Defensive Tactics & Physical Fitness Instructor (Public Safety Training Specialist 1) - Multiple Positions Available

Initial Posting Date:

07/31/2025

Application Deadline:

08/18/2025

Agency:

Department of Public Safety Standards and Training

Salary Range:

$5,533 - $8,466

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Defensive Tactics & Physical Fitness Instructor (Public Safety Training Specialist 1) - Multiple Positions Available

Job Description:

Department of Public Safety Standards and Training

Defensive Tactics & Physical Fitness Instructor (Public Safety Training Specialist 1) - Multiple Positions Available

This recruitment is for one (1), permanent, full-time position and one (1), limited duration, full-time position both located in Salem, OR (4190 Aumsville Hwy SE) both are represented by the Oregon Public Safety Association. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified applicants and may be used to fill future vacancies.

Compensation: $5,533 - 8,466 (Base Pay, Non-PERS); $5,918 - 9,056 (PERS participating)

Note: No cover letter is required to apply, please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the application questionnaire as it will determine candidate advancement.

Note for Limited Duration Positions, limited duration positions are benefit eligible positions with a designated maximum length of service. This position is expected to last through June of 2027 (end of biennium); however, based on workload need and funding the position end cannot be anticipated or may become permanent depending on funding.

Position Overview:

You'll be providing subject matter expertise and instruction within the Defensive Tactics and Physical Fitness Training programs.

Primary responsibilities include leading specialized training sessions with clarity and confidence, using strong communication and technical expertise to deliver impactful demonstrations while keeping the group engaged and focused. Responsibilities also include guiding participants through structured coursework and hands on activities, tailoring your approach to fit the needs of public safety professionals and the objectives of the training program. Coaching and assessing participants on their progress toward achieving learning objectives and providing both verbal and written feedback to training coordinators regarding participant performance, course content, materials, and activities.

Insight into Physical Fitness: When working with the Physical Fitness Training program you'll instruct ORPAT, fitness, and nutrition courses. Additionally, you will demonstrate the proper and safe use of training equipment, including weightlifting gear, audio-visual equipment, and gym maintenance tools.

Insight into Defensive Tactics: When working with the Defensive Tactics Training program you will teach concepts that will be overlaid on top of the skills being taught. The skills being taught will include standing clinch work, ground defense, striking from clinch, takedowns, handcuffing and searching tactics, weapons retention and timing, vehicle extractions, and other defensive tactics skills. Additionally, as a DT Instructor, you will explain the context in which the concepts and skills would be used and how they apply to a law enforcement officer.

For a complete position description, please click here to contact the recruiter.

About DPSST:

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) oversees the development of professional standards and the delivery of quality training for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, firefighters, telecommunicators, and emergency medical dispatchers. DPSST is also the regulatory agency that enforces employment and training standards for the above listed public safety disciplines and licenses proprietary security managers, security contractors and officers, polygraph examiners, and private investigators.

Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging is a core value at DPSST. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all students, staff, and faculty. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. Employees are expected to uphold this value and foster an inclusive and equitable workplace.

The Benefits You'll Enjoy:

• Work/life balance and a supportive working environment.

• 11 Paid holidays a year

• Paid sick leave, vacation, and personal leave.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employee and qualified family members. Find out more about our competitive benefits packages. Click here to visit our full benefits website.

• Optional benefits additions such as flexible spending accounts, term life and more.

• You will be automatically enrolled into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) program. Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted above reflects base salary only.

• Free parking!

• Onsite Cafeteria

• Onsite wellness options

Minimum Qualifications:

Three (3) years of professional level experience related to the instructional assignment and/or based on ORS 181.610 through 181.690. Typically, this experience is in the area of public safety (law enforcement officers, adult and youth corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service professionals, telecommunicators, and emergency medical dispatchers). Experience must have included delivering structured training sessions or on-the-job training.

Note: If you have questions about minimum qualification eligibility or about the classification please contact Andrea Self (andrea.self@DPSST.oregon.gov or 503-689-6763)

Requested Skills/ Desired Attributes:

"What we'd like to see" - If you have these qualities, let us know!

• Experience teaching ground defense, stand-up clinch work, stand up striking, takedowns, police arrest/controls tactics, lethal and non-lethal weapon use.

• Experience training adults both concepts and physical motor skills.

• Strong operational experience applying adult learning theory.

• Highly motivated individuals with the ability to work independently and within a team environment

• High level of physical fitness to properly perform the skills you will be instructing.

Please note that the questionnaire will ask questions pertaining to the requested skills/desired attributes section. No cover letter is required. Allow sufficient time to complete your application in one sitting, as the saving of your application cannot be guaranteed in Workday.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to those who possess law enforcement experience in the subject area within the last 10 years.

• Preference will be given to those who possess a fitness or nutrition certification through an accredited body (NSCA, SASM, ISSN, PN, etc.)

Additional Requirements:

Successful candidates for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history check.  Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

How to Apply:

• Sign In or Create a Workday Account (Internal employees please use your Workday profile).

• Complete the self-prompted application AND attach your updated resume.

• If you do not have a resume, please make sure to include all your work experience when asked in the application.

• Complete the questionnaire within your application.

• After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the public records request (PRR) authorization and gender identity question. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

• If you are a veteran, the task to claim preference will come after the PRR and gender identity tasks. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your DD214/DD215/civil service preference letter to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments. We will ask you for your documents later in the process. If you need time to locate or order your documents from the VA, please contact the recruiter at the phone number or email under the 'Need help?' section below.

Questions/Need Help?

For questions about the application process, contact Andrea.Self@DPSST.Oregon.gov. Please be sure that you include the job announcement number.