motor vehicle accidents and preserve the highway infrastructure through the enforcement of state and federal CMV safety laws and regulations. The unit assists in establishing and maintaining effective commercial vehicle operating standards, enforcement practices, strategies, and penalties that provide the basis for uniformity in the enforcement community and compatibility with all stakeholders.

Work Environment

• Work Environment 100% In-person position Work unit core business hours Monday-Friday 6am-10pm (0600-2200).

As a cadet at the POE Academy (11 weeks), core business hours 7am - 5pm. (0700-1700).

POE Officers routinely use a pull bar to slide 1000-lb scales. Assuming a low friction coefficient and a reasonable pull bar angle, you might only need to exert 10-20% of the object's weight to initiate movement, which would be roughly 100-200 pounds in this scenario. Officers also routinely lift 35-pound hand-held scales, moving them multiple times when weighing vehicles on the mobile unit.

About the Job Port of Entry Officers at all levels are statutory peace officers as defined by Colorado Revised Statute §§ 16-2.5-115. Port of Entry positions protect life, property, and the environment in the state of Colorado. These positions achieve these goals by enforcing state and adopted Federal statutes, rules, and regulations. Additionally, this position educates others regarding safe practices and partners with stakeholders to obtain voluntary compliance and also collects taxes and license fees. When applicable, this position will testify during judicial proceedings. Interns work at a facility which may operate 24 hours a day, as determined to be necessary by the Chief of the Colorado State Patrol.

Training

Officer Cadets receive classroom and field training designed to familiarize them with the duties of an officer. Under the supervision of instructors, this position participates in formal classroom training and instruction in interpretation and application of applicable sections of the Colorado revised statutes, the code of Colorado regulations, and the code of federal regulations; federal motor carrier safety regulations; drug and alcohol recognition, hazardous materials, traffic direction, discretionary decision making, and ethics. Officer Cadets will receive fitness training and defensive tactics training. After classroom training at the academy, Cadets will undergo field training with a field training officer.

Review and Investigations

Cadets review documents and investigate commercial vehicles, drivers, and loads at fixed and mobile ports of entry. This process includes weighing vehicles through the use of fixed or portable scales, visual inspection of physical dimensions (height, length, width, etc.,) and review of required documents including vehicle registrations, fuel permits, interstate and intrastate authorities, hazardous material permits, extra-legal permits, shipping papers and commercial driver licenses. Job duties will be performed at both fixed and mobile ports of entry.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Safety Inspection Cadets conduct Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) safety inspections in accordance with international standards and regulations. CVSA inspections may be level I through VI, and as applicable, may include scrutiny of the driver’s documents, such as logbooks, physical inspection of safety-critical vehicle components, and inspection to ensure conformity with nuclear transportation regulations. Job duties will be performed at both fixed and mobile ports of entry.

Enforcement and Traffic Control Cadets will issue citations, issue permits, and collect fees when required to bring drivers or vehicles into compliance with law, rule, or regulation. Cadets will also detain and restrain persons and vehicles when appropriate, such as when an out of service condition is detected. Job duties will be performed at both fixed and mobile ports of entry.

Traffic direction or control is required at both fixed and mobile Ports of Entry. Additionally, Cadets may be tasked with traffic control at special events, traffic crashes, natural disasters, or when other hazardous conditions on roadways may affect the orderly flow of traffic. Cadets will perform traffic control duties using electronic signs, as well as uniformed hand signals and gestures, in accordance with policy.

Agency Representation and Other Duties as Assigned In addition to representing the agency in the performance of their duties, this position will testify in court in support of penalty assessments, summons, and other judicial proceedings as an official representative of the state. They will attend local meetings as an official representative of the Port of Entry. Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet the following for consideration: Requires State of Colorado residency at time of application. Must be 18 years of age or older. Fort Collins, Loma, Trinidad & Cortez Vacancies Only: Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents within 30 miles of the Colorado State border. When appointed, the applicant must relocate to Colorado.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Current valid Colorado driver's license at time of hire or must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 30-days of hire.

• Ability to attend and successfully complete an intensive CSP Port of Entry Academy training. The Port of Entry academy is a paid eleven-week training academy that is located in Golden, CO. After successful completion and graduation from the training academy, Interns report to their assigned work locations.

• Please see additional information about the Port of Entry: • https://csp.colorado.gov/port-of-entry-academy-information

• https://csp.colorado.gov/employment/port-of-entry-officers

• Applicants must be available to work 24/7 as needed. This includes weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and must be able to work in all weather conditions.

• This position includes physical demands that include: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, hearing and vision. Exerting up to 50 lbs. occasionally, and/or up to 10-20 lbs. of force frequently.

• Applicants must be willing to be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, fingerprint based criminal history search, a polygraph exam, drug and medical clearance.

• The background investigation is based on the following criteria, including but not limited to: driving history, criminal behavior/history, alcohol use/behavior, drug use/behavior, and integrity. • If you omit any material fact on your application, testing materials, or during the background interview or polygraph, you may be disqualified.

• If any disqualifying information is discovered at any stage of the selection process, you may be removed from consideration.

• If you fail to follow instructions during the polygraph interview and countermeasures are detected, you may be removed from the process.

• Applicants must be able to meet and maintain Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry appearance standards which includes body markings, body modifications, jewelry, piercings, cosmetics, and hair in accordance with the Colorado State Patrol Personal Appearance policy(Download PDF reader) upon employment; at time of appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Speech clarity -talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Eagerness and capacity to learn.
• Working with others rather than alone and being personally connected with others on the job.
• Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Self-control- maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Cooperation- being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Integrity- being honest and ethical.
• High School Diploma, GED or graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's or higher-level degree.

Disqualifying factors Integrity To be disqualified upon admission or confirmation of: • Theft or taken without permission of items, goods, and/or money (combined) of over $300 from an employer within the past 3 years for personal gain.

• Soliciting, offering, paying, or accepting a bribe as defined criminally in CRS (government official)

To be considered under the totality of circumstances for disqualification by the appointing authority based on the circumstances and information.

• False, fabricated, incomplete, or intentionally omitted information that affects the candidate's application for consideration.

Drug Behavior To be disqualified upon admission or confirmation of:

• Any use, purchase, possession, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs, except for marijuana, within the past 5 years.
• Any illegal use, purchase, distribution, or manufacture of a controlled schedule I, II, or III drugs (as defined in C.R.S. 18-18-102) within the last 5 years.
• Use of any illegal drug, on or off duty, while employed as a law enforcement officer.
• Refusal to agree to submit to previous employers' drug screening or drug testing as an employee within the past 5 years.

To be considered under the totality of circumstances for disqualification by the appointing authority based on the circumstances and information.• Any illegal use, purchase, distribution, cultivation, or possession of marijuana within the last 12 months.

• Any illegal and/or legal use or consumption of marijuana or its products within the last 12 months.
• Use or possession of illegal drugs beyond 5 years, the appointing authority should consider the frequency of the behavior, the quantity of the drugs involved, and the type of drug.
• The circumstances and frequency surrounding the illegal use of a prescription-controlled schedule I, II, or III drugs (as defined in C.R.S. 18-18-102) within the last 5 years.

Alcohol Behavior To be disqualified upon admission or confirmation of: • Unauthorized consumption of an alcoholic beverage while on "patrol" as a law enforcement officer.

• Refusal to agree to submit to a previous employer alcohol testing as an employee within the past 5 years.

Criminal Behavior To be disqualified upon admission or confirmation of:• Any felony conviction

• Any domestic violence conviction
• Certain misdemeanor criminal convictions, those defined by P.O.S.T. as listed at http://www.colorado.gov/post/decertifying-misdeameanors

To be considered under the totality of circumstances for disqualification by the appointing authority based on the circumstances and information.

• Any incident of misdemeanor shoplifting or accessory to shoplifting, whether charged or not, within the past 3 years.
• The circumstances and frequency of incident of a crime against a person, whether charged or not, within the past 3 years.

Driving History To be disqualified upon admission or confirmation of:• Any DUI, DWAI, DUID conviction within the past 3 years

• Any license suspension/revocation within the last 2 years not including FRA suspension.
• Any hit and run accident with damage to another party or injury, within the last 3 years whether reported or not.
• Any incident of eluding or attempting to elude an emergency vehicle within the last 3 years whether charged or not.

To be considered under the totality of circumstances for disqualification by the appointing authority based on the circumstances and information.

• Any license suspension/revocation within the last 5 years including FRA suspension.
• The circumstances and frequency of incident of a crime against a person, whether caught or not within the past 3 years.
• The circumstances and frequency of 3 or more convictions of moving traffic violations within the past 12 months and/or 5 or more convictions of moving traffic violations within the past 5 years (speeding, turning violations, following too closely, signaling violations, lane violations, right of way, etc.)

Appeal Rights As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

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: [email protected]. 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 Notices

• Applications 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.

• 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 the 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 "[email protected]" 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.

• Selection Process: After applications are screened for the Minimum Qualifications, CDPS intends to use the comparative analysis process outlined below. Pursuant to state personnel board rule, if there are 6 or few candidates who minimally qualify, said candidates may be referred directly to the Appointing Authority for a post referral assessment and/or consideration.

• Comparative Analysis Steps may include (dates are tentative and subject to change):

• Comparative Analysis Steps will include:

• Qualified applicants will move to the application review, October 6 - 7, 2026. During this stage, the answers to the supplemental questions will be numerically scored.

• The top group identified as a result of the structured application review will be invited to participate in an online skills assessment on October 8, 2026. Eskill assessment responses will be due on October 12, 2026.

• The top group of candidates will be invited to participate in virtual Interviews conducted via Sparkhire platform on October 14, 2026. Interview recording will be due on October 20, 2026.

• Conditional offers (pre-employment screening) entails: Background Investigation, Polygraph, Drug Screen, Medical Clearance, Driving Record & Fingerprints, will be issued upon conclusion of Sparkhire interviews.

• Final interviews will take place the week of January 4, 2027 in person.