Police Officer

Santa Fe College•Gainesville, FL

3d•$50,000•Onsite

About The Position

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on March 13, 2026. The Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) is an award-winning, fully sworn police agency which is nationally recognized for excellence and community policing efforts. Beyond just enforcing state laws and college rules, every police department member is dedicated to working in partnership with the college community toward the goal of a safe Santa Fe. The SFPD is seeking a qualified Police Officer to preserve the peace, provide general police services and enforce municipal, county, state, and federal laws, as well as the rules and regulations of Santa Fe College. The Police Officer helps to establish a uniform police presence on campus and is responsible for campus law enforcement to ensure the protection of college personnel, students, property, and equipment. The Police Officer is required to work in all weather conditions, as well as varying hours and shifts both days and nights with periodic rotations and changes in work schedules, including being available for call back duty as required. The Police Officer encounters emergencies, as well as dangerous, potentially hazardous situations and materials, therefore this position must be proficient in the high liability skills as defined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent and must be eligible to take the State Officer Certification Examination within the next six months and receive a passing score.
Applicants must have a valid Florida driver license and be authorized to drive for the College.
Must successfully pass the background investigation, physical examination, drug testing, and polygraph.
Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.
Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.
Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.
Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.
Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.
Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Nice To Haves

An associate degree in criminal justice or a relevant field is preferred, as is knowledge of crime prevention and/or community policing concepts.

Responsibilities

Enforces the law courteously, tactfully, firmly, impartially, and ethically.
Patrols assigned areas, assists students, staff, and the public; observes infractions and/or violations, taking appropriate action as necessary.
Reports unsafe or suspicious incidents taking appropriate action as necessary.
Reports unsafe conditions such as obstructions on streets or sidewalks, holes, leaking or faulty utility services, or other unusual conditions that might endanger the public.
Responds to dispatch calls for service and investigates problems, disturbances, traffic accidents, crimes, emergencies, and other incidents, including routine calls related to alarms and medical emergency calls; provides assistance and prepares related incident reports.
Performs security checks of all building and concourses; locks and unlocks buildings and classrooms; provides parking and traffic enforcement.
Conducts accident and crime investigations; prepares comprehensive, complete reports in clear and accurate detail noting observations and actions taken.
Provides security for various events; sets up cones, barricades, signage, security lighting and other tasks necessary for special events.
Maintains proper care of patrol vehicles, weapons, and other law enforcement equipment to ensure operational readiness; uses and cares for firearms in an effective and efficient manner.
Provides safety escort services for members of the SF community and bank deposits as necessary.
Educates and counsels students, staff, and visitors on crime prevention techniques and proper safety practices.
Prepares and preserves evidence in accordance with directives to maintain chain of custody; provides assistance to other law enforcement agencies as per mutual aid agreements; testifies in court providing an accurate account of incident.
Administers first aid as necessary and always maintains current first responder certifications.
Maintains strict confidentiality and privacy according to college rules and the law.
Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
Performs other duties as assigned.