Protective Services Trainee (Inspection And Enforcement)

Protective Services Trainee (Inspection And Enforcement)

Recruitment #261103-0301PS-001

Location Wethersfield, CT

Date Opened 11/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $53,684 - $67,755/year New State employees start at the minimum of salary range Job Type Open to the Public Close Date 12/31/2026 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

Are you an aspiring law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut looking to join the Department of Motor Vehicles?

If so, we want you to join our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is seeking to hire several qualified applicants for the position of Protective Services Trainee (Inspection and Enforcement).

Upon successful completion of academy training field training, probationary requirements, and required certification, candidates will be eligible for appointment to Motor Vehicle Inspector within the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division (CVSD). This is a specialized law enforcement career. DMV Inspectors are sworn Connecticut police officers with statewide authority and are assigned to motor vehicle, commercial vehicle, inspection, investigation, and roadway safety enforcement duties.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY DIVISION

DMV's Commercial Vehicle Safety Division (CVSD) is a specialized law enforcement division within DMV. CVSD is responsible for enforcing state and federal motor vehicle and commercial vehicle safety laws throughout Connecticut.

Motor Vehicle Inspectors work in a unique law enforcement environment focused on roadway safety, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, consumer protection, vehicle fraud, and school transportation safety.

SPECIALIZED UNITS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Motor Vehicle Inspectors may serve in several specialized units, including:

• Patrol and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

• Inspectors conduct statewide traffic enforcement, commercial motor vehicle inspections, post-crash investigations, truck complaint enforcement, and fixed or virtual weigh station operations. Inspectors also assist state and local police agencies with commercial vehicle and motor vehicle enforcement issues.

• Dealer and Towing Investigations

• Inspectors conduct inspections and investigations involving motor vehicle dealers, repairers, towing companies, licensing compliance, consumer complaints, and fraud-related matters.

• Safety Audit Unit

• Inspectors conduct motor carrier safety audits, provide education and outreach to commercial carriers, and enforce applicable federal and state commercial vehicle regulations.

• Auto Theft and Title Fraud Investigations

• Inspectors investigate cloned VINs, fraudulent titles, stolen vehicles, and attempts to register stolen or fraudulently obtained out-of-state vehicles.

• School Bus and Student Transportation Unit

• Inspectors conduct safety inspections of school buses and student transportation vehicles throughout Connecticut to ensure compliance with safety standards.

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

For those classes in the Protective Services that require completion of both academy training and field training, the working test period shall automatically extend until completion of both the academy training and field training requirements. Those employees completing the academy training requirement shall be upgraded according to the NP-5 contract language. Upon completion of both the academy training and field training requirements the employees in such classes shall be upgraded to the target class.

• Salary upon hire: $53,684/year
• Upon completion of both the academy training and field training requirements the employees in such classes shall be upgraded to the target class (Motor Vehicle Inspector): $77,998/year

NOTE: For current State employees, compensation will be in accordance with guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Full time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday schedule *Upon completion of training academy
• First shift starts between 5:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Second shift starts between 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm

To learn more about what it takes to become a Motor Vehicle Inspector, please view the video below:

Selection Plan

Requirements:

• Applicants for this class must have reached their 21st birthday.
• Applicants must have a High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification prior to admission to the Connecticut Police Training Academy.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operators license during employment.
• During the recruitment process, applicants will be required to submit a copy of their current Motor Vehicle Operators license.
• Candidates will be required to pass the CVSA North American Safety Training (Parts A and B).

Required Testing (To be completed with submission of application):

1. CHIP Physical Ability Requirement, DMV will not be conducting a separate physical fitness assessment.

Please note: All candidates must obtain a valid CHIP Card before the close of the application period. Candidates who do not currently have a valid CHIP Card must register through Certify Fit: https://www.certifyfit.com/chip-test/.

2. CPCA Written Examination

All candidates must complete one of the three Entry Level Police Officer Written Exams using one of the three listed venues below:

1. Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) Entry-Level Police Examination

Law Enforcement Council of Connecticut (LEC) Regional Entry Examination

3. Examination South Central Criminal Justice - New Haven, CT - IOS National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory² (NCJOSI²)

An approved Entry Level Police Officer Written Examination before the close of the application period. A passing score of at least 70% is required.

DMV Police Recruit Training Program: Successful completion of all phases of the selection process means that you are eligible to be considered for final appointment as a Protective Services Trainee. If you are selected as a Protective Services Trainee, you will enter the physically and mentally demanding training program at the CT Police Academy. This program lasts approximately twenty-six (26) weeks and includes classroom instruction, practical exercises, and physical conditioning. Trainees are required to live at the Academy Monday through Friday.

After graduation from the academy program, trainees are required to complete at least twelve (12) weeks of field training and must successfully complete and maintain the certification of the federal motor carrier inspection program known as North American Standard Inspection (NASTI); this training program is for two (2) weeks which requires candidates to stay at the academy out of state, Monday - Friday.

Note to Applicants on Active Military Duty: Special accommodations may be made for applicants on active military duty during the selection process. Documentation showing out of state deployment will be required. Please contact DMVHR@ct.gov.

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Motor Vehicles this class is accountable for taking a prescribed formal academic and on the job training course in security work involving investigative and inspection techniques and procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Skills

• general intelligence;

• oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to

• follow oral and written instructions;

• evaluate emergency situations and develop effective courses of action;

• deal effectively with those contacted in the work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in traffic safety, highway patrol, or commercial enforcement activities.
• Experience in the ability to learn new law enforcement skills such as CGS (Connecticut General Statues), Investigative methods and Federal Medical Carrier Regulations.
• Experience in Communicating verbally and in writing with the public.
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States by date of appointment.
• Applicants must have a High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification prior to admission to the Connecticut Police Training Academy.
• During the period as an Inspection and Enforcement Trainee candidates will be required to complete a course of training to include completion and graduation from the Connecticut Police Training Academy program or its equivalent.
• Appointment to this class will be for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months. Provisional appointment will be made to the target class when formal training has not been completed after twelve (12) months as a Protective Services Trainee (Inspection and Enforcement). Appointment will be made to the target class after successful completion and graduation of formal training.
• Applicants in this class must have reached their 21st birthday.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operators license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic certification.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity to perform the duties of the class. A physical fitness assessment will be required of all applicants.
• A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to unpleasant situations which may cause injury and may be exposed to uncomfortable weather conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online