| Location | Durham, NC |
| Salary | $110,000–$162,000 Per Year |
Chief of Police - Town of Duck
Salary
See Position Description
Location
Duck, NC
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-39
Employer
Town of Duck
Opening Date
10/30/2026
Closing Date
11/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
About Us
Position Closes November 30, 2026
Lead a Turn-Key Police Department in a Unique and Engaged Coastal Community
The picturesque and charming Town of Duck, North Carolina, seeks a seasoned, strategic, and community-focused law enforcement executive to serve as its next Chief of Police.
This leadership opportunity calls for a collaborative and forward-thinking professional who will build upon the department's strong foundation of excellence, its high-performing team, and the trust and credibility already established within the community. The ideal candidate will provide a clear vision for the future while fostering a culture of teamwork, transparent communication, sound judgment, and accountability. A commitment to public service, effective law enforcement, and maintaining strong community relationships will be essential to sustaining the department's success and guiding its continued growth.
About the Community:
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, Duck is a small coastal town known for its beaches, locally owned shops and restaurants, and welcoming walkable village atmosphere. Since incorporating in 2002, the Town has worked to preserve the character that makes it unique. The sound side boardwalk and 11-acre Town Park give residents and visitors places to gather, enjoy the outdoors, and take in the beauty of the coast.
With approximately 740 year-round residents, Duck's population swells to an estimated 20,000 or more during the summer as vacationers and seasonal homeowners arrive to enjoy the area. The busy season brings a boost to local businesses and plenty of activity, along with the added responsibility of keeping the community welcoming and safe for residents and visitors alike.
Located in northern Dare County, Duck is part of the larger Outer Banks region, known for its maritime history, outdoor recreation, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. Neighboring communities, including Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills, offer additional shopping, dining, and services, while Manteo has a historic downtown and waterfront. Fishing, boating, kayaking, and exploring nature trails and Cape Hatteras National Seashore are just some of the ways to enjoy the areas natural beauty.
Duck also offers a variety of community events throughout the year. Annual traditions include a Fourth of July parade and community celebration, a free fall Jazz Festival at Town Park, guided nature walks along the soundside boardwalk, and the Duck Yuletide Celebration, featuring holiday music, family activities, a tree lighting, and Santa's arrival. These events reflect the Town's welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community.
With its coastal charm, strong sense of community, and seasonal influx of visitors, the Town offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for a public safety leader to serve both year-round residents and a vibrant summer population.
About the Organization, Department and Position:
The Town of Duck operates under the council-manager form of government, with a five-member Town Council serving as the legislative and policy-making body and the Town Manager overseeing daily municipal operations. With a FY-2026-27 budget of $13.7 million. The Town's internal culture is grounded in its SOAR values-Service, Ownership, Accountability, and Respect-which reflect a shared commitment to integrity, collaboration, personal responsibility, and continuous improvement in service to the community and in support of one another.
The Chief of Police reports directly to the Town Manager and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Police Department. For FY 2026-27, the department has a budget of $2.8 million, which the Chief is responsible for developing and managing, including providing police-related input for the Town's Capital Improvement Plan. The Chief directly supervises two lieutenants-the Patrol Lieutenant and Administrative Lieutenant-and shares supervision of an administrative staff member.
The Chief oversees patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and related law enforcement activities. The position includes strategic planning, establishing short- and long-term departmental goals and objectives, developing and administering operating and capital budgets, overseeing personnel and resources, and establishing departmental policies, procedures, and standards of performance.
The Chief also advises the Town Manager and Town Council on law enforcement issues, works with other law enforcement agencies on crime prevention and investigative activities, and collaborates in preparing the Town and department for emergency conditions, storm mitigation, and recovery.
Duties/Responsibilities
Key Position Priorities:
The incoming Chief of Police will have the opportunity to build on the Police Department's strengths, support its dedicated personnel, and help shape the future of public safety in Duck. Key priorities over the next one to three years include:
Qualifications
Qualifications:
Transfers: In-state candidates may transfer their law enforcement officer certification to another agency in NC provided he/she has less than a 12-month break in service at time of appointment. In-state candidates with less than a three-year break in NC service may receive partial credit toward basic law enforcement training. Out-of-state candidates who are serving or have served as a local or state law enforcement officer must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring and cannot have a break in full-time service exceeding three years at the time of appointment. Individuals with Federal law enforcement officer certification who have not had a break in service exceeding three years at the time of appointment may receive partial credit toward NC basic law enforcement training. NC does recognize and give partial credit for military police (MP) training if the candidate has completed a formal military basic training program and been awarded a military police occupational specialty rating and has served as a military police officer for not less than two of the five years preceding the date of appointment.
The Successful Candidate will:
Additional Information
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for the position is $110,000 - 162,000. Starting salary is dependent on qualifications and experience. The Town of Duck offers a comprehensive employee benefits package for its full-time employees and public safety personnel, including, full health, dental, and vision coverage for employees, paid vacation leave, 401(k) contributions, participation in the Local Government Employees' Retirement System. A complete review of benefits can be found here.
Note: While Town residency is not required, the successful applicant must live within a 45-minute drive during normal commuting times and conditions.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Chief of Police - Town of Duck, NC job title.
Note: If you have accessed this position from within the Government Jobs portal, simply hit the green "Apply" button in the upper-right corner to begin your application.
The Town of Duck, NC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The recruitment and selection process is being managed by Developmental Associates, LLC. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select "Client Openings," and scroll down to "Important Information for Applicants."
Benefits are specific to the employing organization. Please refer to the benefits information that is in the ad as well as in the recruitment brochure. If you need further information, please contact the employer associated with the position
01
CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLOSURE AND APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Developmental Associates works on behalf of this client to recruit and collect information on candidates for this position. All applicant materials will be shared with the employer and their employees who are involved in the hiring process for this position. This application process uses a combination of automated and hand scoring of all application materials against screening criteria that have been established by the employer. 1) By submitting this application, I am consenting to have my application materials shared with this employer. 2) I understand that if I have not completely and fully answered all application questions and/ or supplemental questions with details, my application may not be accurately evaluated. 3) Further, I understand that merely referring to my resume (e.g. "see resume" in lieu of providing detailed responses) is not sufficient for purposes of ensuring accurate application evaluation.
02
The ideal candidate will have at least a bachelors degree. What is your highest degree?
03
Of which of the following executive law enforcement training programs are you a graduate, if any? (Please select all that apply by clicking on the desired items while holding the CTRL key. For Mac users, use the SHIFT-COMMAND keys to select multiple options).
04
If you answered Equivalent Long Course above, please list the course name, institution, location and dates attended or indicate N/A.
05
How many cumulative years of sworn law enforcement experience do you have?
06
There is a strong preference for a minimum of 5 years of managerial experience at a Command level or higher in a comparably sized or larger agency. How many years of administrative or command experience do you have in your highest rank?
07
This position requires progressive leadership experience in law enforcement roles. What is the highest rank you achieved in a law enforcement leadership role?
08
Are you currently a certified full-time local, state or military law enforcement officer?
09
If you answered No to the question above concerning law enforcement certification, please enter your separation date from full-time law enforcement service or enter N/A.
10
Transfers: An officer holding probationary certification may not laterally transfer from one law enforcement agency to another. The probationary period must be completed in its entirety at the same agency. If an officer terminates employment with one agency before his or her year is up, then he or she must start a new probationary period at the new agency. In-state candidates with less than a three-year break in NC service may receive partial credit toward basic law enforcement training. Out-of-state transferees will be evaluated to determine the amount and quality of their training and experience. At a minimum, out-of-state candidates must have two years of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience and must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring and cannot have a break in full-time service exceeding three years at the time of appointment. Individuals with Federal law enforcement officer certification who have not had a break in service exceeding three years at the time of appointment may receive partial credit toward NC basic law enforcement training. NC does recognize and give partial credit for military police (MP) training if the candidate has completed a formal military basic training program and been awarded a military police occupational specialty rating and has served as a military police officer for not less than two of the five years preceding the date of appointment. By selecting yes below, you indicate your acknowledge of these regulations regarding transfers.
11
What level operating budget have you personally and directly been responsible for managing?
12
What is the largest population in a community where you have served as a member of the law enforcement command staff (Captain or higher)?
13
What is the total number of employees (sworn and non-sworn) in the largest DEPARTMENT in which you have served in a law enforcement management level or higher?
14
What is the largest number of people for whom you have held managerial responsibility (direct and downline)?
15
In which of the following have you served for more than five years during your career:
16
If you answered other in the prior question, please describe:
17
I understand that the salary range for this position is $110,000-$162,000. Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience.
18
The Town is using a multi-step screening and evaluation process, including a skill evaluation process for selecting the next Chief of Police. The virtual skill evaluation process dates are January 7-8, 2026. Participation as a candidate involves engaging in 2-3 activities to assess key competencies. This is a time investment of about 2 hours of engagement during the 2-day process, not including preparation time. These are not public meetings, but there will be substantial interaction with other professionals in the field who will serve as assessors. Further, we have all participants sign letters of confidentiality. NC Law does not require the announcement of applicants until a finalist is selected. The "yes" below indicates your understanding of these process elements.
Required Question
Employer Developmental Associates, LLC
Address Durham
Durham, North Carolina, 27707