Police Cadets (Full-time Cadet)- Police Department

Salary: See Position Description Location : Marriottsville, MD Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 0021-01012026 Department: Police Opening Date: 01/01/2026 Closing Date: 3/31/2026 12:00 AM Eastern POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTIONSTARTING SALARY FOR FULL TIME CADETS: $40,797 ANNUAL Howard County Police Department is conducting written and physical testing for full-time Cadet. Howard County Police Cadets support officers and civilians in the Department. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESTypical functions include but are not limited to: Assistance with clerical and administrative, and communications functions Transportation of evidence to various state and federal agencies Provide traffic direction and assist with various functions during special events Presentation of programs to the public Community Outreach To be considered for employment, applicants must meet the following standards: Be a United States citizen Be at least 18 years old AND less than 21 years old by employment date Possess a high school diploma or GED Possess a valid driver's license Have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions In addition to the above qualifications you will also be required to complete a background investigation All applications must be submitted at policeapp.com/HowardCountyMDHIRING PROCESSPrior to and on Testing Day: You must complete an application prior to testing day at policeapp.com/HowardCountyMD. Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to complete your Personal History Questionnaire. Applications are good for six months. If you previously applied within the last six months, you are not eligible to re-apply until six months from that date. Contact with questions. Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): After your initial application has been approved, you will receive instructions to complete your PHQ via a unique e-mail link. You will have ten days to complete and submit the PHQ electronically. It is critical that you are thorough and honest when completing this booklet, as all the information you provide will be verified during your polygraph exam and background investigation. Written Exam and Physical Agility Test: When testing is offered it will be at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, 2200 Scott Wheeler Dr., Marriottsville, MD 21104.Doors open one hour prior to testing. NO ONE will be permitted to enter beyond the start time. In case of inclement weather, call 410-313-3200. Written Test: The written test is scheduled and offered on an ongoing basis. You will have two hours to complete the written test. Passing written test scores are valid for six months or until the next academy is selected. If you do not pass the written test, you will be ineligible to re-test for six months. Physical Agility Test: You must first pass the written test before you are eligible to take the physical agility test. It is required that you bring the completed HCPD Physician's Authorization Form with you in order to complete the physical agility test. The physical agility test is comprised of three physical tests: sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Standards for each test are based on your age and gender, which are detailed on the Physician's Authorization Form. You are eligible to take the physical agility test as many times as it is offered within six months following your successful passage of the written test. Oral Interview: Upon successful completion of the physical agility test, you will participate in a panel interview. The oral interview is conducted by three Howard County Police employees. A series of questions will be asked of you concerning your experiences, abilities, and job awareness. Polygraph Exam: Upon successful completion of the oral interview, you will be scheduled for a polygraph exam. You will receive an information sheet concerning the polygraph exam explaining the polygraph equipment and exam procedures. The examiner will review all test questions with you prior to the test administration. You can expect the polygraph exam to last approximately three hours with a certified Polygraph Examiner. Background Investigation: If you are endorsed following the polygraph examination, your case file will be assigned to a Background Investigator. The investigator will make contact with you and will conduct various records checks, verify education and work history, and contact all of your listed references: family members, neighbors, and employers. This portion of the process takes an average of 4-6 weeks. Psychological Exam: If you are endorsed following the background investigation, you will be scheduled for a psychological exam. A trained and certified psychologist conducts the exam. Pre-employment Medical Evaluation (this step follows a conditional offer of employment): This exam is to evaluate medical abilities in order to safely perform the duties of a police officer. Excellent Benefits Include: • Health, dental, and life insurance (Full-time Cadets Only) • Vacation, disability and personal leave (Full-time Cadets Only) • Uniform/equipment supplied • Tuition reimbursement (Full-time Cadets Only) FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OR CALL THE RECRUITING OFFICE AT 410-313-HCPD. HCPD IS AN ACCREDITED AND EEO AGENCY. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks. At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources. GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan. PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval. ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next. DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate. PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over. HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day. OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act. RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan. SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate. 457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding. PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement. LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit. DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources. VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance. CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.

Created: 2026-03-04