Highway Patrol Trooper

Agency: Ohio State Highway Patrol | Contact: Sherika Williams | Location: United States | Type: Permanent Full‑Time, Variable Hours | Classification: Unclassified, Exempt from Union

About the Role

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is an internationally accredited agency whose mission is to provide unbiased, professional public safety services through inclusion, collaboration, and innovation. The Patrol provides statewide traffic services to keep roadways safe, statewide emergency response and support services to the public and criminal justice community, investigation of criminal activities on state‑owned and leased property throughout Ohio, and security for the Governor and other dignitaries. As a trooper you will enforce traffic laws, investigate crashes and criminal incidents within statutory jurisdiction, and may perform specialized law‑enforcement functions as assigned. Community outreach — including school safety visits, local event participation, and educational programs on topics such as distracted driving — is a vital part of the role. After two years as a road trooper, opportunities exist to join specialty sections such as Aviation, Capitol Operations, Crash Reconstruction, Criminal Patrol, Executive Protection, Motorcycle Unit, Plain Clothes Investigator, Special Response Team, Public Information Officer, K9 Handler, and Academy Instructor.

Responsibilities

• Enforce traffic laws and investigate crashes and criminal incidents within statutory jurisdiction
• Serve as first responder at crash scenes
• Intercept illegal drugs traveling on Ohio roadways
• Conduct traffic stops and provide assistance to motorists in need
• Perform community outreach: school safety visits, local event participation, educational programs (e.g., distracted driving)
• After two years, eligibility to join specialty sections (Aviation, Capitol Operations, Crash Reconstruction, Criminal Patrol, Executive Protection, Motorcycle Unit, Plain Clothes Investigator, Special Response Team, Public Information Officer, K9 Handler, Academy Instructor, etc.)

Qualifications

• United States citizen
• 20 to 39 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license (Ohio residency must be established prior to commission)

Possible disqualifiers:

• Recent use of any drug of abuse not prescribed by a physician; recent marijuana use
• Ever sold or established a pattern of abuse of any felony drug of abuse
• Pleaded guilty/no contest to, or convicted of, DUI (alcohol and/or drugs) within the past five years, or more than one DUI charge ever
• Currently in pretrial process for any criminal charge other than a traffic violation
• Currently have six or more points on a driving record in any jurisdiction
• Ever convicted of or pleaded guilty/no contest to aggravated vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular assault
• Failed to meet child‑support statutes or court orders for reasons other than inability to pay
• Ever been an instigator in any act covered under Chapter 2907 (Sex Offenses) of the Ohio Revised Code
• Ever convicted of domestic violence or a domestic‑violence‑related offense

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period
• Paid time off: vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster‑care leave
• Education and development opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, etc.)
• Public retirement systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility depends on multiple factors; the agency contact can provide specifics for this position.

Pay & Schedule

• Compensation: $34.22 per hour
• Schedule: Permanent full‑time, variable hours