ALE Special Agent I - Statewide

About Us

The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.

About the Role

This is a statewide position. If you are considered for this position, you are subject to be assigned to any one of our eight (8) districts in the state. Per policy, you will have 90 days following your assignment (unless otherwise granted an extension) to establish a residence that will allow you to respond to your assigned area of responsibility within 45 minutes. For a comprehensive list of ALE districts, please visit our website at https://www.ncdps.gov/ale.

If you are located in one of the following counties (Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union), please be advised there is another Special Agent I posting open that you may apply to that may guarantee you assignment to the Concord district. You can apply to both the Statewide Special Agent I and Concord Special Agent I postings and be considered for both. You will only have to complete each step of the process one time even if you have applied for both positions.

Responsibilities

• Investigate any criminal matter; agents specialize in the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, tobacco, and gaming laws of North Carolina.
• Collection and preservation of evidence, testimony in court proceedings as necessary, and performing related work such as apprehending observed violators committing offenses.
• Conduct major criminal investigations that address community betterment initiatives that have significant positive impacts on communities.
• Collaborate with and assist federal agencies with task force assignments that address major criminal activities such as criminal enterprises and money laundering.
• Provide support during natural disasters by providing humanitarian relief and supplementing local law enforcement departments with all aspects of police duties including, but not limited to, routine patrol and responding to calls for service when necessary.

Requirements

• Be a responsible and law-abiding citizen of the United States with high moral character and personal integrity.
• Successfully complete pre-screening modified Police Officer Physical Agility Test (POPAT).
• Successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and urinalysis drug test.
• Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation including contacts with references, employers, co-workers, close personal associates, etc., and review of driving record, credit history, criminal history, and service in the military.
• Accept employment under two (2) year probationary status, which includes successful completion of the ALE Special Agent Academy, approximately two months in duration.
• Accept temporary assignments anywhere or anytime.
• Accept assignments requiring irregular hours, day or night, any day of a week or holidays.
• Accept assignments requiring undercover investigation.
• Accept assignments requiring overnight travel possibly over extended periods of time.
• Be willing to carry and use a firearm.
• Be willing to use deadly force, if warranted, to protect his or her life or the life of someone else.

Skills

• Ability to understand technologies and problem resolution techniques.
• Ability to utilize proven solutions and/or designs when solving problems.
• Ability to clearly communicate and convey technical information and promote understanding of relevant issues.
• Ability to express thoughts, ideas, and information effectively by means of oral (including non-verbal) and written communication to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to understand modern principles and methods of investigation and law enforcement.
• Ability to perform investigations, including undercover operations.
• Ability to understand tasks, accept responsibility, take initiative to plan and organize daily activities, and perform work under direct supervision.
• Ability to use firearms and tools/equipment involved in evidence collection and enforcement activities.

Management Preferences

Management prefers current North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement (BLET) Certification in good standing. BLET Certification must be awarded no later than December 31, 2026. Please note: out-of-state applicants MUST submit proof of an equivalency check with the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission at the time of their applicant package review. NC applicants currently enrolled in a BLET program will be required to provide proof of enrollment at the time of their applicant package review.

Pay

Per North Carolina General Statutes, the starting salary for sworn applicants will be $62,150.00. Per the 2026 State Teacher/Employee Pay and Local Law Enforcement Officers Bonus Bill (SB599), a yearly step increase of 6.5% will be given for the first six years of employment as follows:

• Starting - $62,150
• Year 1 - $66,190
• Year 2 - $70,492
• Year 3 - $75,074
• Year 4 - $79,953
• Year 5 - $85,150
• Year 6 - $90,685

Schedule

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). The position may require all-day travel and is considered mandatory/essential, thus does not qualify to participate in the telework program.

Benefits

• State Benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance.
• This job classification qualifies for the employee referral bonus program.

To view an example of total compensation, please click here for the NC OSHR Total Compensation Calculator.

About the Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division

ALE is a division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agents have statewide jurisdiction to investigate any criminal offense and make arrests within the State of North Carolina. ALE is the lead enforcement agency for the state's alcoholic beverage control, lottery, and tobacco laws. As such, ALE Special Agents target problem ABC-licensed and illegal establishments that serve as havens for violence, drugs, gang activity, organized crime, money laundering, and other criminal activity.

The mission of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division is to reduce crime and enhance public safety throughout the State of North Carolina. This mission is accomplished through the proactive, fair, and consistent enforcement of the state laws related to alcoholic beverage control, gambling, tobacco, controlled substances, and nuisance abatement, as well as other criminal and regulatory matters in the interest of health and public safety.