ALE Special Agent I - Statewide

Agency Safety Division 70000075 Dept of Public Safety Job Classification Title ALE Agent I (S) Position Number Grade SW05 About Us The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina. Description of Work THIS JOB POSTING WILL CLOSE AT 11:59 PM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026. This is a statewide position. If you are considered for this position, you are subject to be assigned to any one of our eight (8) districts in the state. Per policy, you will have 90 days following your assignment (unless otherwise granted an extension) to establish a residence that will allow you to respond to your assigned area of responsibility within 45 minutes. For a comprehensive list of ALE districts, please visit our website at . The employee in this position will be expected to demonstrate the following: * Ability to understand technologies and problem resolution techniques. * Ability to utilize proven solutions and/or designs when solving problems. * Ability to clearly communicate and convey technical information and promote understanding of relevant issues. * Ability to express thoughts, ideas and information effectively by means of oral (including non- verbal) and written communication to a wide range of audiences. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: * Investigate any criminal matter; agents specialize in the enforcement of the alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, tobacco, and gaming laws of North Carolina. * Collection and preservation of evidence, testimony in court proceedings as necessary, and performing related work such as apprehending observed violators committing offenses. * Conduct major criminal investigations that address community betterment initiatives that have significant positive impacts on communities. * Collaborate with and assist federal agencies with task force assignments that address major criminal activities such as criminal enterprises, and money laundering. * Provide support during natural disasters by providing humanitarian relief and supplementing local law enforcement departments with all aspects of police duties including, but not limited to, routine patrol and responding to calls for service. when necessary. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences This is a statewide position. If you are considered for this position, you are subject to be assigned to any one of our eight (8) districts in the state. Per policy, you will have 90 days following your assignment (unless otherwise granted an extension) to establish a residence that will allow you to respond to your assigned area of responsibility within 45 minutes. For a comprehensive list of ALE districts, please visit our website at . If you are located in one of the following counties (Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union), please be advised there is another Special Agent I posting open that you can apply to that may guarantee you assignment to the Concord district. You can apply to both the Statewide Special Agent I and Concord Special Agent I postings and be considered for both. You will only have to complete each step of the process one time even if you have applied for both positions. You will not have to do two (2) Webex, two (2) POPAT, etc. You will just complete one and it will count for both processes. Per North Carolina General Statutes, the starting salary for sworn applicants will be $62,150.00. Per the 2026 State Teacher/Employee Pay and Local Law Enforcement Officers Bonus Bill (SB599), a yearly step increase of 6.5% will be given for the first six years of employment as follows: Starting - $62,150 Year 1 - $66,190 Year 2 - $70,492 Year 3 - $75,074 Year 4 - $79,953 Year 5 - $85,150 Year 6 - $90,685 IMPORTANT! Applicants MUST be available and participate in one of the following Webex presentations: Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10am, Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 7pm, Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 7pm, or Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 3pm. Applicants will also need to be available for POPAT and Package Review on either Tuesday, October 13, 2026, or Friday, October 16, 2026, at Samarcand Training Academy - 3600 Samarcand Rd, Jackson Springs, NC 27281. Additional information will be provided about these events soon. Failure to attend one of the Webex presentations and/or POPAT & Package Review will result in the applicant being disqualified. It is the responsibility of the applicant to read all information and questions thoroughly. To be considered for employment, you must answer all questions and complete all sections of this application form. Any potentially concerning answers require full explanations. These explanations should be prepared and attached to your application at the time of submission. Include all relevant information, including dates and locations. Falsification of any answer will result in the disqualification of your application. DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. Management Preferences, including Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), are not required but may be used to determine the pool of most qualified applicants. Managers may also choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Transcripts may be attached to supplement education, and work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as receive the highest possible salary if selected for the position. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations for the advertised position. Click here for more information and application resources . Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitute for a complete application. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits , including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance. To view an example of total compensation, please click here NC OSHR: Total Compensation Calculator . Position may require all-day travel. This position is considered mandatory/essential and does not qualify to participate in the telework program. Applicants will be subject to a criminal/civil background investigation and polygraph. Recommended applicant must pass a drug screen. This job classification qualifies for the employee referral bonus program. If you were referred to this job posting by a current DPS employee, and you are eventually hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus. About the Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division: ALE is a division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Alcohol Law Enforcement Special Agents have statewide jurisdiction to investigate any criminal offense and make arrests within the State of North Carolina. ALE is the lead enforcement agency for the state's alcoholic beverage control, lottery and tobacco laws. As such, ALE Special Agents target problem ABC-licensed and illegal establishments that serve as havens for violence, drugs, gang activity, organized crime, money laundering and other criminal activity. The mission of the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division is to reduce crime and enhance public safety throughout the State of North Carolina. This mission is accomplished through the proactive, fair and consistent enforcement of the state laws related to alcoholic beverage control, gambling, tobacco, controlled substances, and nuisance abatement, as well as other criminal and regulatory matters in the interest of health and public safety. Additional Salary and Benefits information are available on our website at . ALE has high employment standards for its agents, who: Are a responsible and law-abiding citizen of the United States with high moral character and personal integrity. Successfully complete pre-screening modified Police Officer Physical Agility Test (POPAT). Successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and urinalysis drug test. Successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation including contacts with references, employers, co-workers, close personal associates, etc., and review of driving record, credit history, criminal history, and service in the military. Accept employment under two (2) year probationary status, which includes successful completion of the ALE Special Agent Academy, approximately two months in duration. Accept temporary assignments anywhere or anytime. Accept assignments requiring irregular hours, day or night, any day of a week or holidays. Accept assignments requiring undercover investigation. Accept assignments requiring overnight travel possibly over extended periods of time. Are willing to carry and use a firearm. Are willing to use deadly force, if warranted, to protect his or her life or the life of someone else. In addition to meeting these standards new recruits will be expected to demonstrate the following abilities both during training and throughout their probationary period: Ability to understand modern principles and methods of investigation and law enforcement. Ability to perform investigations, including undercover operations. Ability to understand tasks, accepts responsibility, takes initiative to plan and organize daily activities and performs work under direct supervision. Ability to use firearms and tools/equipment involved in evidence collection and enforcement activities. Management Preference(s): Management prefers current North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement (BLET) Certification in good standing. BLET Certification must be awarded no later than December 31, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: Out of state applicants MUST submit proof of an equivalency check with the NC Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission at the time of their applicant package review. Failure to do so will be considered as a withdrawal from the process. NC applicants currently enrolled in a BLET program will be required to provide proof of enrollment at the time of their applicant package review. ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are committed to full inclusion of qualified applicants and will review requests for reasonable accommodation to perform essential job functions during the hiring process or while on the job. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program For applicants with student loans, becoming a state employee may include eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit to learn more. Transcripts Degrees and transcripts must be received from appropriately accredited college or university. Applicants who earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, must attach an unofficial transcript to receive credit for education. International degrees and transcripts must be eva luated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility . The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options to provide credential verification : . Military Experience Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that includes Character of Discharge - Member 4 or Service 2 form) to the application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference: A current member of the N orth C arolina National Guard in good standing must a ttach a NGB 23A (RPAS) . A former member of the N orth Carolina National Guard who served for at least 6 years and w ere discharged under honorable conditions, must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22. The NC Dept. of Public Safety must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape." PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions Selected applicants for positions which are subject to PREA will undergo a PREA-specific background check. Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice involved, and we invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Due to the nature of work performed in our agency, prior convictions and/or charges may prohibit employment for positions which are subject to PREA or other position-specific background checks. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. Please log in to your Workday account to check the status of your application. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the hiring manager. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification when the position is filled. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Special Agent Antwan Happoldt at 919-733-4060. #NCALE #ALE Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Please Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience includes an Associate’s degree and at least two years full time sworn law enforcement experience, or four years full time sworn law enforcement experience. A Bachelor's or Associates degree must be received no later than December 31, 2026. Necessary Special Qualifications: Must be eligible for certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. Applicants must graduate from the next available ALE Academy upon hire and meet all applicable North Carolina state statutory standards for law enforcement officers. IMPORTANT! Law Enforcement experience must be full-time, with full arrest authority , to be considered. Sworn law enforcement experience is defined as having full arrest authority. Correctional and/or Detention Officer experience does not qualify for full arrest authority, unless specifically documented. EEO Statement T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Recruiter: Simone Patterson Johnson Recruiter Email: Watch This Video for Tips on Applying in Workday: