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State Trooper Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated November 6, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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4 min read

A 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper, or state police officer, is a law enforcement professional employed by a state agency. They’re responsible for enforcing traffic and criminal laws on state-regulated highways, responding to emergencies involving motorists and assisting with detours and evacuations.

State trooper duties and responsibilities

The duties of a 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper vary by jurisdiction and usually include:

  • Enforcing speed limits and other vehicular laws on state-managed highways
  • Rendering first aid to automobile accident victims
  • Providing backup for local, county and federal law enforcement agencies
  • Managing road closures during mass evacuations, severe weather and crashes
  • Investigating vehicle collisions

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State Trooper Job Description Examples

Example 1

YOU Cannot APPLY TO THIS JOB THRU[website].*

GO TO [website] to fill out an Application.



Summary Statement

Participates in Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZ P.O.S.T.) Basic Training Curriculum and other training designated by the Department of Public Safety to learn general duty police work. Performs related duties as assigned. Upon successful completion of training and certification as a peace officer by AZ P.O.S.T., the incumbent is reclassified to State Trooper. This is a competitive classification.

Essential Functions (not intended to be all inclusive)

  • Learns patrol, investigation, traffic control and safety, police methods, first aid, and community and police relations.
  • Learns federal, state, and local traffic and criminal laws.
  • Learns Department policies and procedures.
  • Learns to prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct reports.
  • Participates in a physical fitness program to develop the physical skills necessary for the job.
  • Learns proper work habits, appearance, and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:

English grammar and composition.

Skill in:

The operation of a vehicle.

Ability to:

  • Analyze situations or information and adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action.
  • Maintain composure and work effectively under highly stressful conditions.
  • Read and understand complex written information.
  • Observe and recollect details.
  • Understand and follow oral directions.
  • Work independently.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Work any hours including weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, call-outs, and overtime.
  • Perform work for extended periods of time in environments of extreme heat or cold, or wet conditions.
  • Use specialized protective equipment or clothing.
  • Perform the physical requirements of the work (e.g., run and/or jump over rough terrain and obstacles; physically take custody of persons; subdue and apprehend combative suspects; safely search persons and places; push or pull heavy objects and apply force with upper and lower body; reach, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and turn, etc.).
  • Perform basic mathematical and statistical calculations.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Operate a computer to input and retrieve information.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be a U.S. citizen and a high school graduate or have a GED. Must be at least 21 years of age at the completion of AZ P.O.S.T. BASIC Training Curriculum*. *By the starting date, must be a resident of the State of Arizona and possess a valid Arizona driver license.

Employees who are hired into the classification prior to the start of the training academy will be placed at Step 1 of the salary range. All employees in the classification will be placed at Step 2 of the salary range while actively assigned to the training academy.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Other Necessary Requirements

Position Agreements:
Department of Public Safety sworn personnel are stationed throughout Arizona with some individuals living in Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado. State Troopers may be assigned to any of these positions.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $64,117.66 per year

Benefits:
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
Schedule:
  • Day shift
  • Evening shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • Night shift
  • Overnight shift
  • Weekends as Location: On the road

Example 2

VISIT [website] AND Submit YOUR Application!!

Minimum Qualifications

US Citizen; 21-39 years of age; 60 college credits or 30 college credits with 2 years of active duty military service or 2 years as a Delaware certified police officer or out of state Trooper; No felony conduct; Good driving record and be Physically fit.

Job Elements

To perform the duties of State Trooper, an applicant must demonstrate good judgment, thoroughness, conscientiousness, common sense, motivation, and enthusiasm for the job. Troopers must be dependable and willing to get involved in order to help deal with the problems of today s society. Troopers must be able to assume responsibility, make decisions often under pressure, work without supervision, follow orders, function in physical danger, act under pressure, communicate well, and combine physical and mental resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

A Delaware State Trooper performs the following duties of patrol, investigation, troop duties, maintenance activities, and special assignments:
  • Patrol duties involve directing traffic, assisting lost, stranded or disabled motorists, approaching motorists on routine or non-routine violations, making arrests, processing prisoners, controlling crowds, and supporting other troopers in stressful situations. Other patrol duties involve inspecting and safeguarding property, responding to bank alarms, chasing violators on foot, and checking buildings at night for burglaries. Investigative duties include interviewing complainants and witnesses, interrogating suspects, aiding injured people, handling motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes, responding to complaints involving vicious animals, using deadly force, and executing search and seizure warrants, as well as arrest warrants.
  • Troopers are required to perform troop duties such as sending and receiving radio, phone and electronic messages; maintaining troop records, responding to telephone inquires concerning such things as road conditions, locations, and the law; and preparing written memoranda and reports.
  • Troopers must maintain a good personal appearance and physical condition. Troopers are tested annually throughout their career to ensure they maintain sufficient aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, coordination, flexibility, percentage of body fat, and sufficient levels of neurological senses to safety and effectively perform job functions. Other responsibilities include proper care of division equipment, uniforms, and vehicles; and maintaining a clean and orderly troop.
  • Assignments are varied and may include testifying in court, securing major disaster areas, participating in community and public relations programs, escorting dignitaries, conducting speeches or lectures, training recruits and or counseling youth. Scheduling includes working weekends, holidays, overtime, and in inclement weather. Assignments may be physically demanding including shift work. Patrol officers normally work a 12-hour rotating shift, working a maximum of 3 consecutive days. Troopers are frequently required to either substantially delay or forego regular meals.

The duties of a trooper may become unpredictably hazardous and require acute use of senses to discern various stimuli of danger. Troopers typically operate alone, and backup assistance is frequently not immediately available. Troopers are often required, without preparation, to run long distances, traverse rough terrain quickly, climb obstacles, remove injured or unconscious people from harm s way, engage in physical confrontations using offensive and defensive tactics to subdue combative individuals, and to effect forceful arrests.

Salary/Benefits
  • Competitive salary During training over $57,000.00. After training over, $69,000.00.
  • Excellent pension plan (Mandatory retirement at 55, the option to retire at 20 years, further details are available upon request or should be referred to the Pension Office and/or their website)
  • 12-hour shifts with option of standby status for court.
  • State-share health insurance.
  • Division-issued equipment and uniforms, with dry cleaning delivered to the troop.
  • Liberal vacation (6 weeks a year) and sick leave.
  • College tuition assistance.
  • Take-home car with state-of-the-art information technology after 18 months.
  • Deferred Compensation/Investment Plan.
  • Tax-deferred medical/child care program.
  • Eligible membership for employee s credit union.

Visit [website] for additional details.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,041.00 - $69,439.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Retirement plan
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance
Schedule:
  • 12 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Holidays
  • Monday to Friday
  • Night shift
  • On call
  • Overtime
  • Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Dover, DE 19901: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:
  • Military: 1 year (Preferred)
  • Leadership: 1 year Location: One location

Example 3

We are now accepting applications for the 2023 New York State Trooper Entrance Examination. Go to [website] and click Apply Now!

The New York State Police is a full-service police agency. They are the primary law enforcement officers in many regions across the state handling everything from traditional patrol duties to highly specialized investigations. They respond and investigate all types of cases including, but not limited, to domestic incidents, missing children, assaults, burglaries, robberies and homicides. Trooper must be prepared to deal with a never-ending variety of situations.

There are promotional opportunities and a variety of specialty units, including canine handler, dive team, aviation, and SORT (SWAT).

The New York State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary

During academy training the starting salary is $59,612, increasing to $84,331 after one year.

Benefits

As trooper you will receive paid vacation, sick and personal time; health, dental and optical insurance coverage; and excellent retirement benefits.

APPLY NOW:[website]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $59,612.00 per year



Education:
  • High school or equivalent Location: In person

Example 4

Summary Statement
NOTE: This posting is for applicants who wish to test in Holbrook, Arizona. Hires can be placed throughout the state of Arizona. Please apply to the job posting nearest to your location Phoenix, Yuma, Sierra Vista, Kingman or Holbrook.
This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for current and future Cadet State Trooper vacancies statewide. Cadet State Troopers participate in Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZ P.O.S.T.) Basic Training Curriculum and other training designated by the Department of Public Safety to learn general duty police work. Performs related duties as assigned. Upon successful completion of training and certification as a peace officer by AZ P.O.S.T., the incumbent is reclassified to State Trooper. This is a competitive classification.

As a reminder, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) places Troopers in various locations throughout the State, depending upon the needs of the Department. You must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the State if you are offered a position as a State Trooper. Duty assignments will not be made until after successful completion of training and certification as a peace officer by AZ P.O.S.T.
*
Testing Location - White Cliffs Middle School - 3550 Prospector St, Kingman, AZ*
Test date - Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 7:00AM
Candidates successfully completing all portions of the testing process will be placed on an 18-month eligibility list which will be used to fill vacancies in future academies.

Essential Functions (not intended to be all inclusive)

1. Learns patrol, investigation, traffic control and safety, police methods, first aid, and community and police relations.
2. Learns federal, state, and local traffic and criminal laws.
3. Learns Department policies and procedures.
4. Learns to prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct reports.
5. Participates in a physical fitness program to develop the physical skills necessary for the job.
6. Learns proper work habits, appearance, and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
Knowledge of:

1. English grammar and composition.

Skill in:

1. the operation of a vehicle.

Ability to:

1. analyze situations or information and adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action.
2. maintain composure and work effectively under highly stressful conditions.
3. read and understand complex written information.
4. observe and recollect details.
5. understand and follow oral directions.
6. work independently.
7. establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
8. work any hours including weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, call-outs and overtime.
9. perform work for extended periods of time in environments of extreme heat or cold, or wet conditions.
10. use specialized protective equipment or clothing.
11. perform the physical requirements of the work (e.g., run and/or jump over rough terrain and obstacles; physically take custody of persons; subdue and apprehend combative suspects; safely search persons and places; push or pull heavy objects and apply force with upper and lower body; reach, bend, stoop, kneel, twist and turn, etc.)
12. perform basic mathematics and statistical calculations.
13. communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
14. operate a computer to input and retrieve information.

Minimum Qualifications
Must be a U.S. citizen and a high school graduate or have a GED. Must be at least 21 years of age at the completion of AZ P.O.S.T. BASIC Training Curriculum*. *By the starting date, must be a resident of the state of Arizona and possess a valid Arizona driver license.

Employees who are hired into the classification prior to the start of the training academy will be placed at step 1 of the salary range. All employees in the classification will be placed at step 2 of the salary range while actively assigned to the training academy.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Type: $48,732.32 - $55,754.40 per year
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

What does a 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper do?

State troopers promote traffic safety and compliance with state and federal laws related to driving by patrolling highways from a mobile patrol unit. Also known as highway patrol officers or state highway patrol officers, state troopers have powers of arrest and may also enforce public safety laws. State troopers’ duties are assigned on a state-by-state basis, and these duties can vary significantly between states.

State trooper skills and qualifications

To be successful, a state trooper candidate must possess a number of skills and qualifications, including:

  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to multitask under stressful, potentially life-threatening conditions
  • Excellent physical conditioning
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Good judgement in emergency situations
  • Willingness to work nontraditional hours, including nights, weekends and holidays
  • Up-to-date knowledge of state and federal laws related to traffic and criminal offences

State trooper experience requirements

There are generally no experience requirements in a 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper job description as training is provided through the state’s police academy. Applicants seeking 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper careers must be free of any prior criminal or civil convictions that would preclude them from licensing as a law enforcement officer. It’s common for state troopers to have a military background.

State trooper education and training requirements

State troopers are law enforcement professionals with powers of arrest who need to meet minimum age, education and training requirements.

  • The minimum age of a 1998104police officer4.14law enforcement3.56state trooper2.29police1.8apprentice1.78101211357133000.0067017.46104000.00YEARLY1419972025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05state trooper is 21
  • State troopers must have either a high school diploma or GED
  • State troopers must graduate from the hiring state’s police academy
  • State troopers carry firearms in the course of their duties, so they must be able to legally obtain and own handguns and rifles and complete appropriate training
  • State trooper applicants must be able to successfully pass background checks and testing to determine their suitability for a career in law enforcement

Job description samples for similar positions

There are a number of similar positions within law enforcement, including police officer, corrections officer, security officer and park warden. Reviewing the job description samples for these positions can be helpful when creating your state trooper job description.

Job description FAQs

What’s the difference between police officers and state troopers?

The main difference between police officers and state troopers is that in most states, state troopers are solely responsible for enforcing traffic laws on state-controlled roads and highways. By comparison, the scope of enforcement duties for police officers is much broader although their jurisdiction is generally limited to a specific town, city or county. Both state troopers and police officers are granted powers of arrest, carry firearms and must be willing to work any shift.

What qualities make a good state trooper?

A good state trooper is hard-working, ethical and dedicated to serving the public. Other desirable qualities include attention to detail, the ability to assume a leadership role in stressful, unpredictable situations and a willingness to work in all weather conditions on a 24/7 basis.

How can you make your state trooper job description stand out?

Including the salary range along with any benefits can help make your state trooper job description stand out. You may also want to highlight any opportunities for growth or advancement within the position as well as the use of innovative technologies during the course of the job to attract applicants seeking long-term state trooper careers.

What should you look for in a state trooper resume?

Applicants seeking state trooper careers should have resumes that are clear, concise and free of any errors as written communication skills are key to the success of a state trooper. Candidates with prior experience in law enforcement or the military are often sought after as these individuals have demonstrated their ability to follow the chain of command while adhering to strict rules.

Job Description Best Practices
Optimize your new and existing job descriptions to reach more candidates
Get the Guide

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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