North Carolina Department of Public Safety Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 40 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
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6 roles · 40 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Court Counselor Trainee
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Panel Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Presentation
I applied for the same role twice and got hired the second time around after being a top choice. The whole process was pretty fast, about 3 months from applying to starting, way quicker than the 6-9 months I was told for other state jobs. Applied in September, had an interview in October, got a conditional offer in November, and the final offer with a December start date. The interview itself was a panel of three people asking questions. They offered to let me take my mask off the second time, which I did, and I got hired. Not sure if that was the deciding factor, but be ready with your own questions at the end!
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Can you share an instance when you had to explain something to someone?
- Describe a situation where you had to handle an angry customer. How could you tell they were angry?
- How do you approach handling multiple tasks at once?
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Correctional Officer
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
The interview was pretty quick and to the point. A Correctional Sergeant met me and took me to a room where another Correctional Sergeant was waiting. It was a panel interview with two Sergeants sitting across from me. I was given a paper with 5 questions. One Sergeant asked if I wanted to read them or if they should. I chose to read them myself and answered to the best of my ability. One Sergeant made some weird faces at some of my answers which made me a bit uncomfortable, but I kept going. Afterward, I shook their hands and the other Sergeant took me to another room where the administrators told me I passed.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- Could you manage over 100 inmates on your own?
- What would you do if you found a fellow officer sleeping while on duty?
- If you were home and heard on the news that an emergency was happening at the prison you work at, what would be your course of action?
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Probation Officer
Entry Average Neutral experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Presentation Group Onsite Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation Case
After sending in your application, they'll give you a call for an interview. You'll face a panel of 6 interviewers who will ask you situational questions. Each interviewer will ask 3 questions. Before that though, you have to write an essay about why you want to join the department. After the judges finish their questions, you'll have to role play as if you have an offender in your office, given a scenario, and asked how you would react.
Confirmed questions3 questions
- Can you share your biggest accomplishment?
- Why do you want to work for this department?
- Given a scenario with an offender in your office, how would you react?
North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Correctional Officer
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Panel Background check Offer
Interview formats
Technical Behavioral
Applied online and after about two months, I was called to set up a COPAT test. It was held at McCain Prison in Raeford, NC. The COPAT involves a step test, dummy drag, grip strength test, push-ups, sit-ups, and lunges. Right after that, I had an interview with a panel of 4 people, still in my workout clothes. They asked integrity-based questions, not about protocols. Two weeks later, I had a polygraph and a physical, and then I was accepted into the academy.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What would you do if you discovered a coworker was smuggling drugs into the prison?
North Carolina Department of Public Safety Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from North Carolina Department of Public Safety interview reports.
“Can you state the six rights of medication administration?”
Read reports →“Would you hesitate to shoot a prisoner who is trying to flee or escape?”
Read reports →“What is your course of action if a juvenile tells you they are feeling suicidal?”
Read reports →“What would you do if you witnessed a correctional officer giving contraband to an inmate?”
Read reports →“What would you do if you found a student who was unresponsive in the barracks?”
Read report →“What would you do if a resident, known for making false claims about staff, alleged she was touched by a staff member last night and couldn't continue living at the facility?”
Read report →“What would you do if you found a fellow officer sleeping while on duty?”
Read report →“What would you do if you dropped and broke an inmate's radio during a cell search and the inmate saw it?”
Read report →“An inmate informs you, while you're in the control room, about a fire in the dormitory. How do you respond?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 40 North Carolina Department of Public Safety interview reports.