Job Description
The Peace Officer Instructor is responsible for delivering high quality instruction that prepares students for ethical, effective, and community focused careers in law enforcement and beyond. This position draws upon the instructor's professional experience to integrate theory, practical application, and current best practices into the learning environment. The instructor serves as a mentor and role model for future peace officers by fostering professional standards, critical thinking, and…
accountability consistent with state licensure requirements and the evolving expectations of the profession. Through instruction, assessment, and student support, the Peace Officer Instructor contributes to student success, workforce readiness, and the ongoing mission of the college to serve its communities through excellence in education.
Salary Range:
Wage: $43,912 - $95,542: Dependent on education and years of experience, there are step limits in the contract that we are limited to, with the highest salary delegated at around $71,893.
Minimum Qualifications
Education Requirement
- Associate's degree with a major in law enforcement or criminal justice.
Occupational Experience Requirement
- Four full-time years (or equivalent) of verified related paid work experience in law enforcement, a maximum of two years of this experience may be in corrections.
Recency Requirement
- One year of this work experience shall be within the five years immediately preceding the date of application for the credential field. The recency requirement shall be waived if the individual has two years of successful full-time (or equivalent) postsecondary teaching experience in the credential field within the last five years.
Professional Requirement
- POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training Board of Minnesota) eligible, or a Federal licensed agent with the powers of arrest, the completion of a basic course recognized by a state council, state commission, state board, or state agency which leads to licensing or basic certification as a law enforcement officer, including but not limited to the basic Drug Enforcement Administration's Agent school, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Basic Agent school or the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's uniform patrol course or basic investigators course.
Other Requirements
Online application deadline for preferred review is 11:59PM on May 26, 2026. The position is open until it is filled.
Applications must include:
- Online Employment Application
- Resume
- Letter of interest addressing the position qualifications
- Unofficial copy of transcripts
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to MnSCU's vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check.
Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)
Monday - Friday (Start Date: Aug. 20, 2026)
Telework (Yes/No)
The ideal candidate will be on campus 1x/week with an online modality. (Hybrid)
About
Institution Information
MISSION: Ridgewater College empowers diverse learners to reach their full potential and enrich their lives through personalized and relevant education in an accessible, supportive, and inclusive environment.
VISION: Ridgewater College is a student-centered educational leader focused on innovation, excellence and affordability.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
- Enterprising - We are future-focused, and change-oriented, developing creative solutions to challenges that maximize our institutional, system and local resources.
- Empowerment - We develop and empower employees to make decisions to best serve students and stakeholders.
- Excellence - We strive to exceed expectations in all that we do.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - We seek to understand and appreciate the needs and experiences of every individual and actively work to provide genuine opportunities for everyone to succeed and participate in college activities and processes.
- Trust and Respect - We are committed to developing a culture based in processes and behavior that create trust and respect among all stakeholders.
- Collaboration - We connect and work together to achieve common goals while respecting needs and interests of stakeholders.
- Curiosity and Creativity - We constantly strive to understand, learn, change, and improve.
- Accountability - As individuals and groups, we willingly accept and take ownership of our successes and failures.