What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor in Law Enforcement position at South Plains College?
Job Title
Instructor in Law Enforcement
Department
LEVL - Professional Services & Energy
Employment Status
FT Full-Time
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Benefits
Yes
Months per Year
9 months
Job Description
SUMMARY
Position conducts college courses for undergraduate students by performing the following duties for the Law Enforcement Technology/Criminal Justice Program. In addition, the position requires teaching in two basic peace officer courses conducted annually through the South Plains College Law Enforcement Academy.
Position office is located at South Plains College Levelland campus, but also may require assigned duties at other South Plains College Centers.
Position duties primarily consist of credit courses, but may require additional assigned duties of instructing Workforce Development/Continuing Education courses.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following; other duties may be assigned and/or included as noted in the SPC Faculty Handbook:
- Instruct Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Technology courses as outlined in proscribed curriculum including hands-on lab skills and academic lecture.
- Prepare, deliver, and instruct courses to students in the basic peace officer course, which is scheduled in the evening and summer through the South Plains College Law Enforcement Academy.
- Remain concerned with all matters involving teaching.
- Demonstrate and practice proficient knowledge and skills concerning professional law enforcement tactics, strategies, and techniques.
- Prepare and deliver academic lecture to students in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement academic and skill classes.
- Prepare, deliver, and instruct lab situations where students receive hands-on training in firearms, defensive tactics, and alternative professional Law Enforcement skills.
- Stimulate and motivate class discussions encouraging positive student goal achievement.
- Compile, administers, and grades examinations.
- Perform related duties such as advising students on academic and technical education curricula.
- Serve on faculty committees as assigned.
- Be familiar with administrative policies, philosophies, objectives, and goals involving program and institution.
- Recruit new students by working with CTE Articulated High Schools and alternative programs.
- Participate in college functions, activities, and committees.
- Act as an advisor to the Law Enforcement Club and act as a positive role model by participating in activities.
- Remain a professional representative of South Plains College Technical Education Division and Professional Services and Energy Department.
- Additional duties as assigned by college president and/or administration.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Instructor may supervise students working in the firing range or other related program activities.
- Instructor may supervise students at Law Enforcement Club functions.
QUALIFICATIONS
To successfully perform this job, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an instructor with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field is required. Since position instructs Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Technology courses, which transfer to upper level universities; position requires applicant to earn a Master’s Degree that includes 18 hours of Criminal Justice related courses within two years. In addition, applicant must possess a minimum of five years law enforcement experience as a full-time peace officer or equivalent professional skills. Applicant possession of an Intermediate Certificate and Instructor’s Certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is recommended.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
The applicant for this position should possess ability to read, analyze, interpret, and communicate course textbooks, professional journals, and technical procedures. In addition, the applicant should possess an understanding and knowledge of legal aspects, statutes, rules, and procedures relevant to the U.S. criminal justice system including, but not limited to, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Transportation Code, Alcoholic Beverage Code, Texas Family Code, Controlled Substance Act, Texas Mental Health Code, state and federal court cases. The applicant should be able to explain and interpret legalese to students. Furthermore, the applicant must possess the ability to effectively present information in oral and written form, as well as respond to questions from students, administration, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
An applicant should be able to understand and relate mathematical skills involving tire skid marks and other measuring skills related to crime scene investigation, traffic accident investigation, and other related mathematical concepts relevant to law enforcement investigations.
COMPUTER SKILLS
An applicant should possess the ability to use office productivity software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and others. In addition, an applicant should be able to effectively use Internet browsers and navigate the World Wide Web for personal and student research projects. Applicants should also be familiar with the operation of computer peripherals such as printers and projectors.
REASONING ABILITY
The Law Enforcement Technology program provides students with critical thinking opportunities in a variety of situations including, but not limited to, firearms skill training, tactical approaches to dangerous situations, discretion, and ethical thinking process. An instructor in this program should possess the ability to create scenarios and/or situations allowing for student decision-making opportunities, which will replicate circumstances likely to be encountered in the field of law enforcement.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Law Enforcement instructors work with students in skill and career entry-level functions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform various essential functions.
While performing duties of this job, an individual is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is required to frequently stand and occasionally required to walk and sit. General physical functions related to use of hands and fingers to handle, feel, and reach with hands and arms are required in varying degrees relative to academic and skill functions. Applicant must be able to instruct and participate in physical fitness activities during police academy coursework. Also, applicant must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move at least 50 pounds of weight.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those of an employee while perform essential functions of this job. An employee is expected to be able to function in an indoor firing range. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, an employee may occasionally be exposed to the risk of electrical shock. In addition, an employee must familiarize themselves with Safety Data Sheet procedures to minimize exposure to various substances located in the firing range or other work areas.
The noise level in most work environments is usually moderate. However, care is taken when dealing with handguns and other firearms noises in the range to protect from loud firearms usage. Instructors and students must wear protective eyewear and over-the-ear hearing protection to protect from potential injury while handling and using firearms.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To successfully perform this job, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an instructor with disabilities to perform essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field is required. Since position instructs Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Technology courses, which transfer to upper level universities; position requires applicant to earn a Master’s Degree that includes 18 hours of Criminal Justice related courses within two years. In addition, applicant must possess a minimum of five years law enforcement experience as a full-time peace officer or equivalent professional skills. Applicant possession of an Intermediate Certificate and Instructor’s Certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is recommended.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
The applicant for this position should possess ability to read, analyze, interpret, and communicate course textbooks, professional journals, and technical procedures. In addition, the applicant should possess an understanding and knowledge of legal aspects, statutes, rules, and procedures relevant to the U.S. criminal justice system including, but not limited to, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Transportation Code, Alcoholic Beverage Code, Texas Family Code, Controlled Substance Act, Texas Mental Health Code, state and federal court cases. The applicant should be able to explain and interpret legalese to students. Furthermore, the applicant must possess the ability to effectively present information in oral and written form, as well as respond to questions from students, administration, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
An applicant should be able to understand and relate mathematical skills involving tire skid marks and other measuring skills related to crime scene investigation, traffic accident investigation, and other related mathematical concepts relevant to law enforcement investigations.
COMPUTER SKILLS
An applicant should possess the ability to use office productivity software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and others. In addition, an applicant should be able to effectively use Internet browsers and navigate the World Wide Web for personal and student research projects. Applicants should also be familiar with the operation of computer peripherals such as printers and projectors.
REASONING ABILITY
The Law Enforcement Technology program provides students with critical thinking opportunities in a variety of situations including, but not limited to, firearms skill training, tactical approaches to dangerous situations, discretion, and ethical thinking process. An instructor in this program should possess the ability to create scenarios and/or situations allowing for student decision-making opportunities, which will replicate circumstances likely to be encountered in the field of law enforcement.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Law Enforcement instructors work with students in skill and career entry-level functions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform various essential functions.
While performing duties of this job, an individual is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is required to frequently stand and occasionally required to walk and sit. General physical functions related to use of hands and fingers to handle, feel, and reach with hands and arms are required in varying degrees relative to academic and skill functions. Applicant must be able to instruct and participate in physical fitness activities during police academy coursework. Also, applicant must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move at least 50 pounds of weight.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those of an employee while perform essential functions of this job. An employee is expected to be able to function in an indoor firing range. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, an employee may occasionally be exposed to the risk of electrical shock. In addition, an employee must familiarize themselves with Safety Data Sheet procedures to minimize exposure to various substances located in the firing range or other work areas.
The noise level in most work environments is usually moderate. However, care is taken when dealing with handguns and other firearms noises in the range to protect from loud firearms usage. Instructors and students must wear protective eyewear and over-the-ear hearing protection to protect from potential injury while handling and using firearms.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F2392019-P
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
08/18/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Application Review Date
04/18/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions Summary
Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://southplainscollege.peopleadmin.com/postings/4065
