Deputy Sheriff

Law Enforcement Position

This is an FDLE certified position for Law Enforcement. If you are looking for Law Enforcement Academy sponsorship, look for the Deputy Sheriff Cadet position to obtain your Florida certification. Certified candidates require two (2) years of certified Law Enforcement or certified Corrections experience, or similar qualifying military experience.

Responsible work of a general law enforcement nature with primary emphasis on the protection of life and property and the routine enforcement of federal, state, and local laws. Work involves an element of personal danger. Employees must be able to act effectively without direct supervision and to exercise discretion, caution, common sense, reasonable calmness, and self-control under adverse conditions while maintaining control of a particular situation or emergency. Duties may involve other special assignments of similar complexity including providing assistance to those who are unable to care for themselves, the intoxicated, addicted, mentally ill, physically disabled, and persons of all ages. Work may be performed either in uniform or plain clothes, on foot or in an automobile, and on any assigned shift. Employees report to a designated Sergeant and are responsible to their Lieutenant, Division Commander, Major, Undersheriff, and the Sheriff. Performance is evaluated through reports, personal contact, inspection, examination, discussions, and appropriate employee performance appraisals.

The official duties of this position may be initiated by the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Major of Operations, Patrol Division Commander, Patrol Lieutenants, Patrol Sergeants, Patrol Deputy Sheriffs, CCC Telecommunicators, Citizen's request, or self-initiated.

Examples of duties include: pursuing and effecting the immediate apprehension and arrest of persons suspected of committing criminal violations, investigating all complaints which are assigned or brought to his/her attention and reporting or taking law enforcement action in those cases under the jurisdiction of ACSO, providing citizens with general information, advice, etc., preventing the commission of crimes, suppressing all forms of commercialized vice, and detaining and apprehending criminals, observing all persons who arouse suspicion and investigating any person whose appearance, conduct, or presence seems suspicious, being thoroughly familiar with the boundaries of Alachua County in relation to neighboring counties and being familiar with the proper names and locations of all streets, avenues, terraces, roads, drives, places, courts, main thoroughfares, alleys, public buildings, hospitals, etc., in Alachua County, being thoroughly familiar with criminal laws and keeping up to date with all new changes in Florida State Statutes; also, being familiar with Federal Law and County Ordinances, providing rescue and first aid services in response to accidents, disasters, or other emergency situations, providing referral and follow-up services to resolve domestic and civil crises, advising merchants and the general public regarding suitable crime prevention methods, constantly being on alert to cultivate sources of information that will aid in the solving of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the suppression of vice and organized crime, and establishing informants, responding to situations involving in-progress or recent criminal activity, restoring or maintaining order, then gathering information and evidence accordingly, patrolling assigned areas and giving particular attention to and re-checking locations where crime hazard is great, being available for service at all times while on duty either by radio or telephone, writing all reports as directed in agency policy and procedures; completing and relinquishing all reports prior to completing a work shift, unless authorized by a supervisor, taking into official custody property that has been lost, stolen, or abandoned in accordance with agency policy and procedures, testifying in court or depositions as necessary, conducting in-depth investigations of criminal incidents, either independently or as part of a coordinated effort, observing, reporting, and whenever feasible, following up on conditions which pose potential threats to public safety and health, maintaining an alert and military bearing upon the streets or while in a vehicle, maintaining cleanliness and operational readiness of all assigned equipment, assisting in other areas of the agency on a limited or occasional basis, and serving judicial process as directed.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of specific job functions or tasks does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the position.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

High School/GED - Required

Associate's Degree or better - Preferred

Preferred Major(s): Criminal Justice or other related field

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Two (2) or more years of experience in a sworn law enforcement or certified corrections capacity at an agency in Florida. Must be in good standing/eligible for rehire. Will consider two (2) years of experience in a sworn federal or out-of-state sworn law enforcement or certified corrections capacity (provided you are in good standing/eligible for rehire and have completed EOT-eligibility requirements and re-certification in your discipline in Florida) or two (2) years relevant active-duty military experience (honorable discharge or eligible for same).
• Meet or exceed all applicable standards required by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (FCJSTC)
• Successfully complete all ACSO Field Training requirements

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING:

• Current, valid CJSTC/FDLE Law Enforcement Certification
• Current, valid Florida driver license

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must be of good moral character with no felony or misdemeanor convictions involving moral character or false statements
• No tattoos that depict violence, gang affiliations, and/or illegal substances or activities
• Must live within twenty (20) air miles of the nearest Alachua County line to be permitted to drive their agency-issued vehicle home

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit/stand for extended periods of time
• See/hear at normal range
• Speak, read, write, and understand English fluently
• Ambulate independently
• Lift/carry 150 pounds
• Push/pull moderate to heavy loads
• Bend and squat
• Manual dexterity
• Drive a vehicle
• Pass ACSO's standard Physical Agility Test as required
• Pass ACSO's Firearms and Defensive Tactics courses as required
• Pass ACSO's various Driving tests as required
• Pass all other courses/training as mandated by ACSO and/or FCJSTC

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of current federal, state, and local laws as well as agency rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of issued equipment, inspection procedures, and safety procedures
• Awareness of available agency and community resources
• Knowledge of proper administrative procedures
• Good knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Skilled in the use and care of firearms, the operation of law enforcement vehicles, and other required law enforcement equipment
• Ability to act effectively in extremely divergent interpersonal settings
• Ability to analyze problems quickly and take appropriate action under stress
• Ability to apply modern law enforcement principles and procedures to solve practical problems; to handle sensitive and hostile public contacts
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to comprehend and follow orders
• Ability to obtain relevant and accurate information through interview, interrogation, and observation
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others
• Ability to maintain the physical condition needed to affect arrests, subdue resisting individuals, chase fleeing suspects, lift and carry both equipment and injured persons, force entry into buildings, climb flights of stairs, walk, stand, sit or drive for long periods of time, endure exposure to extreme weather, and perform lifesaving procedures such as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support
• Ability to maintain the mental alertness needed to observe activities and implement appropriate action
• Ability to maintain emotional and psychological stability
• Ability to remember names, faces, details of incidents, and physical surroundings