LEL/DRE Coordinator - Tickle College of Engineering (Nashville, TN)

Law Enforcement Liaison/Statewide DRE and ARIDE Coordinator

Location: The primary duty station will be in Nashville, TN, however, the successful candidate will have the option of working remotely. This position will require significant travel throughout the state and occasional out-of-state travel.

Salary Range: Market Range 11 ($52,021.14 – $93,638.05).

This full-time exempt status position at the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) of the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville will be funded through a renewable contract with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS). The CTR serves the transportation needs of government, business, and industry through the conduct of contract research and the provision of training/service in the areas of highway safety, transportation policy, public transportation, environmental protection, transportation planning, and intermodal transportation.

Tennessee’s Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program is a federally funded initiative established in 1998 by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), per recommendation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). An LEL is the primary connector between THSO and local law enforcement agencies across the State of Tennessee to implement national and state traffic safety priorities through media campaigns, high-visibility enforcement and community engagement. These elements promote traffic safety education and law enforcement to prevent traffic fatalities and improve driver behaviors.

The primary duty station will be in Nashville, TN, however, the successful candidate will have the option of working remotely. This position will require significant travel throughout the state and occasional out-of-state travel.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Coordinator exists to serve as a liaison between the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and law enforcement agencies to encourage their participation in THSO sponsored highway safety programs. The DRE/ARIDE Statewide Coordinator is responsible for oversight of the Tennessee DRE and ARIDE programs. The DRE/ARIDE Coordinator will monitor and maintain a record of all current DREs and DRE Instructors and will send all DRE certification and recertification paperwork to IACP, along with changes in department information or any changes relative to the DRE. The coordinator will be responsible for submitting paperwork for those who become decertified due to failure to meet DRE qualifications according to the IACP Standards. The DRE Coordinator will update the NHTSA DRE website as needed and will manage the DRE Portal managed by Tennessee Tech. He/she will also monitor the portal for current toxicology reports and confirmations of the DRE submissions and opinions. The coordinator will manage DRE classes by arranging dates, locations, instructors, and field certification locations. He/she will also provide statewide opportunities for required DRE In-service training, in accordance with IACP Standards. The coordinator will stay current with knowledge of drug trends and court cases and arrange any advanced training that will enhance the program. The DRE/ARIDE coordinator will be a subject matter expert on state and national committees, advisory councils, and task forces as needed. He/she will attend meetings, trainings, and other responsibilities as required by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

The state coordinator will schedule ARIDE classes and work closely with the THSO Training Coordinator. He/she will assign instructors for the classes and will monitor the progress of the class. The DRE/ARIDE coordinator will maintain grades and class evaluations.

Minimum/Required Qualifications:

This position requires a High School Diploma and a minimum of three (3) years of law enforcement experience along with Tennessee P.O.S.T. Commission certification. The successful candidate must possess proven leadership skills, be a self-starter, and have excellent communication and organizational skills. The applicant must hold a current DRE certification in good standing. Additionally, this person must have a demonstrated record of integrity, the ability to work independently, and be proficient in Microsoft Office software. Documented experience giving lectures, providing training, and making presentations is also desirable.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Two years of supervisory experience in law enforcement is desired. Documented experience giving lectures, providing training, and making presentations is also desirable. Preference may be given to P.O.S.T certified DRE/ARIDE instructors and those with participation in THSO initiatives and training. A bachelor’s in Criminal Justice or a comparable degree is preferred.

This is a grant-funded position responsible for implementing the activities and tasks of the THSO Law Enforcement Liaison Training Program.