Criminal Justice Training Instructor I (DT)

State of South Carolina; Belmont Estates (SC); On-site; USD 66,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

Retirement plan

Job summary

South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy seeks an instructor to deliver professional classroom and hands-on training in defensive tactics and physical training across BLE, Detention, and Advanced curricula. Responsibilities include developing materials, updating manuals, coordinating programs, and enforcing safety in accordance with SCCJA rules.

Applicants should have a high school diploma with 8+ years of law enforcement experience or higher degrees with related experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or higher with 8+ years of law enforcement experience, or
• Associate degree with 6+ years of experience, or
• Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of experience and two years of road experience.
• Current SC Class 1 LEO or eligibility to become SC LEO within 1 year of hire.
• Must obtain DT, BID, GD and OC instructor certifications within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Instructs in BLE, Detention, Advanced and staff in-service training.
• Delivers classroom and hands-on instruction in defensive tactics and physical training.
• Develops and updates training aids, materials and manuals.
• Reviews Use of Force cases and can serve as expert witness on request.
• Enforces safety and discipline per SCCJA policies and procedures.
• Assists with curriculum development, validation, testing and scheduling.

Skills

Defensive tactics

Use of force

Handcuffing/searching

Team control tactics

Weapon defense

Ground defense

Baton tactics

OC spray

Curriculum development

Public speaking/training

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree

SC Class 1 LEO certification

LEO certification in another jurisdiction

Tools

None

Job description

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (Academy), Defensive Tactics/Physical Training (DT/PT) Unit, is currently seeking an instructor. The instructor will function under general supervision and be responsible for professionally working with other instructors in the proficiency and academic training of students/recruits within assigned areas, to include Basic Law Enforcement (BLE), Detention, Advanced, and staff in-service. Duties include the following:

Conduct professional classroom and hands‑on/proficiency instruction in assigned areas of responsibility within the Basic Law, Advanced, and Basic Jail training curriculum, particularly in the area of defensive tactics and physical training, to include Use of Force, Handcuffing/Searching, Control Techniques, Weapon Defense, Striking & Close Quarter Control, Team Control Tactics, Baton Tactics, Weapon Retention, OC Spray, and Ground Defense.

Communicate effectively. Prepare and update student training aids, materials, and manuals. Coordinates existing programs in assigned areas of responsibility. Assist as necessary with scheduling, development, and implementation of all specific curriculum and validation processes, including, but not limited to, job‑task analysis, testing, etc.

Enforce student discipline and adhere to safety procedures in accordance with SCCJA gym rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Assist with review of officer "Use of Force" cases and act as an expert witness in rendering official SCCJA opinions (at the director's or designee's request).

Perform law enforcement duties/functions during times of critical incidents, whether natural or man‑made crisis events requiring law enforcement response, to include standby and assistance with hurricane duty, "ride‑alongs," and assisting other law enforcement agencies as needed.

Minimum requirements:

• High school diploma and eight (8) years of law enforcement experience or
• Associate degree and six (6) years of law enforcement experience or
• Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of law enforcement experience and
• Experience must include two (2) years of road experience and
• Currently certified S.C. Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer or
• Currently certified LEO in another *** jurisdiction with full powers of arrest with the ability to become an S.C. LEO within one year of hire.

(***) Upload with your application a training transcript from the POST or certifying body.

Additional requirements:

Must obtain Defensive Tactics Instructor (DT), Basic Instructor Development (BID), Ground Defense (GD), and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Instructor certifications within six (6) months of hire.

We prefer that you currently possess the following:

• Current BID, GD, and OC Instructor certifications.
• Two (2) years of experience writing lesson plans and/or developing training material.
• Currently certified Defensive Tactics (DT) Instructor

About You:

• Extensive knowledge of defensive tactics, policing tactics/procedures, and Academy physical fitness programs.
• Able to develop training material and present instruction (academic & proficiency) in a professional and comprehensive manner (classroom & gym).
• Responsible for controlling all training delivery in assigned areas of instruction. Adheres to safety and testing procedures.
• Able to enforce student discipline in a fair but firm manner.
• Maintains good (above average) physical condition to facilitate demonstration and presentation of defensive tactics, physical training, and police tactics.
• Able to work effectively under general/limited supervision using individual discretion and prudent judgment.
• Works in a professional manner with others in a team environment to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Adheres to the chain of command and agency policy/procedures.
• Manages time effectively, completes administrative work, meets deadlines, problem‑solves, and accurately completes assignments.
• Available for occasional field training or assisting other agencies requiring after‑hours, overnight, and/or weekend duty.

About the Academy:

• The S.C. Criminal Justice Academy is the starting point for all SC law enforcement. We are responsible for one of the most important jobs in the state—training those who will serve the citizens of South Carolina during their time of distress, time of worry, and time of hurt.
• It takes a team of dedicated people to make sure our Academy is a premier training facility. To do this, we need reliable and conscientious workers who want to be employed by an agency that offers meaningful and challenging work with an appropriate work‑life, home‑life balance as well as excellent state government benefits.
• We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, including pregnancy & childbirth (or related medical conditions), age (over 40), or disability.
• South Carolina is making our vegetans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

We are the face of law enforcement.

Join us!

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy offers an exceptional benefits package for full‑time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long‑term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement Program

Salary:

• The hiring salary is commensurate with full‑time LEO instructional experience: $66,300 - $72,094.