DOT Inspection?

[Fox241]

Hello,
My name is Gregg and I'm trying to get some information on how to become a DOT Inspector.. Currently reside North of Pittsburgh and have been in the diesel tech field for the past 5 years and have obtained my class 7J state inspection license and class A CDL, I've done numerous state and DOT inspection and very confident my work. I've been contemplating on a new career path yet I don't want to steer away from the credentials I hold and something I enjoy to do.*
My questions are,
1. Does one have to be a Leo to obtain this position?
2. What's the pay like?
3. I've got a sleeve of tattoos on my right arm, will that affect in any way?
4. Is it worth pursuing as a career?

I'd appreciate any help and my goal is to stay in the field without holding a wrench in my hand.. I come from a family of law enforcement and military, I'd enjoy being a Leo but from what I've read I'm a bit s o l *due to the ink.*
Thanks!

[Blackgoat06]

I THINK you can actually get a job through the state (PennDOT) doing the same thing but what I do know is working for a police department you will need to go to a class that is at least two weeks long but my guess is your department wouldn't send you to it unless they 1. Needed/wanted one and 2. You had been working for the department for a few years. If you're working for a police department the pay will be whatever normal pay is. It's just a specialized assignment and in some smaller departments you may not even do it every day.

We had a member on here that was one but he isn't very active anymore. He'd be a better source than me. The tattoo thing would depend on the department. What's your criminal background like (drug use, tickets, arrest etc.)?

[Fox241]

"What's *your criminal background like (drug use, tickets, arrest etc.)?"

I've had my CDL since I was 18 and currently 22, never had the desire to touch drugs being I've always had to pee in a cup every other month to keep my job. Got nailed 2 years ago with running a stop sign and obtained 3 points on my license so I'd be down to one point I think as of today?.. Never been arrested but was cited for damaging borough property when I was 16-17? and completed 40 hours community service, tried taking down a street sign to hang In the garage "John Deere dr"*
And that's about it... I've got a relatively clean record I think, also a big gun nut so I've never had an issue obtaining a fire arm or ccw.*
Thanks*for the help!

[Blackgoat06]

Not sure about up north but full time jobs are tough to get here east of Pittsburgh. I've been part time with two jobs for about six years now. The member I spoke of earlier worked out east in York county.

[Fox241]

I've heard from some friends lately that penndot hasn't been hiring much and if they are they're not the jobs wanted. *Besides that think there's any chance of becoming a Leo ? I don't have many friends in law enforcement but I always pondered the thought of it.. My main concern is the tattoos but I've met a northern regional that had a half sleeve and seen a Pittsburgh cop with sleeves on both arms, which sparked some hope in my mind.*
Thoughts? Ideas?*
Thank you Blackgoat for the in sight you have given me so far.

[Blackgoat06]

I've heard from some friends lately that penndot hasn't been hiring much and if they are they're not the jobs wanted. *Besides that think there's any chance of becoming a Leo ? I don't have many friends in law enforcement but I always pondered the thought of it.. My main concern is the tattoos but I've met a northern regional that had a half sleeve and seen a Pittsburgh cop with sleeves on both arms, which sparked some hope in my mind.*
Thoughts? Ideas?*
Thank you Blackgoat for the in sight you have given me so far.

Your background looks OK. The damaging borough property could be an issue but it was 5 years ago so you may be OK. Usually here though you have to send yourself to the academy first, as departments won't pay you to go or pay for you to go. There is a part time academy that runs nights and weekends geared to the working man. I think the full time academy is about 5 months now, whereas the part time academy runs about a year.

I don't know of many departments around here that have a tattoo policy, so that probably wouldn't affect you much.