Applications Developer

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; United States; On-site; USD 99,903 - 149,854; Full time

Job summary

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is looking for a skilled software developer to design, build, and support custom applications. Your role will focus on enhancing agency operations through the integration of machine learning and AI models while ensuring compliance with data protection standards.

The ideal candidate should possess a high school diploma or GED with extensive experience in software development, particularly in full-stack development and familiarity with frameworks like LangChain and Ollama.

Competitive compensation is offered in the range of $99,903.24 to $149,854.86.

Qualifications

• Six years of software development experience including full‑stack application development.
• Experience with LangChain or Ollama frameworks using vector databases.
• Ability to work in a law enforcement agency environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize machine learning models.
• Integrate AI models into existing applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for AI opportunities.

Skills

Machine learning frameworks (ML.NET, Scikit-Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras)

Understanding of secure coding principles

Ability to work with structured and unstructured datasets

Problem analysis and innovative approach

Education

High school diploma or GED with software development experience

Associate degree in computer science or related field

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

LangChain

Ollama

Vector databases

Job description

Job Overview

Design, build, and support custom applications and data integrations to enhance agency operations, with a focus on functionality, performance, and secure handling of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and optimize machine learning models using frameworks such as ML.NET, Scikit‑Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Integrate AI models into existing in‑house applications and services running in secure on‑prem environments.
• Experiment with large language models (LLMs) and agentic coding tools, evaluating their potential for secure, internal automation and analytics tasks.
• Perform data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model evaluation using structured and unstructured data from multiple internal systems.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure all models and data workflows align with Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) protection standards.
• Work closely with analysts, investigators, and Information Technology (IT) staff to identify opportunities where AI can provide operational value.
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and deployment activities within a collaborative team environment.
• Continuously learn and prototype emerging AI tools while maintaining strong data governance discipline.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of machine learning frameworks such as ML.NET, Scikit‑Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras.
• Knowledge of Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, and AI agent frameworks.
• Basic understanding of secure coding principles and CJIS data protection requirements.
• Working knowledge of office policies and procedures.
• Ability to work with structured and unstructured datasets from multiple sources such as databases, APIs, logs, and documents.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, test possible solutions, and apply practical, innovative approaches.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to stay curious and continuously learn new AI tools and techniques while maintaining responsible data practices.

Working Conditions

Work within an office environment within a law‑enforcement agency. Stand or sit at a keyboard or workstation for prolonged periods. May engage in light physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of objects and materials up to 10 pounds). Work standard business hours with potential non‑standard hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. May be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned during emergencies or disasters.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or GED certificate withsix years of software development and systems integration experience, including two years of full‑stack application development in a team environment and two years working with LangChain, Ollama, or similar frameworks using vector databases for local LLMs and agentic AI systems.
• An associate degree in computer science, information technology, software development, or a closely related field withfour years of software development and systems integration experience, including one year of full‑stack application development in a team environment and one year working with LangChain, Ollama, or similar frameworks using vector databases for local LLMs and agentic AI systems.
• A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, software development, or a closely related field with two years of software development and systems integration experience.
• Three years of experience in a technical position within the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Information Services Division involving software development, systems integration, data reporting, or database management aligned with the duties outlined in this job description.

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.
• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at the time of employment.
• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck; tattoos that detract from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.
• No illegal drug sale within lifetime, no illegal drug use within the past 36 months, no marijuana use within the last 12 months, no felony convictions within lifetime, and no misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.
• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.
• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks, polygraph, medical evaluation, and drug screening.
• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60‑mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Full‑stack development and familiarity with LangChain, Ollama, or similar LLM frameworks.

Compensation

Compensation Range $99,903.24–$149,854.86. Starting Salary Range $99,903.24–$124,879.05.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek to offer employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or military/veteran status.