Wyoming Highway Patrol Colonel 2026-00808

State of Wyoming

$150K — $166K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, business, public administration, social services, education, or related field preferred.
  • 8-10 years of law enforcement experience, ideally at the Captain or Administrator level.
  • Eligibility for Professional Certification through the Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) Commission.
  • Experience in program development and policymaking, as well as budget management.
  • Skills in communication, negotiation, and interpersonal relations relevant to law enforcement.

Responsibilities

  • Manage all work activities for the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
  • Oversee a department of approximately 207 sworn and 170 civilian employees.
  • Ensure compliance and safety on Wyoming highways through patrol and regulatory actions.
  • Develop and implement long-range and short-range strategic goals and plans for the Highway Patrol.
  • Participate in executive team decisions and policy development for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage for employees and families.
  • Voluntary benefits including life insurance and disability options.
  • Multiple retirement options for long-term financial security.
  • Generous paid leave, including vacation and sick leave.
  • Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and training opportunities.
Full Job Description
Salary: $12,500.80 - $13,890.93 Monthly
Location : Cheyenne, WY
Job Type: At-Will Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Transportation
Division: Department of Transportation
Opening Date: 03/18/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Job Classification: EXMT05

Description and Functions
Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Wyoming Highway Patrol was established in 1933, quickly becoming known as the "Guardians of the Cowboy State," providing law enforcement to the 9th largest state in the Nation. This position manages all work activities for the Wyoming Highway Patrol, administering a department of approximately 207 sworn and over 170 civilian employees that are dedicated to keeping Wyoming roads safe. In addition to patrolling the highways of Wyoming, the Wyoming Highway Patrol provides statewide dispatch for state law enforcement, commercial motor vehicle regulation through the Ports of Entry, and the Executive Detail for the Governor of Wyoming. As a member of the Wyoming Department of Transportation Executive Team, the Colonel serves at the pleasure of the Director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Qualifications
PREFERENCES:

Preference will be given to those with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, business or public administration, social services, education, or other common related fields.
In addition, eight to ten years of work experience in law enforcement, with experience at the level of Captain or Administrator.
Applicant must possess or be eligible for Professional Certification through the Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) Commission, within their jurisdiction.
Experience in program development, rule and policymaking, budgetary responsibility, as well as development of long-range and short-range goals and plans for the Highway Patrol.
KNOWLEDGE:
  • Knowledge of methods and techniques of law enforcement.
  • Knowledge of management and negotiation skills.
  • Knowledge in the application of evaluation, policy-making, decision-making, and direction of work activities.
  • Skill in oral and written communication.
  • Skill in interpersonal relations as applied to interaction with representatives of law enforcement, government, public, and patrol personnel.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
None - See "Preferences"
Necessary Special Requirements
NOTES:
  • FLSA: Exempt, At-Will
  • Selected candidate will be required to become Wyoming POST certified.
  • Candidates are subject to a full background check and physical.

Supplemental Information
045 WYDOT Wyoming Highway Patrol

Click to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.
Click to view the State of Wyoming total Compensation Calculator.
URL:



Employees enjoy:
  • Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
  • Voluntary Benefits - including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
  • Multiple retirement options - including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
  • Generous paid leave and flexible schedules - vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 11 paid holidays each year
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility - for those with qualifying student loans
  • Training and professional development - to support your career growth and advancement
  • Employee Assistance Program - Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
  • Wellness Program - Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

Know your full value.
Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.

Explore your total compensation:

WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can't find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.
Click here for detailed information or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!.
01

(AA) Which of the following best describes your highest completed level of education to date or within the next three (3) months? (Transcripts may be required.)
  • High School Diploma/GED/or Equivalent
  • Some college Coursework, No Degree Received
  • Associate's Degree
  • Associate's Degree and additional coursework
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree and additional coursework
  • Master's Degree
  • Master's Degree and additional coursework
  • Doctorate Degree
  • Doctorate Degree and additional coursework
  • None of the Above

02

(AA) Which of the following Quarter/Semester credit hours best describes your completed college education to date or within the next three (3) months? (Transcripts may be required.)
  • 45+ Quarter hours/30+ Semester hours
  • 90+ Quarter hours/60+ Semester hours
  • 136+ Quarter hours/91+ Semester hours
  • 180+ Quarter hours/120+ Semester hours
  • 225+ Quarter hours/150+Semester hours
  • N/A

03

Describe your relevant work experience or transferable skills that you have related to the job description.
04

Do you have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, business or public administration, social services, education or other common related field?
  • Yes
  • N

05

Do you have eight to ten years of work experience in law enforcement?
  • Yes
  • No

06

Do you also have experience at the level of Captain or Administrator?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Do you possess or are you eligible for Professional Certification through Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST) Commission, within their jurisdiction?
  • Yes
  • N

08

Do you have experience in program development, rule and policymaking, budgetary responsibility, as well as development of long-and short-range goals and plans for the Highway Patrol?
  • Yes
  • No

09

(A1) If you selected "Current State Employee" please provide the employee's first and last name, and include the department they work for, if known. Please limit this response to only one employee. This employee may be eligible for a Referral Bonus.
10

(A1) Where did you hear about this opportunity?
  • Government Jobs @www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wyoming
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Zip Recruiter
  • Wyoming Workforce Center
  • Other job sites (Wyoming at Work, Monster, etc.)
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Newspaper/Newsletter Advertisement
  • Career Fair
  • Human Resources Division
  • Friend or Acquaintance (Not State Employee)
  • Current State Employee
  • Other

11

(A1) If you selected Other, please tell us where you heard about this opportunity.
12

(AA) VETERANS' PREFERENCE DISCLOSURE: PER WYOMING STATUTE, current employees of the State of Wyoming are not eligible for veterans' preference. If you are not a current employee of the State of Wyoming, to be eligible to receive veterans' preference you MUST have been a resident of the State of Wyoming for a period of one (1) year or more at any time prior to submitting this application. I have read and understand the veterans' preference disclosure.
  • Yes
  • No
  • I am not a veteran

13

(AA) VETERANS' PREFERENCE: If you are a war veteran as defined in section 101, Title 38, United States Code or are the surviving spouse of a war veteran who receives survivor benefits from the federal government based on the veteran's military service, and wish to claim veterans' preference, please attach the appropriate documentation substantiating your claim. Indicate below your appropriate veterans' preference status. By requesting veterans' preference, you are certifying that you meet the statutory requirements as described in the above disclosure.
  • Current State Employee
  • Veteran - DD214 Attached
  • Disabled Veteran (10% or more) - DD214 and Veteran's Disability Determination Attached
  • Surviving Spouse of a Deceased Veteran - DD214 and proof of Survivor Benefit Attached
  • None of the above

14

(A2) Please be advised that an incomplete application WILL NOT be considered for employment. An attached resume' is not required and is not an acceptable substitution for a completed application. Some State of Wyoming agencies use E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.I have read and understand the above statement.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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