Police Officer

Job Description Summary

Application Deadline: This advertisement is open continuously and applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis. For questions regarding the status of an application, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].

The Police Officer serves as a sworn law enforcement officer within the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) and reports directly to the Police Sergeant. The Police Officer is responsible for preserving the peace, providing general police services, and ensuring compliance with and enforcement of college rules, as well as federal, state, and local laws protecting College personnel, students, property, equipment and facilities. The Police Officer supports either operations or administration and performs duties consistent with their assigned area of responsibility while maintaining the ability to operate across functional areas as needed.

The Operations Police Officer supports the daily safety and security activities and emergency response functions of the department through patrol, event coverage, traffic and parking enforcement, and proactive community policing efforts under the direction of the Operations Sergeant and Lieutenant.

The Administrative Police Officer supports the department’s assigned administrative functions, including specialized investigations, communications, records management, regulatory compliance, crime prevention initiatives, and related activities under the direction of the Administrative Sergeant and Lieutenant.

While each Police Officer may have assigned areas of responsibility, they are expected to be cross-functional as needed upon the direction of the Chief of Police, Lieutenant, and/or College leadership.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Enforces college rules and applicable federal, state, and local laws courteously, tactfully, firmly, impartially, and ethically.
• Responds to calls for service and investigates problems, disturbances, suspicious activities, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, alarms, and other incidents; takes appropriate action and prepares related reports and documentation.
• Conducts criminal and assigned administrative investigations; gathers, documents, preserves, and processes evidence in accordance with department procedures and legal requirements.
• Participates in prosecutions and assists in the preparation of cases, including testifying in court as needed.
• Reports unsafe, hazardous, or suspicious conditions and takes appropriate action to protect students, employees, visitors, property, and facilities.
• Performs building and facility access functions, including locking and unlocking facilities and responding to access-related security concerns as needed.
• Promotes a safe and secure College environment through crime prevention activities, safety education, community engagement, and proactive law enforcement efforts.
• Prepares reports, records, and other documentation accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner in accordance with departmental standards.
• Maintains a working knowledge and understanding of core law enforcement and higher education concepts such as FERPA, Clery, Title IX, emergency notifications, timely warnings, uniform crime reporting (UCR), etc.
• Fosters positive working relationships with college departments, students, employees, visitors, external agencies, and the public.
• Provides prompt and timely safety escort services and other public safety assistance as needed.
• Administers first aid and emergency assistance as necessary and maintains required certifications.
• Maintains department vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and other assigned equipment in a state of operational readiness.
• Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share position specific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and related system processes, by providing guidance on standard operations and established departmental procedures as needed. 
• Provides service to the college through participation in events, committees, and other college activities.
• 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 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. 

Areas of Emphasis:

Operations is responsible for the management of day-to-day safety and security activities, special events, traffic and parking, tactical threat assessment, alarms, specialized units and emergency response functions.

            Key Duties Include:

• Patrols campuses, educational centers, buildings, and other College facilities to promote safety, security, and compliance with college rules and applicable laws.

• Responds to emergencies, critical incidents, alarms, fire alarm concerns, elevator outages, and other public safety situations and takes appropriate action to resolve or mitigate hazards.

• Performs traffic and parking enforcement activities and assists with campus traffic safety initiatives.

• Conducts security checks of buildings, facilities, and grounds; identifies and reports safety concerns, suspicious activities, and maintenance issues.

• Completes police reports, crash reports, incident documentation, daily logs, and other required records accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner.

• Assists with law enforcement and security operations for special events, including graduations, athletic games, and VIP visits.  

• Participates in field training activities and assists in the orientation and development of newly assigned officers as directed.

• Practices community policing by building relationships with students, employees, and visitors and addressing quality-of-life concerns through proactive, problem-oriented policing strategies.

Administration oversees communications and is responsible for managing the administrative infrastructure including campus access control, budgets, equipment, fleet, accreditation, professional standards, certification and specialized training. It is also responsible for records, property, evidence, specialized investigations, school resource officer and reserve programs, community relations, crime prevention, threat assessment, regulatory compliance and reporting for the department.

            Key Duties Include:

• Assists with specialized investigations, background investigations, and other administrative investigations as assigned.

• Supports the daily functions of the 911 Communications Center and works cooperatively with communications personnel to ensure effective public safety response.

• Assists with Clery Act, Title IX, and other regulatory compliance activities through accurate reporting, records maintenance, data collection, and documentation.

• Maintains records, property, and evidence in accordance with legal requirements, departmental procedures, and accreditation standards.

• Assists with monitoring and tracking officer certifications, training hours, and professional development activities to support compliance with mandatory standards.

• Supports crime prevention, community outreach, educational programs, and other public safety initiatives.

• Assists with the maintenance and accountability of the department’s vehicle fleet, uniform stores, and specialized equipment.  

• Responds to public concerns, complaints, and administrative reviews as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: A high school diploma or equivalent and must be eligible to take the State Officer Certification Examination within six (6) months and receive a passing score.

Additional Requirements: Successfully pass the background investigation, physical examination, drug testing, and polygraph. Must have a valid Florida Driver’s license and be authorized to drive for the College. Must maintain mobility, physical strength, and stamina to ensure the ability to see, hear, stand, bend, lift, carry, walk, or run is upheld.
Preferred: An associate's degree in Criminal Justice or a related field, as well as knowledge of crime prevention and/or community policing concepts.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.
• Team Orientation & Interpersonal — highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• 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.

Application Process:  All applicants must submit a completed online SF application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts (if applicable) to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: [email protected]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.