LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Law Enforcement Officer

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is seeking a Law Enforcement Officer. The headquarters for this position is located in Jackson County, however, this position may patrol the following, but not limited to, additional counties: Calhoun, Bay, Holmes and Washington.

Agricultural Law Enforcement Officer Duties:

• Law enforcement activities as specified in Section 570.65, Florida Statutes.
• Criminal violations involving domesticated animals, livestock, poultry, aquaculture products, farms and farm equipment, livery tack, citrus and citrus products, trespass, littering, forests, theft of forest products, protection of consumers, all criminal laws and civil traffic laws committed on property owned, managed, or occupied by the department, any emergency situation in which the life, limb, or property of any person is placed in danger and any crime incidental to or related thereof.
• The criminal law enforcement, prevention and suppression of crimes relating to agriculture, citrus, livestock and other related matters is a unique and highly technical and specialized field of criminal law enforcement requiring independent professional judgment.
• The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is to prevent the introduction into the state of plant and animal pests and diseases which may have a devastating affect on Florida agriculture.
• The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement manages and operates the Agricultural Inspection Stations, 24 hours a day, year-round, as well as utilizing roving patrols.
• Agricultural and horticultural products are inspected to determine compliance with various laws and regulations.
• Data is recorded and reported to supervisors and various divisions and agencies both within and outside the department.
• Each officer is responsible for ensuring that their immediate supervisor, and in the event their immediate supervisor is unavailable, or circumstances dictate, the next available supervisor in the Chain of Command, is informed of all matters relevant to law enforcement activities being conducted and the status and disposition of their activities.
• Each officer is responsible for submitting in a timely manner concise detailed reports on activities for use by supervisors, state attorneys, courts and ultimate review by the public.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of law enforcement and investigative principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of security and safety principles.
• Skills in writing reports, preparing and presenting training materials, coordinating activities with other law enforcement agencies.
• Skills in planning, organizing, and directing the local law enforcement program.
• Skills in the operation of assigned equipment such as: firearms, surveillance equipment, radios, and handcuffs.
• Ability to interview suspects and witnesses and to gather and submit physical evidence.

Additional Requirements:

• Occasional travel required.
• Minimum Qualifications:
• United States Citizen.
• High School graduate or GED.
• Must be 18 years of age to apply and 19 years of age by date of hire.
• Valid driver license with no more than four moving traffic violations within the past three years.
• Have not been convicted of driving a vehicle or operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance within the past five years.
• Have not refused to submit to a breath/blood/urine test within the last five years.
• Have not used cannabis illegally within the last two years.
• Have not used any illegal controlled substance, other than cannabis, within the last five years.
• Have not been convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement.
• Have not been dishonorably discharged from any of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
• Good moral character.
• Must possess active Florida law enforcement certificate in compliance with Florida Statute 943 or have passed the State Officer Certification Exam (SOCE) prior to date of hire.
• One of the following is required: One (1) year of law enforcement experience or Two (2) years of work experience or Two (2) years of active and continuous military service can substitute for the required work experience but will not substitute for the law enforcement certification; College education can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the work experience but will not substitute for the law enforcement certification.