Cadet to Deputy Sheriff (Certified)

Job Posting

This job advertisement serves the purpose of hiring for both Cadet (non-certified) and Deputy Sheriff (certified) positions. Based on proven qualifications, your application, and answers to questions within the application, you will be placed in the classification and pay that is appropriate.

Starting salary:

Cadet I: $20.47/hour ($42,580 annual)

Cadet II: $23.02/hour ($47,880 annual)

Recruit: $24.26/hour ($50,460 annual)

Deputy Sheriff: $26.44/hour ($55,000 annual)

At the Sheriff's discretion, a full-time certified Deputy Sheriff with prior law enforcement experience with an agency with more than 100 sworn personnel is considered a lateral hire and may be awarded one step in the ECSO Step Plan for each two (2) years of previous experience. For example, the starting salary for a lateral hire with twenty (20) years of full-time experience with an agency with more than 100 sworn personnel may be placed at Step 10 in the ECSO Step Plan.

Cadet I/II:

Under general supervision, the purpose of the Cadet position is to prepare a non-certified applicant (Cadet) for a career in law enforcement. While in the Cadet I/Cadet II status, the applicant participates and engages in formal and in-house training. The work activities are specifically designed and chosen to train and indoctrinate the individual in the field of law enforcement.

The selected applicant agrees to perform work as assigned by the Administration OIC or their designee.

The overall premise of the Cadet I or Cadet II position is to advance to be selected to attend the Law Enforcement Academy, when eligible (at the ECSO's discretion, minimum age of 21). Applicants at this stage would advance to the level of Recruit at a starting salary of $24.26/hour ($50,460 annual). If selected to attend the Law Enforcement Academy, applicant will be employed full-time while attending the law enforcement academy. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office will provide the needed training, equipment, and the state exam fee with the condition that the applicant sign a 2-year contract to work as a full-time Deputy Sheriff for the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, beginning once the applicant passes the State Officer Certification Exam.

Deputy Sheriff:

This class is assigned to perform crime prevention and investigation activities.

This position requires the successful completion of a Florida Basic Law Enforcement Academy (or equivalency of training program) and passing of the Florida State Officer Certification Exam.

If not already, this position will require certification in law enforcement by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Cadet I/II:

• Enforce parking regulations and violations, including issuing parking citations.
• Assist the Investigations Division with collection and processing of evidence.
• Provide clerical assistance, as needed, within the Sheriff's Office.
• Provide manpower assistance to the Sheriff's Office Training Unit.
• Attend regular training classes in law enforcement.
• Attend various functions representing the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

In addition to the above, if applicant is selected to attend the Law Enforcement Academy:

• Attend classes, lectures, demonstrations, and exercises.
• Trains on-the-job by performing routine work assignments in the functional area for which training is prescribed.
• Perform other duties of similar nature or level in classroom setting.

Deputy Sheriff:

• Responds to calls for service or complaints from citizens.
• Patrols an assigned area to enforce local, State, and Federal laws, including applicable traffic laws and related traffic control activities.
• Participates in investigating crimes, which includes collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and securing crime scenes.
• Prepares detailed and accurate reports, records, statistics, and/or logs on daily activities.
• Renders emergency assistance at accidents and/or catastrophic situations.
• Serves civil and criminal warrants and/or other legal processes utilizing established rules of civil process; apprehends criminals and makes arrests.
• Transports suspects and/or applicable individuals to appropriate facilities and/or locations.
• Attends court to testify in trials and/or participates in depositions.
• Employees may be assigned to various units (Investigations, Forfeitures, Training, Court Security, etc.) that will require unit specific job duties.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

All applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered minimally qualified for the job:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.
• Be a United States Citizen.
• Possess a valid driver's license at the time of application and meet the driving history requirements.
• Must have had no illegal drug use within the past six months.
• Must pass a physical abilities test, CVSA, background investigation, drug screen, medical evaluation, physical and psychological examination

To be qualified at the level of Cadet II, applicant must meet at least ONE (1) of the below criteria (proof will be required):

• Associate's degree or higher, or
• Military veteran with an HONORABLE discharge or a current member of any reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Florida National Guard with a minimum of two (2) years of experience, or
• Certified Corrections officer with a minimum of two (2) years of experience, or
• Out-of-state Law Enforcement officer with a minimum of two (2) years of experience

To be qualified for DEPUTY SHERIFF, applicant must meet the below criteria (proof will be required):

Completion of a Florida basic training program for Law Enforcement approved by the CJSTC and passed the Florida state officer certification examination.

Physical Ability Test (PAT) requirements:

You will be required to take and pass a Physical Ability Test (P.A.T.) at the beginning of the pre-employment process in order to proceed. The P.A.T. will be conducted generally on the second Tuesday of every month or on a pre-selected date as determined by agency administration. An applicant may be allowed three (3) attempts within a calendar year to successfully complete this testing if extended additional invitations are sent.

A Physician's Clearance Form (will be provided, if invited) clearing an applicant for participation will be required.

The P.A.T. is conducted in a time-dependent, continuous flow manner. The P.A.T. determines the participants level of physical condition and aerobic capacity. This course must be completed in under 6 minutes and 4 seconds (6:04). The tasks associated with this test measure specific physical abilities which include:

• Exiting a vehicle/opening a trunk
• Running 220 yards
• Completing an obstacle course
• Dragging a 150-pound dummy
• Completing the obstacle course a second time
• Running 220 yards
• Dry firing a weapon six (6) time with each hand
• Placing items in and closing trunk/entering a vehicle

The link below will provide a detailed overview of the essential functions and steps incorporated in a standardized PAT test taken with our agency and will help you understand how to prepare for this assessment

Licensing Requirements (for Deputy Sheriff):

CJSTC certification

FDLE certification

Knowledge (position requirements at entry for Deputy Sheriff):

Basic investigative techniques and procedures

Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes