LAW ENFORCEMENT CORPORAL - 42001806 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida

3d • $63,000 - $69,300 • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent in this position is responsible for law enforcement activities as specified in Section 570.65, Florida Statutes. The incumbent in this position is responsible for directing the daily activities of law enforcement officers and the operation and management of agricultural inspection stations in the absence of the Law Enforcement Sergeant. These acts include, but are not limited to, 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. Each law enforcement corporal shall meet the qualifications of law enforcement officers established by Chapter 943, Florida Statutes. Each corporal is subject to and has the same arrest, jurisdiction and other authority provided for state law enforcement officers in Chapter 901, Florida Statutes. Each corporal also has the same right and authority to carry arms as do the sheriffs of this state.

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.

One of the primary missions of 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.

Assists the supervisor (sergeant) with maintaining the shift's day to day operations. These duties include, but are not limited to, reviewing forms and reports for accuracy and completeness, preparing shift schedules, ensuring vehicles and stations are properly maintained, ensuring evidence and property are properly collected and documented and any other task deemed necessary by the shift supervisor. When the shift supervisor is off duty the corporal will have shift supervision duties until the supervisor returns to duty.

Specified vehicles are required to stop for agricultural inspection at inspection stations and roving inspection points with those failing to stop being pursued and apprehended. Roving patrol vehicles cover lesser used roads. 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 corporal 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 corporal 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.

Citrus, avocado, lime and tomato shipments and accompanying documents are inspected to verify conformance with applicable Federal-State Marketing Orders. Vegetable shipments are verified against manifests and vehicles contents are recorded and reported. Outgoing watermelon and flower shipments are recorded and reported. Data are recorded and checked for compliance with registration requirements. Meat products are recorded and reported. Dairy products are recorded. Intra and interstate shipments of livestock and accompanying documents are inspected and verified to enforce compliance with applicable health requirements and quarantines; data are collected and reported on all livestock shipments. Feed, seed, fertilizer and treated fence post shipments are checked for compliance with state law and recorded and reported. Hay and harvesting equipment from quarantined areas are checked for fumigation certification. Nursery shipments, Christmas trees, sod, etc. are checked for required inspection certificates and recorded and reported.

In the performance of duties, the corporal frequently contacts and consults with supervisors in determining the disposition of a given violation. Such disposition may involve further investigation, arrests, or turning over to another law enforcement agency. When a vehicle subject to inspection passes an inspection station, the corporal gives pursuit and may make an arrest. When an inspector on the corporal's shift encounters a violation which appears to require further investigation or arrest, the corporal may take over and conclude the case. At times the corporal may patrol lesser traveled roads. The corporal testifies in court in support of cases which were developed from his/her arrests.

In the routine operation of the agricultural inspection station, the corporal prepares, maintains and submits daily correspondence, records, etc., and is responsible for daily cleanliness of buildings, grounds, and equipment.

The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement also participates with various federal, state and local governmental agencies on numerous projects which either increases the efficiency of the agricultural programs or generates additional revenues of the state without increasing costs to the citizens of Florida. Corporals will participate in programs as required.

The Law Enforcement Corporal is authorized to use all modern law enforcement techniques including, but not limited to: arrests, search and seizure, planned and organized crime scene searches, sketching of diagrams, photography, processing of latent fingerprints, use of laboratory aids, and the collection and preservation of evidence.

Often the corporal is involved with the other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with the investigation of crime. It is incumbent that the corporal develop and maintain a close and harmonious relationship with all law enforcement and related agencies having jurisdiction over the suspected criminal activity or geographical area wherein the suspected criminal activity occurred. The corporal should be well informed regarding the names and positions of all key members of local law enforcement agencies, as well as other persons with similar responsibilities.

As a result of arrests, the corporal will be called upon to testify and present evidence in a court of law. The corporal will obey all court orders and subpoenas. The corporal will be thoroughly familiar with the case file, evidence and other relevant matters pertaining to the incident. The corporal will represent the department and present such testimony and evidence in a professional manner.

Corporals support the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) by assisting shift Field Training Officers by completing Daily Activity Reports (DORs) on Officers in Training (OIT). While the bulk of the Daily Activity Reports are completed by the shift Field Training Officer, Corporals are responsible for completing Daily Activity Reports on Officers in Training when the Field Training Officer is on leave. It is also recommended Corporals complete Daily Activity Reports on Officers in Training at least once while the OIT is navigating the FTEP Program.

Attending meetings, seminars and schools conducted by law enforcement agencies and to otherwise further professional training, keeping informed of recent court decisions, legislation and new law enforcement techniques is critical to this position.

Each corporal is responsible for submitting in a timely manner periodic reports of activities, expense vouchers, vehicle costs and maintenance reports, time and leave requests, authorizations to travel, professional educational credits and other related documents and reports as required.

Each corporal will perform other related tasks.

Requirements

• 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.
• United States Citizen.
• High School graduate or GED.
• 19 years of age or older.
• 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 law enforcement certificate in compliance with Florida Statute 943.
• One (1) year of sworn law enforcement experience with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement
• Applicants must successfully complete an oral review board and an evaluation to determine suitability and compatibility to perform the basic job function for consideration of employment
• Incumbent must demonstrate proficiency with Walther 9 mm weapon.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for law enforcement activities as specified in Section 570.65, Florida Statutes.
• Responsible for directing the daily activities of law enforcement officers and the operation and management of agricultural inspection stations in the absence of the Law Enforcement Sergeant.
• Assists the supervisor (sergeant) with maintaining the shift's day to day operations.
• Prepares shift schedules, ensuring vehicles and stations are properly maintained, ensuring evidence and property are properly collected and documented and any other task deemed necessary by the shift supervisor.
• Submitting in a timely manner concise detailed reports on activities for use by supervisors, state attorneys, courts and ultimate review by the public.
• Prepares, maintains and submits daily correspondence, records, etc., and is responsible for daily cleanliness of buildings, grounds, and equipment.
• Testify and present evidence in a court of law.
• Completing Daily Activity Reports (DORs) on Officers in Training (OIT).
• Submitting in a timely manner periodic reports of activities, expense vouchers, vehicle costs and maintenance reports, time and leave requests, authorizations to travel, professional educational credits and other related documents and reports as required.

Benefits

• Uniforms and Dry-cleaning Allowance
• Education and Training Incentive Payments
• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED