Police Officer

Santa Fe College Employees•Gainesville, FL

3d•$104,000,000 - $104,000,000

About The Position

The Police Officer serves as a sworn law enforcement officer within the Santa Fe College Police Department and reports directly to a Police Sergeant. The officer preserves the peace, provides general police services, and enforces College rules and applicable federal, state, and local laws to protect College personnel, students, property, equipment, and facilities. Officers support operations or administration and perform duties within their assigned area while remaining available to work across functional areas as directed by the Chief of Police, Lieutenant, or College leadership. An Operations Police Officer supports daily safety and security, emergency response, patrol, event coverage, traffic and parking enforcement, and proactive community policing. An Administrative Police Officer supports specialized investigations, communications, records management, regulatory compliance, crime prevention, and related administrative functions. The role requires professional, ethical, and courteous engagement with the College community and the public, accurate documentation, confidentiality, and compliance with College procedures and applicable laws. The position also involves responding to emergencies, maintaining assigned equipment, supporting College activities, and performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Must be eligible to take the State Officer Certification Examination within six months and receive a passing score.
Must successfully pass a background investigation, physical examination, drug testing, and polygraph.
Valid Florida driver's license and authorization to drive for the College.
Must maintain the mobility, physical strength, and stamina needed to see, hear, stand, bend, lift, carry, walk, or run.
Ability to work successfully in a multicultural environment.
Professional communication, critical thinking and judgment, customer service, ethics, organization and time management, problem-solving, teamwork, relationship management, results orientation, attention to detail, and ability to multitask.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
Knowledge of crime prevention and/or community policing concepts.

Responsibilities

Enforce College rules and applicable federal, state, and local laws courteously, tactfully, firmly, impartially, and ethically.
Respond to calls for service and investigate disturbances, suspicious activity, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, alarms, and other incidents; take appropriate action and prepare reports.
Conduct criminal and assigned administrative investigations; gather, document, preserve, and process evidence according to procedures and legal requirements.
Participate in prosecutions, prepare cases, and testify in court as needed.
Identify and report unsafe, hazardous, or suspicious conditions and take action to protect people and College property.
Perform building and facility access functions, including locking and unlocking facilities and responding to access-related security concerns.
Promote a safe College environment through crime prevention, safety education, community engagement, and proactive law enforcement.
Prepare accurate and timely reports, records, and other documentation.
Maintain working knowledge of law enforcement and higher education requirements and concepts, including FERPA, Clery, Title IX, emergency notifications, timely warnings, and UCR.
Foster positive working relationships with College departments, students, employees, visitors, external agencies, and the public.
Provide safety escorts and other public safety assistance; administer first aid and emergency assistance as needed and maintain required certifications.
Maintain department vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and other assigned equipment in operational readiness.
Maintain operating procedure records and share position-specific knowledge and guidance on standard operations and established procedures as needed.
Participate in College events, committees, and other activities; comply with College rules and procedures, public employee regulations, records requirements, and confidentiality obligations.
Provide courteous, informed, accessible, and professional service and perform other duties as assigned.
For Operations: Patrol campuses, educational centers, buildings, and facilities; respond to emergencies, critical incidents, alarms, fire alarm concerns, elevator outages, and other public safety situations.
For Operations: Conduct traffic and parking enforcement, building and grounds security checks, and campus traffic safety activities; document safety concerns, suspicious activity, and maintenance issues.
For Operations: Complete police and crash reports, incident documentation, daily logs, and other records; assist with security at special events; participate in field training and help orient new officers as directed.
For Operations: Build relationships with students, employees, and visitors and address quality-of-life concerns through proactive, problem-oriented community policing.
For Administration: Assist with specialized, background, and other administrative investigations; support 911 Communications Center functions in cooperation with communications personnel.
For Administration: Assist with Clery Act, Title IX, and other regulatory compliance through reporting, records maintenance, data collection, and documentation.
For Administration: Maintain records, property, and evidence according to legal requirements, department procedures, and accreditation standards; track certifications, training hours, and professional development activities.
For Administration: Support crime prevention, community outreach, educational programs, and public safety initiatives; assist with fleet, uniform, and specialized equipment accountability; respond to public concerns, complaints, and administrative reviews as assigned.