LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II - 42002405

State of Florida • Fort Myers, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement is hiring a Law Enforcement Investigator II to investigate criminal acts covered by Section 570.65, Florida Statutes. Investigations may involve domesticated animals, livestock, poultry, aquaculture products, farms and farm equipment, citrus, trespass, littering, forests and forest products, consumer protection, crimes on department property, emergencies, and related offenses. Investigators must meet Florida law enforcement officer qualifications and have the arrest, jurisdictional, and weapons authority provided by Florida law.

The position conducts specialized criminal investigations relating to state forests, consumer protection, agriculture, citrus, livestock, and related matters. Investigators use modern investigative methods, including crime-scene searches, diagrams, photography, latent fingerprint processing, laboratory resources, evidence collection and preservation, witness and suspect interviews, and background research. When evidence supports a criminal violation, investigators identify and seek to arrest perpetrators whenever possible.

Investigators coordinate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; maintain professional working relationships with relevant agencies; and testify in court, obey subpoenas and court orders, and present evidence professionally. The role also requires ongoing training and awareness of legal developments and investigative techniques, communication with supervisors about cases, and timely submission of detailed investigative, activity, expense, vehicle, time, travel, and other required reports.

This is a rural law enforcement position involving isolated work and potentially limited or no immediate backup while patrolling state forests, rural lands, and private wetlands. The work may require lifting heavy objects and moving obstacles across forests, hills, swamps, and lake areas, and may involve aggressive wildlife and extreme weather. An initial and annual CJSTC Physical Abilities Test and a swim test are required. The incumbent must demonstrate proficiency with a Walther 9 mm weapon.

The position requires rotating, compensated on-call assignments, availability for recall to duty, a working phone for non-duty contact, and flexible hours and schedules, including weekends and holidays. Investigators are assigned to a 160-hour, 28-day cycle. Duty station is St. Lucie County; headquarters is described as negotiable among Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties. Starting salary is $70,000.06.

Requirements

• United States citizen.
• High school graduate or GED.
• At least 19 years of age.
• Valid driver's license with no more than four moving traffic violations in the past three years.
• No conviction for driving a vehicle or operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance within the past five years.
• No refusal to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test within the past five years.
• No illegal cannabis use within the past two years.
• No use of illegal controlled substances other than cannabis within the past five years.
• No felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
• Good moral character.
• Active law enforcement certificate in compliance with Florida Statute 943, and applicable Florida Statute 943 qualifications.
• Three years of experience in sworn law enforcement, sworn investigations, or fire and arson investigations. Accredited college education may substitute at 30 semester or 45 quarter hours per year, for a maximum of one year of required experience.
• Successful completion of a urine drug test as a condition of employment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with a Walther 9 mm weapon.
• Ability to meet high physical fitness standards and complete an initial and annual CJSTC Physical Abilities Test and swim test. The untimed 150-yard continuous swim and the listed physical course tasks are required; the course excluding the swim must be completed in 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
• Ability to perform physical work including lifting heavy objects and moving obstacles across varied rural terrain, and to work in isolated conditions with limited or no immediate backup.
• Ability to work flexible hours and schedules, including weekends and holidays, and participate in rotating compensated on-call assignments with recall availability.
• Maintain phone service for contact during non-duty hours and keep the agency informed of current contact information.
• Knowledge of law enforcement and investigative principles and techniques, forest fire prevention and suppression techniques, and security and safety principles.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence, prepare and present training materials, coordinate activities with other law enforcement agencies, plan and organize a local law enforcement program, maintain effective working relationships, interview suspects and witnesses, and gather and submit physical evidence.
• Skills in operating assigned equipment, including firearms, surveillance equipment, radios, and handcuffs.

Responsibilities

• Investigate criminal acts within the jurisdiction described in Section 570.65, Florida Statutes, including offenses involving agriculture, livestock, citrus, forests, consumer protection, and department property.
• Use investigative techniques such as crime-scene searches, diagramming, photography, latent fingerprint processing, laboratory aids, and evidence collection and preservation.
• Interview witnesses and suspects and gather background information and records relevant to investigations.
• Identify suspects and seek their arrest when investigations provide evidence of criminal violations.
• Coordinate investigations with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and maintain professional working relationships with them.
• Testify in court, comply with court orders and subpoenas, and present evidence professionally.
• Attend law enforcement meetings, seminars, schools, and other training, and keep informed about court decisions, legislation, and investigative techniques.
• Keep the immediate supervisor, or the next available supervisor in the chain of command, informed about investigations and case status or disposition.
• Submit timely, concise, detailed investigative reports and periodic activity, expense, vehicle, time, leave, travel, training-credit, and other required reports.
• Patrol Florida State Forests, rural lands, and private wetlands, potentially while working in isolation with limited or no immediate backup.
• Complete required physical abilities and swim tests and maintain proficiency with the assigned weapon.
• Work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, and perform rotating compensated on-call assignments with availability for recall to duty.
• Perform other related tasks.

Benefits

• Required uniforms, equipment, and weapons provided at no cost.
• Annual $500 uniform maintenance allowance.
• Sworn employees may receive up to $130 monthly in education and training incentive payments for qualifying career development courses and/or an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
• Annual and sick leave.
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year.
• State group insurance options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
• Retirement plan options with 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