Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer Trainee

About the Department

As a Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer Trainee with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), you enter a training role that prepares you for meaningful fieldwork. This position builds your skills through real inspections, safety reviews, and teamwork with experienced officers. You gain the knowledge needed to enforce state and federal motor carrier safety laws. Join a respected agency and take the first step toward a career that supports safe roadways for everyone.

Position Duties

This position develops your ability to conduct safety inspections, review motor carrier operations, and support enforcement of transportation laws. You receive hands-on training that prepares you for technical tasks, documentation duties, and field activities. As a Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Traffic Direction: Direct vehicle movement, select vehicles for various inspection, and interview operators
• Safety Inspections: Review documents, inspect truck and trailer parts and equipment, and notify operators of required corrective action
• School Bus Checks: Perform safety inspections of school buses and complete required reports
• Documentation Work: Prepare and maintain reports, files, and materials for hearings
• Equipment Operation: Operate and maintain laptops, portable scales, vans, and related tools
• Law Compliance Review: Determine compliance with and enforce state and federal motor carrier safety laws

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are irregular shifts, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of mechanical experience, law enforcement-related experience, or post secondary school education; and a high school diploma or equivalency; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that includes a high school diploma or equivalency.

Special Requirement:

• You must possess a valid Pennsylvania Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

Additional Requirements:

• This position requires possession or attainment of Basic MCSAP Certification during probationary period and maintenance of Certification for tenure in job.
• This position requires possession or attainment of General Hazardous Materials Inspection Certification during probationary period and maintenance of Certification for tenure in job.
• You must obtain MCSAP Compliance Review Certification during the probationary period and maintain Certification for tenure in job.
• You must obtain active Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) certification issued by the Pennsylvania State Police within the probationary period and maintain the same for the duration of employment in this job.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements: 

• This job title has been identified as performing critical duties. Prior to placement in this job title, the selected candidate regardless of their current job, must submit a Report of Medications for screening by the State Police Medical Officer.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). 
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.  
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. 

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* 

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov