LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (STATEWIDE OPPORTUNITY)

State of Florida • HAVANA, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement, is hiring law enforcement officers through a statewide advertisement to fill multiple vacancies. The role may be filled by certified and non-certified applicants. Officers are constituted state law enforcement officers under Florida law, certified by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and empowered to enforce state laws with full powers of arrest.

Officers protect life, limb, and property on Florida’s waters and lands. They enforce fish and wildlife laws and regulations, federal rules and regulations, and boating safety requirements, including rules governing saltwater and freshwater fisheries, hunting, and the protection of game and non-game species. Duties include investigating alleged resource-law violations, seizing evidence, making arrests, and testifying in court. Officers also provide general police protection for citizens and visitors using state lands and waters and may assist other agencies with securing and controlling areas during disasters, hurricanes, fires, and similar events.

The position requires independent judgment and the application of technical law enforcement knowledge with limited supervision. Officers are subject to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and must work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as directed. Training is conducted at the FWC Training Center in Havana, Florida, at the Florida Public Safety Institute. Florida-certified officers attend an abbreviated training course; out-of-state officers must obtain Florida law enforcement certification to qualify for that course.

Starting trainee salary is $60,000 annually. Upon assignment to the field, specified salaries vary by county of residence: Broward and Miami-Dade, $68,000; Collier and Lee, $63,000; Monroe, $70,000; and Palm Beach, $65,000. An additional $5,000 housing allowance is provided to employees assigned and residing in Lee, Collier, Monroe, Broward, or Miami-Dade County.

Selection includes a pre-hire assessment, oral interview, full background investigation, medical physical and eye examination, and psychological evaluation. Applicants must pass specified physical fitness and swimming tests. Applicants who are not certified law enforcement officers must pass the Basic Abilities Test, subject to the stated statutory exception for qualifying veterans and applicants with an associate degree or higher.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old when applying and 19 years old by the date of hire.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have a valid Florida Class E driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• Must not have a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement.
• Must not have been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Must have good moral character.
• Must successfully complete a full background check if selected.
• Must complete and pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (FBAT/CJBAT/BAT) to be eligible for phase two, unless qualifying for the stated statutory exemption for an honorably discharged veteran or a holder of an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Must pass the job-related physical abilities test within 8 minutes and 36 seconds.
• Must swim 150 continuous yards within 5 minutes and immediately tread water for 1 minute while keeping the head above water.
• Must pass a thorough medical examination, including drug screening, by a licensed physician at the applicant’s expense.
• Must meet the stated vision standards: unaided vision no worse than 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20; a 130-degree field of vision; ability to distinguish primary colors; binocular vision; and no double vision, lack of depth perception, or other chronic eye disorders affecting normal vision.
• Applicants seeking assignment to Broward, Miami-Dade, or Monroe County must currently reside in the respective county.
• Applicants who are not Florida-certified law enforcement officers must obtain Florida law enforcement certification; out-of-state officers must obtain Florida certification to be eligible for the abbreviated training course.
• Must meet the agency’s listed disqualifier standards, including restrictions related to criminal history, military discharge, controlled-substance use, driving history, and sustained internal investigations for perjury or false statements.

Responsibilities

• Protect life, limb, and property on the waters and lands of Florida.
• Enforce fish and wildlife laws and regulations, federal rules and regulations, and boating safety requirements.
• Enforce regulations relating to saltwater and freshwater fisheries, hunting, and protection of game and non-game fish and wildlife species.
• Investigate alleged violations of resource laws, seize evidence, make arrests, and testify in court.
• Provide general police protection for citizens and visitors using Florida’s lands and waters.
• Assist other agencies, upon request, in controlling and securing areas during disasters, hurricanes, fires, and similar events.
• Exercise independent judgment and apply technical law enforcement knowledge with limited supervision.
• Respond to call-outs as required and work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

• A $5,000 housing allowance for employees assigned and residing in Lee, Collier, Monroe, Broward, or Miami-Dade County.
• Eligible veterans may receive Veterans’ Preference in employment for Career Service vacancies.
• Certain service members may be eligible for waivers of postsecondary educational requirements.

What This Job Offers

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