Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 50660801	Description Activated On: 9/10/2025 2:44:34 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

Serves as a trainer in the Pennsylvania State Police Instant Check System (PICS) for all new employees and transfers to PICS Operations as needed with staffing requirements.

Prepares and maintains up-to-date training materials for PICS Operations and maintains accuracy with any policy and statutory changes in State and Federal law. Assists with annual and update training amongst PICS Operations and PICS Challenge Section.

Gathers and reviews available information in order to approve/disapprove an applicant’s request to purchase a firearm or acquire a license to carry a firearm. Determinations are made in accordance with the operational requirements of the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS).

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

60% 1. Serves as a primary trainer for all new employees and transfers within PICS Operations. Design training materials as needed. Keep current all training materials updated in order to stay up to date with current State and Federal law as well as Pennsylvania State Police policy and regulations. Train employees through the Operations training phases in order to assist Legal Assistant 1’s and Legal Assistant 2’s to be able to make independent decisions in regard to determinations. Complete all necessary reports and observations for trainees that document their progress through the training phases. Train trainees on all applicable programs and software that PICS Operations utilizes on a daily basis in their daily operations. Monitor progress of accuracy through the training phases up to including spot-checking approvals of any probationary employee as determined by Supervision.

20% 2. Acts as an operator for the Pennsylvania Instant Check System, making independent decisions on approval or disapproval of a firearm purchase/license to carry applicant including PICS Background Check Requests for Evidence Returns. Determines whether the applicant is the same individual who has been identified by a criminal history record, PFA, or mental health record. Determines if an applicant is wanted based on the provided information. Follows procedures for apprehension of wanted persons which includes verifying the warrant with the issuing agency and having local police dispatched to the scene. Gathers information for Supervisor Review for the approval/disapproval determinations by interpreting current and former state/federal laws as they apply to a purchase/license to carry.

10% 3. Reviews change to the laws, regulations, and policies that regulate unit operations (i.e. CLEAN/NLETS).

5% 4. Attend any applicable training in order to assist with the responsibilities of being a trainer.

5% 5. Miscellaneous Duties: Complies with unit operational procedures by processing and documenting all necessary information in a timely manner. Performs any other related duties at the discretion of the Supervisor.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

When training trainees, decisions will have to be made as to if trainees are progressing in a timely manner in order to move them into the next phase of training which will eventually prepare them to become independent decision-makers.

Researches available databases and contacts appropriate agencies to determine an individual’s ability to purchase a firearm or obtain a license to carry a firearm.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

U.S. citizenship is required for this position.

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) Certificate

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Serve as a primary trainer for PICS Operations. Maintain confidentiality.
2.	Possess quality public speaking skills.
3.	Ability to teach trainees and adapt training styles as needed.
4.	Make determinations for PICS checks approvals and/or denials.
5.	Possess exceptional organizational skills.
6.	Ability to create training materials on PowerPoint or any application programming.
7.	Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
8.	Demonstrate excellent writing skills.
9.	Make suggestions as needed to enhance PICS Operations training.
10.	U.S. citizenship is required to access state and federal databases.