Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the American Council on Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or meet one of the listed alternative service and education pathways: three years of active military service; four years of military reserve service and an Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter hours); three years of full-time law enforcement experience; two years of full-time law enforcement experience and an Associate's degree or equivalent; five years of continuous full-time employment and an Associate's degree or equivalent; four years currently employed full time as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office civilian employee; four years currently employed as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Correctional Officer, Community Service Officer, Certified Bailiff, or Judicial Officer; or two years currently employed in one of the listed Jacksonville Sheriff's Office roles and an Associate's degree or equivalent.
Pass a physical abilities test and psychological screening.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and be a U.S. citizen.
Have no felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement, and have no dishonorable or undesirable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
Have processed fingerprints on file, pass a medical examination, pass a background investigation including polygraph and psychological testing, and be of good moral character.
Pass controlled-substance testing; the position is subject to pre-employment, random, and other drug and alcohol testing under the City of Jacksonville Drug Free Workplace Policy.
Pass and maintain Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification.
Obtain and maintain a Florida Class E driver's license before appointment.
Qualify for, obtain, and maintain City of Jacksonville Public Driver Certification.
Obtain and maintain a Certificate of Recognition/Compliance/Comparative Compliance in Law Enforcement before appointment.
Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification before appointment.
Responsibilities
Apprehend and arrest suspects, complete arrest forms, and advise detainees and victims of applicable rights.
Investigate suspicious activities and enforce laws and ordinances.
Patrol an assigned area to enforce traffic and other vehicle-related regulations.
Respond to complaints concerning law violations, automobile accidents, and requests for assistance.
Interview people, prepare reports, and make dispositions or referrals as appropriate.
Watch for and investigate wanted and missing persons, stolen cars, and property.
Process crime scenes for evidence; photograph scenes, search for and lift fingerprints, take impressions of tire tracks and footprints, and prepare evidence for court.
Investigate and check pawn shops and stores for stolen articles.
Operate electronic data communications equipment and a two-way radio.
Guard suspects and provide related security services.
Transport or escort individuals as appropriate.
Administer basic first aid as required.
Operate a police vehicle equipped with a mobile radio and other electronic data and communication devices, firearms, restraining devices, and related law enforcement equipment.
Pursue and restrain individuals and apply personal defense techniques as needed.
Advance to Police Officer upon successful completion of the Field Training Program.
Posted Date
1/6/2026
Job Description
This is protective service work at the trainee level in the enforcement of laws and ordinances for the protection of life and property. Work requires a basic knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures used in law enforcement activities such as restoring and maintaining order, conducting preliminary investigations and apprehension of criminals which is acquired through specialized training and on-the-job experience. Contacts require skills in understanding human behavior and those factors which influence or cause behavioral changes and are critical in adversarial and confrontational situations. Work follows standard operating procedures. Trainees are confronted with differing situations which require quick assessment and the use of judgment to resolve the incident at hand. Work is performed in the field in an uncontrolled environment, where risks and hazards are substantial, generally unknown and unpredictable, and possibly uncontrollable. Operates police vehicle equipped with mobile radio and other electronic data, communication devices, firearms, restraining devices, and related law enforcement equipment. Work requires sitting and walking for long periods of time and requires physical exertion in pursuit and restraint of individuals. Work is performed under direct supervision where the work assignments vary and are although subject to standard practices and procedures.
Examples of Work
Apprehends and arrests suspects, completes arrest forms, and advises detainees and victims of applicable rights. Investigates suspicious activities and enforces laws and ordinances. Patrols assigned area to enforce traffic and other vehicle-related regulations. Responds to complaints concerning violations of laws, automobile accidents, and requests for assistance. Interviews persons, prepares reports, and makes disposition or referral as appropriate. Watches for and investigates wanted and missing persons, stolen cars, and property. Processes crime scenes for evidence; photographs crime scenes, searches for and lifts fingerprints, takes impressions of tire tracks and footprints, and prepares evidence to be presented in court. Investigates and checks pawn shops and stores for stolen articles. Operates electronic data communications equipment and two-way radio. Guards suspects and provides related security services. Transports/escorts individuals as appropriate. Administers basic first aid as required. Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies. Performs related work as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of law enforcement techniques, methods, and procedures. Knowledge of Sheriff's Office Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders. Knowledge of Florida Statutes, constitutional law, municipal ordinances, and applicable court decisions. Skill in operating automobiles, firearms, and other law enforcement equipment. Ability to read, understand, and apply information to include laws, ordinances, and regulations. Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports. Ability to firmly, courteously and tactfully handle situations with respect for the rights of others. Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively. Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergencies. Ability to work long hours and withstand physical and mental strains of police work. Ability to observe, understand and recall facts and information. Ability to compose and write legibly. Ability to pursue, apprehend, and restrain persons. Ability to apply personal defense techniques. Ability to learn and follow prescribed routines. Ability to follow oral and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively in adversarial and confrontational situations. Ability to administer basic first aid.
Open Requirements/Supplemental Information
Must possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the American Council on Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, OR have 3 years active military service, OR have four years of service in the military reserves and an Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 semester/90 quarter hours), OR 3 years full time law enforcement experience, OR two years full time law enforcement and an Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 semester/90 quarter hours), OR five years continuous full time employment and an Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 semester/90 quarter hours) OR four years currently employed as a full time civilian with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and an Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 semester/90 quarter hours), OR four years currently employed as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Correctional Officer, Community Service Officer, Certified Bailiff, or Judicial Officer, OR two years currently employed as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Officer, Community Services Officer, Certified Bailiff, or Judicial Officer and an Associate's Degree or equivalent (60 semester/90 quarter hours). Must pass physical abilities test. Must pass psychological screening. Will be tested for controlled substances prior to employment and may be tested for controlled substances and alcohol during employment in this classification. Applicants must be at least twenty-one years of age and meet the following State required minimum qualifications: a. be a citizen of the United States b. not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement; c. not have received a dishonorable or undesirable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States; d. have processed fingerprints on file; e. pass medical examination which includes cardio-pulmonary stress test, back X-ray, hearing test, EKG, and visual examination to determine that applicant has normal night vision and color vision, good peripheral vision, and is free from any degenerative eye disease; f. pass a thorough background investigation including polygraph and psychological testing; g. be of good moral character; h. be tested for controlled substances and pass; i. execute and submit an "Affidavit of Applicant" form attesting to compliance with these requirements.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Will advance to Police Officer upon successful completion of Field Training Program. The probationary period for this classification is up to twelve (12) months. This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville's Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401). LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION: FLA Law Enforcement Officer Certification must pass and maintain. FLA Class E Driver's License is required prior to appointment & must be maintained. Must qualify for prior to appointment, obtain and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville Certification as a Public Driver. Certificate of Recognition/Compliance/Comparative Compliance in Law Enforcement is required prior to appointment & must be maintained. CPR/First Aid Certification is required prior to appointment and must be maintained.
The City of Jacksonville is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and will provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants in compliance with all applicable federal and state employment laws and the current interpretation of employment discrimination by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as set forth in Directive 0528. There shall be no discrimination or harassment against any person with regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, political affiliation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other impermissible factor in recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, placement, promotion, discipline, demotion, transfers, layoff, recall, termination, working conditions and related terms and conditions of employment.