CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINER 4 (Use of Force/Control Defensive Tactics Program)

State of Washington; Burien (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission seeks an experienced Criminal Justice Trainer 4 in Advanced Use of Force/Control Defensive Tactics (UOF/CDT). This role leads instruction, mentors instructors, and guides curriculum to reflect current laws and safety standards.

The position requires coordinating statewide training, ensuring compliance with RCWs and WACs, and providing expert recommendations on facilities and equipment to support high-quality instruction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field.
• Five years of experience as certified law enforcement or corrections professional.
• Three or more years of experience training criminal justice professionals.
• Two years of supervisory experience and knowledge of effective supervision and management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in UOF/CDT training and lead trainer for WSCJTC instructors.
• Deliver and oversee training delivery for recruits and incumbents.
• Facilitate statewide advanced training and train-the-trainer courses in UOF/CDT.
• Ensure staff stay current on RCWs, policy, and procedures.
• Coordinate curriculum updates and ensure safety and compliance across programs.
• Lead and mentor subordinate instructors and monitor performance.

Skills

Law enforcement

Training

Leadership

Public speaking

Curriculum development

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The duty station for this position is in King County. The incumbent will receive 5% premium pay in addition to the salary listed above.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) is seeking an experienced law enforcement training professional to serve as a Criminal Justice Trainer 4 and subject matter expert in Advanced Use of Force/Control Defensive Tactics (UOF/CDT). This position provides advanced-level instruction and leadership within the UOF/CDT program, including planning and delivering training, evaluating students, and ensuring instruction follows established curriculum, industry best practices, and reflects current legal requirements and safety standards.

As a lead trainer and supervisor, you will provide coaching and guidance to Criminal Justice Trainer 2 and 3 positions, helping strengthen instructor effectiveness and promote consistent, high-quality training. You will also provide expert recommendations regarding UOF/CDT training facilities, equipment, and practices to support safe and effective instruction.

THE BENEFITS:

WSCJTC offers outstanding benefits, choice of state retirement programs including a defined benefit pension plan, advancement opportunities, and flexible/compressed work schedules.

At the WSCJTC, we value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (include but are not limited to):

• Serve as a subject matter expert in UOF/CDT training and as a key member of the train the trainer cadre for WSCJTC certified UOF/CDT trainers.
• Deliver and oversee training delivery by other instructors for criminal justice recruits and incumbent officer students.
• Facilitate advanced training and/or train the trainer courses statewide for UOF/CDT instructors.
• Ensure subordinate UOF/CDT staff possess accurate information and remain current on related RCWs, model use of force policy, and WSCJTC policy and procedures.
• Collaborate with Criminal Justice Trainer 3 position, BLEA instructors, and external agency partners to share student performance challenges, recommendations for remedial training, and/or additional training support with the subject's home agency.
• Ensure additional or remedial training is provided to BLEA students and documented according to student record requirements through delegation and audit of records, as needed.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate data regarding program specific tools, techniques, and existing training for risk analysis, resource considerations, and future training drafts, modifications, or edits to curriculum.
• Propose drafts, modifications, and edits to curriculum, policy, and/or program requirements for review and approval in accordance with RCW, WAC, and agency policy.
• Serve as project lead coordinating timeline and milestones, assigning tasks and responsibilities to others. Tracks and monitors deliverables and prepares reports, as necessary.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, inspiration, and influence toward subordinate positions within the chain of command to provide others with the ability to learn and grow.
• Monitor and evaluate instruction provided by subordinate positions within the chain of command ensuring compliance with WSCJTC curriculum, policy and procedures.
• Supervise Criminal Justice 2 and 3 positions within the UOF/CDT program.
• Set expectations, provide direction and guidance when necessary, and ensure subordinates are adequately equipped and trained to perform their assigned duties to agency standards.
• Ensure proper performance management in accordance with state rules. Understand requirements and duties covered in current CJT positions, review and update position descriptions, as required, and perform meaningful evaluations for staff as required.
• Coordinate instructor coverage for the instructional units. Ensure appropriate student-to-instructor ratios are maintained or modified as necessary to comply with best practices.
• Determine, document, and schedule blocks of instruction appropriate to instructor rations in accordance with proper student to instructor ratios. Ratios differ by type of instruction, ex. classroom instruction does not require 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio where other high-risk blocks such as weapon retention, choke defense, wall drills might require a higher instructor ratio based of student’s experience, understanding, and mastery of the material being taught.
• Proactively emphasize the importance of safety procedures in the training environment and ensure subordinates do the same.
• Oversee safety monitoring is conducted ensuring protocols are adhered to by students, instructors and staff.
• Provide recommendations to enhance health and safety for students, instructors, and staff.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert, ensuring the basic and advanced course curriculum meets industry best practice standards for safety, tactics, and decision making based on RCW/WAC, and the AG Use of Force Model policy.
• Lead UOF/CDT curriculum update committees as needed to seek information from external partners (WSCJTC certified instructors) on curriculum as best practices evolve and legal mandates are created.
• Monitor best practices, updates to RCWs and WACs to ensure curriculum is current, legally defensible, and scientifically valid.
• Evaluate curriculum change proposals to ensure they align with training at the basic level for BLEA and are in keeping with policy and procedure and risk mitigation strategies. Example weigh injury considerations for instructors, students, and staff.
• Ensure that staff and recruit injuries are reported and documented using our agency injury report process.
• Ensure that injury notifications are made following the agency injury reporting process.
• Maintain relevance in training regarding UOF/CDT and best practices.
• Maintain subject-matter expertise in current laws, UOF model policy, and regulations.
• Coordinate with the internal agency staff and positions to order and maintain an adequate inventory of program equipment and supplies to facilitate BLEA and advanced training courses.
• Maintain records in accordance with the State of Washington and agency-specific retention schedules including organized records of program incidents, records, and memos for the program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, sociology, psychology, adult education, forensics, degree plan specific to the course(s) taught, or other similar degree plans.

AND Five years of experience as a certified law enforcement or corrections professional.

- OR -

Seven years of experience as a certified law enforcement or corrections professional.

AND Three or more years of experience training criminal justice professionals as a WSCJTC Criminal Justice Trainer 2 or higher or in a full-time training assignment within a criminal justice agency.

AND Two years of supervisory experience and knowledge of the principles of effective supervision and management.

AS WELL AS:

• Experience as a trainer of certified criminal justice personnel (law enforcement, corrections) specifically in control and defensive tactics, de-escalation, or patrol tactics.
• Current Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission CDT Instructor Certification or similar (WA state certification, certification from another state recognized Law Enforcement instructor, or high-level martial combative certification) with the ability to pass agency-specific certification within one month of hire.
• At least two years of government first-level supervisor experience (certified law enforcement, corrections, or equivalent military experience).
• At least three years of experience serving as a subject matter expert and/or lead on project management and curriculum development teams.
• At least three years of experience effectively public speaking and providing high quality and effective written communication for various audiences.
• Understanding of adult teaching and learning methods.
• No sustained use of force complaints.
• Complaints must be satisfactorily explained.
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal and strong customer service skills necessary to establish and foster effective working relationships with internal and external partners and the public.
• Quality problem-solving skills include analysis and strategy.
• Strong work ethic, self-directed, and able to work in a team-teaching environment.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting and often competing priorities.
• Adherence to agency's vision, mission, and values.
• Ability to model behaviors required by students.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of and/or experience with WSCJTC protocols and chain of command.
• Recent experience with Basic Law Enforcement Academy training.
• WSCJTC related Instructor level courses.
• Two years' experience in implementing training programs, including hands-on training, specific to certified law enforcement and/or certified corrections personnel (FTO/PTO experience meets this requirement).
• Skills for basic computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Public relations experience.

Contact Us:

If you have questions, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

WSCJTC is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed recruiter. WSCJTC does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/.