Law Enforcement Curriculum Specialist

Title: Law Enforcement Curriculum Specialist

State Role Title: Trainer & Instructor III      

Hiring Range: The anticipated starting salary range is $70,000 to $77,000.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept of Criminal Justice Svcs

Location: Dept of Criminal Justice Serv.

Agency Website: www.dcjs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES ADVERTISEMENT
ROLE TITLE: Trainer & Instructor III      
Working Title: Law Enforcement Curriculum Specialist      
Position #: 00355 & 00416     

The Department of Criminal Justice Services is seeking a collaborative and innovative team player to serve as a full-time in Law Enforcement Curriculum Specialist in Richmond, Virginia. This position supports Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Public service offers the opportunity to do important rewarding work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. If you want to be part of an agency that cares about our constituents, rigorously advocates and promotes opportunities for all Virginians, we’d love to have you join us!

What you will do:
● Develop model curriculum for entry-level training for all criminal justice professions in collaboration with subject matter experts.
● Development of lesson plans/curriculum for specialized training topics and in-service topics in collaboration with subject matter experts.
● Develop and update the current model curriculum with a focus on integrating de-escalation techniques for students to utilize in scenario-based training.
● Liaison with criminal justice training academies to determine needs and strategize model curriculum development for all regulated professions.
● Maintain and update lesson plans for all functions once developed.
● Develop model curriculum practical exercises.
● Collaborate with subject matter experts and experienced law enforcement training professionals to develop model curriculum practical exercises.
● Trial practical exercises with law enforcement officers and instructors to augment exercises to the needs of students and instructors.
● Publish approved practical exercises for use by Virginia Law Enforcement Academies.
● Develop a plan to deploy/implement model curriculum at criminal justice training academies.
● Collaborate with various stakeholders to provide final drafts of the model curriculum for comment or suggestion.
● Identify and implement a process of distribution and archiving model curriculum.
● Pilot Model Curriculum
● Collaborate with the approved Law Enforcement Academy to ensure the pilot program is implemented properly.
● Provide a comprehensive review of the pilot program examining the effectiveness of model lesson plans, testing material, and feedback based on data analysis and participant evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications

● Knowledge of project planning and management.
● Knowledge of the statutory and regulatory process.
● Knowledge of the Virginia Code.
● Knowledge of adult learning theory.
● Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
● Ability to think strategically and cross culturally, and independently implement new initiatives and projects.
● Ability to articulate, both orally and in written form, clear and concise program objectives and goals and summarize achievements of programs in reports and other documents as requested.     
● Documented experience working as an active, contributing team member, as well as an independent and self-motivated employee.
● Demonstrated ability to meet critical deadlines, handle multiple assignments, changing priorities, and ensure timeliness and quality of completed assignments.

Additional Considerations

● Extensive experience working with criminal justice agencies.
● Significant experience with the delivery of criminal justice training.
● Significant experience with criminal justice training standards.
● Experience with lesson plans and/or curriculum development.
● Experience with response to individuals in crisis.
● Experience with project management.
● Experience with meeting facilitation. 

Special Instructions

Interview candidates may be required to demonstrate the skills and abilities necessary for satisfactory performance of work. The candidate selected for the position must successfully complete a criminal background investigation and complete and submit a Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) which will be entered into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization. The individual may also be responsible for submitting an annual Statement of Personal Economic Interest. In addition, the selected candidate who begins original employment or re-employment in this position must serve a 12-month probationary period effective from the date of employment. This position is funded with a two-year grant. Every effort will be made to continue the position thereafter. The anticipated starting salary range is $70,000 to $77,000 plus the state’s benefits package.

Applications for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home. All applications should be submitted by 11:55 pm on June 2, 2025. The application and supplemental questions must be completed in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position. Fax, email, or mail applications will not be accepted. Résumés and cover letters may be attached to the online application.

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at (804) 225-4399 to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply. The Department also encourages and invites veterans to apply.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to your account at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home for the status of your application and this position.

Contact Information

Name: Nicole Harris

Phone: (804) 786-9469

Email: nicole.harris@dcjs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.