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Civilian Law Enforcement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$77K - $98K/yr

Mentor law enforcement personnel on management principles, ethical policing, organizational ... delivery of civilian Jaw enforcement services and all aspects of police administration and ...

Civilian Investigators do not have law enforcement powers. ESSENTIAL DUTIES 1. Respond to non-emergency incidents that are not in-progress to conduct investigations. 2. Interview witnesses, victims ...

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Civilian Law Enforcement information

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$28.5K

$60K

$94K

How much do civilian law enforcement jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for civilian law enforcement in the United States is $59,965.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical challenges faced by civilian law enforcement officers in balancing administrative duties with fieldwork?

Civilian law enforcement officers often juggle a mix of administrative responsibilities, such as paperwork, report writing, and evidence management, alongside active fieldwork like community outreach, investigations, and support roles. Balancing these duties can be challenging, especially when urgent field tasks arise while administrative deadlines are looming. Effective time management and organizational skills are essential, and many agencies provide training and team support to help officers prioritize tasks. Collaboration with sworn officers and other civilian staff ensures smooth operations and the ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities.

What is the difference between Civilian Law Enforcement vs Police Officer?

AspectCivilian Law EnforcementPolice Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; specialized training or certifications often requiredHigh school diploma or equivalent; police academy training required
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, administrative roles, or support positions within law enforcement agenciesPatrol, crime scene investigation, and active law enforcement duties
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, government offices, security firmsMunicipal, state, or federal police departments

In summary, Civilian Law Enforcement roles typically involve administrative, support, or specialized functions within law enforcement agencies, requiring similar credentials but often less emphasis on active patrol duties. Police Officers are frontline personnel responsible for patrolling, crime response, and enforcement activities. Both roles are essential to law enforcement but differ mainly in responsibilities and work environment.

What is a civilian law enforcement officer?

Civilian Law Enforcement officers are non-military personnel who work for local, state, or federal government agencies to enforce laws, maintain public order, and protect citizens and property. Their duties often include patrolling neighborhoods, investigating crimes, apprehending suspects, and responding to emergencies. Civilian law enforcement includes roles such as police officers, detectives, and other public safety officials who do not serve as part of the armed forces. They play a crucial role in upholding the justice system and ensuring community safety.

How to become a civilian law enforcement officer?

To become a civilian law enforcement officer, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a police academy training program, and pass background checks, physical fitness tests, and written exams. Some positions may require additional certifications or specialized training, such as in cybersecurity or forensic analysis, depending on the agency's needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a civilian law enforcement officer?

To thrive as a Civilian Law Enforcement Officer, you need a solid understanding of criminal law, investigative procedures, and public safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or college degree and successful completion of police academy training. Familiarity with law enforcement software, evidence management systems, and radio communications equipment is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, ethical judgment, and emotional resilience help officers build community trust and maintain composure in high-pressure situations. These skills and qualities are essential for upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and effectively serving diverse communities.
More about Civilian Law Enforcement jobs
What cities are hiring for Civilian Law Enforcement jobs? Cities with the most Civilian Law Enforcement job openings:
What states have the most Civilian Law Enforcement jobs? States with the most job openings for Civilian Law Enforcement jobs include:
Infographic showing various Civilian Law Enforcement job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,965 per year, or $28.8 per hour.

Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist (Instruction)

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers

North Charleston, SC โ€ข On-site, Remote

$125K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Summary
"The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), through strategic partnerships, prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard America's people, property, and institutions." We are a unique inter-agency organization preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers to meet our Nation's most pressing security challenges." Click here to learn more.
A relocation incentive may be authorized. See additional info section.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Serving as a Supervisory Law Enforcement Specialist (Instruction) GS-1801-14 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Office of the Associate Director for Training Ops, Training Management Operations Directorate, Office of Charleston Operations, Maritime and General Training Branch, located in Charleston, South Carolina.
The primary purpose of this position serves as a Branch Chief and is immediately responsible in conjunction with the Division Chief, for the overall performance and technical activities of course developers/instructors assigned to the Division, including the quality, quantity, and content of their work
Typical duties include:
  • Monitoring required quarterly lesson plan development/updates, providing progress reports and submitting reports to the Division Chief identifying needed areas of courses, text, document revision, or development.
  • Reviewing the instructional schedule and making occasional adjustments as needs dictate to provide effective utilization of the course developers/instructors.
  • Performing personnel management responsibilities such as maintaining discipline, counseling employees, evaluating performance, and approving leave.
  • Supervising, planning, and coordinating general and maritime training activities to ensure personnel maintain required knowledge, skills, and qualifications.
  • Overseeing training schedules, evaluating training effectiveness, monitoring compliance with applicable standards and requirements, and provides guidance to staff on operational readiness, safety, and mission-related training needs.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain FLETC Law Enforcement Instructor certification within 12 months of employment.
  • You will be required to undergo pre-appointment and random drug testing for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon favorable results.
  • You will be subject to rotation to other programs and/or training sections in order to provide depth to the FLETC's instructor cadre.
  • Position is subject to the Lautenberg Amendment - persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence are prohibited from occupying this position.
  • Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire assessment, if required.
  • This position is eligible for situational-only telework based on agency policy.
  • Weekends and federal holidays may be required.
  • This position is Emergency Essential and required to sustain FLETC's operations under all conditions.

Qualifications
A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
This position has a Selective Placement Factor (SPF). If your resume doesn't demonstrate possession of the SPF, you will be rated ineligible. The SPF for this position is:
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In order to be considered for this position you must:
A. Possess experience as a sworn law enforcement officer or agent with full arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal laws;
-OR-
B. Have held a federal civilian position in the 1801 occupational series.
-AND-
Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the federal service, or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties:
  • 1) Leading the development and modification of law enforcement training programs, course outlines, and training materials; 2) Leading teams in identifying, distributing, and balancing work priorities and/or operations to meet emerging needs within available resources; 3) Representing a team and/or performing lead duties (i.e. reporting to the supervisor periodically on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks, individual and team training needs, etc.).

Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement.
Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Department of Homeland Security, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
Note: Secondary Administrative Law Enforcement Officer retirement coverage is being offered for this position.
Transfer Requirement for CSRS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a primary position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause) and/or voluntary breaks in service that began prior to January 20, 1988.
Transfer Requirement for FERS: To be eligible for secondary coverage, an employee must: - Transfer without a break in service exceeding 3 days directly from a primary position to a secondary position; AND - Have completed 3 years of service in a primary position, including any such service during which no FERS deductions were withheld; AND - Be continuously employed in a secondary position since moving from a rigorous position; except a break in employment in secondary positions that begins with an involuntary separation (not for cause).
Re-employed annuitants' annual salaries will be reduced by the amount of their retirement annuity and by further cost of living increases. FERS retirees receiving a FERS annuity supplement must also be aware that, like social security benefits, their FERS annuity supplement is subject to an earnings test and may be reduced if the salary earned is more than the social security exempt amount of earnings. Additional information is available on OPM's website or by contacting OPM.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code ยง 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R ยง 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to fletc-jobinfo@fletc.dhs.gov.
Education
Not Applicable
Additional information
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
A relocation incentive may be authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and FLETC policy, FLETC is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. FLETC personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at FLETC are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, FLETC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Suitability/Fitness as a condition of placement in this Non-Sensitive, Moderate Risk position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
Physical Demands: The work is basically sedentary
Work Environment: The work is performed in a typical office setting.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have acces