Deputy Sheriff

Join Our Team Now To Receive A One-Time Bonus Payment Of $5,000

Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program BeAFloridaHero.com Persons who gain or are appointed as full-time Certified Law Enforcement Officers with a Florida criminal justice agency on or after July 1, 2022 and who have never previously been employed as a Law Enforcement Officer within the State of Florida, are eligible for a One-Time Bonus Payment of $5,000. Bonus payments are considered to be taxable income, and will be issued by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in the gross amount of $6,694 (includes $1,694 for the payment of taxes). The DEO remains responsible for issuing payments and enforcing repayment, should the recipient leave employment as a Law Enforcement Officer before the two-year agreement has been completed. Additional Program Information is available here.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026, STARTING SALARY UP TO $78,557 FOR SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE

This position performs general law enforcement work with the responsibility of preservation and protection of life and property, the prevention and investigation of crime, the maintenance of good public order, the enforcement of civil and criminal law and other related duties as directed or assigned. 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 forest patrol, search and rescue, mental health unit, and homeless outreach street team, 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, Captain, Chief, Assistant Sheriff, and the Sheriff. Performance is evaluated through reports, personal contact, inspection, examination, discussions, and appropriate employee performance appraisals. The position adheres to the agency core values of honesty and integrity, accountability, teamwork, trust and respect and commitment to excellence and acts in accordance with the Canon of Law Enforcement Ethics. To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate competency in local, state and federal statutes and ordinances, officer safety, firearms proficiency, knowledge of geographical jurisdiction, defensive and control tactics, conflict resolution, general communication skills (both written and oral), inter-personal skills, problem solving, driving, team building skills and interviewing skills.

Essential Duties

The essential duties of this position include:

• Pursue and effect the immediate apprehension and arrest of persons suspected of committing criminal violations directed to his/her attention.
• Investigate all complaints which are assigned or brought to his/her attention and report or take law enforcement action in those cases under the jurisdiction of LCSO.
• Provide citizens with general information, advice, etc., whenever possible.
• Prevent the commission of crimes, suppress all forms of commercialized vice, and detain and apprehend criminals.
• Under no circumstances make public any information that may jeopardize the successful completion of an investigation or the apprehension of a perpetrator.
• Observe all persons who arouse suspicion and investigate within the parameters of law any person whose appearance, conduct, or presence seems suspicious. Upon the interview of such persons, attempt to obtain information which will aid the reduction of criminal activity.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the boundaries of Leon County in relation to neighboring counties and be familiar with the proper names and locations of all streets, avenues, terraces, roads, drives, places, courts, main thoroughfares, alleys, public buildings, hospitals, and any other landmark locations in Leon County.
• Be thoroughly familiar with criminal laws and keep up to date with all new changes in Florida State Statutes; also, be familiar with Federal Law and County Ordinances.
• Provide rescue and first aid services in response to accidents, disasters, or other emergency situations.
• Provide referral and follow-up services to resolve domestic and civil crises.
• Advise merchants and the general public regarding suitable crime prevention methods.
• Constantly be 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 in accordance with agency policy.
• Respond to situations involving in-progress or recent criminal activity, restore or maintain order, then gather information and evidence accordingly.
• Patrol assigned areas and give particular attention to and re-check locations where public nuisance and crime hazard is great.
• Be available for service at all times while on duty either by radio or telephone.
• Write all reports as directed in agency policy and procedures; complete and relinquish all reports prior to completing a work shift, unless authorized by a supervisor.
• Take into official custody property that has been lost, stolen, or abandoned in accordance with agency policy and procedures.
• Testify in court or depositions as necessary.
• Conduct in-depth investigations of criminal incidents, either independently or as part of a coordinated effort.
• Observe, report, and whenever feasible, follow-up on conditions which pose potential threats to public safety and health.
• Maintain an alert and military bearing upon the streets or while in a vehicle.
• Maintain cleanliness and operational readiness of all assigned equipment.
• May, on a limited or occasional basis, assist in other areas of the agency.
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Deputy Sheriff Assigned To Forest Or Search And Rescue Will Perform These Additional Duties:

• Responsible for all search and rescue coordination with the US National Forest Service, Search and Rescue Volunteers as well as State Emergency Management.
• Manages the coordinated response to catastrophic events such as wildfires, floods, nuisance bear and alligator complaints.
• Patrol the Apalachicola National Forest to include hunting camps, parks, and ATV trails.
• Provide safety reports on forest trail conditions as well as equestrian trails, bike trails, and hiking trails.

Deputy Sheriff Assigned To Homeless Outreach Street Team Or Mental Health Unit Will Perform These Additional Duties:

• Respond to in-progress calls for service involved individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Work closely with a Crisis Response Specialist and behavioral health providers and follow-up with individuals to ensure appropriate referral to behavioral health services.
• Conduct investigations and referrals to assist homeless individuals in obtaining services through social service organizations to help them gain employment, housing, alcohol/drug treatment, food, and others needs related to homelessness.
• Work closely with social service professionals to ensure on-going support and follow-up on referrals.

Deputy Sheriff Assigned To School Resource Unit Will Perform These Additional Duties:

• Provide security and safety on Leon County School Campuses.
• Counsel and educate youth.
• Identify and check-in with at risk youth.
• Be familiar with community resources that aid youth and their families.
• Promote a positive view and aspect of law enforcement.
• Present various subjects to provide youth with a basic understanding of laws.
• Foster positive relationships with school administrations within the guidelines of the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
• Participate in youth programs, mentor, and coaching.
• Familiar with and able to document threat assessments.
• Conduct initial screening interviews and needs assessments to identify service needs of individuals who have been designated at-risk for violence.
• Connect high-risk individuals with appropriate community service providers by issuing needs-based referrals.
• Serve as an advocate to connect clients to services. Assist with navigating provider and governmental bureaucracies that can be intimidating or confusing.

Deputy Sheriff Assigned To CSMB Will Perform These Additional Duties:

• Build trust-based relationships with men and boys at risk for violence through outreach and direct engagement.
• Conduct initial screening interviews and needs assessments to identify service needs of individuals who have been designated at-risk for violence.
• Connect high-risk individuals with appropriate community service providers by issuing needs-based referrals.
• Conduct follow-up with clients to track referral outcomes and address any barriers to access