Certified Police Officer

City of Green Cove Springs; Green Cove Springs (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

1% retirement contribution

Six-year vesting

Twelve paid holidays

Take-home car program

$5,000 state bonus for eligible new &

Job summary

The City of Green Cove Springs Police Department is seeking qualified applicants for a Police Officer position. The role supports crime prevention, protection of life and property, and community safety while upholding laws and ordinances.

The department emphasizes professionalism, community engagement, and service to both residents and visitors. Applicants must submit notarized forms and meet minimum qualifications; a comprehensive benefits package is provided, including retirement and take-home

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Florida LE certification preferred.
• Background checks and notarized paperwork are required for application.
• Ability to perform duties across day, night, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Patrols city streets and maintains order.
• Responds to calls, conducts investigations, and preserves evidence.
• Operates and maintains police vehicle and equipment.
• Arrests suspects and enforces laws and ordinances.
• Provides first aid, CPR, and emergency assistance as needed.

Skills

Law enforcement knowledge

Communication skills

Emergency response

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Florida Law Enforcement Certification (preferred)

Job description

Are you prepared to embark on a rewarding career with the Green Cove Springs Police Department, a premier law enforcement agency dedicated to serving the City of Green Cove Springs?We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: 1% retirement contribution, six-year vesting period, twelve paid holidays annually, take-home car program participation, $5,000 state bonus for eligible new and out-of-state officers, no degree requirement, and overtime compensation after 80 working hours.As a key member of our team, you will contribute to our mission of providing exceptional law enforcement services to the community, fostering professionalism, community engagement, and law enforcement expertise to create a safer environment for residents and visitors.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR APPLICATION FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE.

• Police Officer applications must include all of the following documentation attached to your application. The Background Investigation Waiver, FDLE Affidavit of Applicant and the Civilian Ride Along Application all need to be notarized.
  • Background Investigation Waiver (PDF) (print, sign and notarize)
  • FDLE Affidavit of Applicant - CJSTC 68 (print, sign and notarize)
  • Civilian Ride Along Application (print, sign and notarize)
  • Applicant Minimum Limits Drug Use Policy (print and complete)
  • Security and Privacy Training (print and sign)

1. Law Enforcement Academy Diploma
2. FDLE Law Enforcement Certificate
3. Neighbors References (3 minimum)
4. Personal References (3 minimum)
5. Professional References (3 minimum)
6. Copy of Driver’s License (LE)
7. Copy of Social Security Card
8. Birth Certificate
9. High School/GEDDiploma
10. Military DD214 if applicable
11. Credit Score
12. College Transcripts

JOB SUMMARY

This position performs general police functions in the prevention of crime, protection of life and property, and apprehension of criminal offenders through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and the maintenance of community order through the performance of numerous human services as well as providing general information and assistance to the public.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Operates and maintains assigned police vehicle.
• Patrols City streets and participates in crime control duties.
• Makes security checks on personal, City, and business property.
• Responds to a wide variety of calls and complaints, and requests for assistance.
• Maintains community order by responding to calls and situations which may escape from minor disputes (social crises or personal problems) to community disorders, and resolves these, insofar as possible, through application of personal skills or through referral to appropriate social agencies.
• Apprehends and subdues suspects.
• Pursues and stops speeders and suspected felons.
• Investigates and stops disturbances, domestic and group.
• Enforces City Codes and Ordinances.
• Issues warnings and citations and makes arrests.
• Issues summonses and serves subpoenas and warrants.
• Searches subjects and confiscates property.
• Maintains surveillance of known criminals or persons suspected of criminal activities.
• Oversees custody, care, and control of prisoners.
• Transports and books prisoners.
• Secures and searches crime scenes for clues and evidence and preserves and correlates evidence.
• Reconstructs criminal events.
• Locates and interviews witnesses and victims.
• Interrogates subjects and suspects.
• Records statements.
• Prepares cases against suspects.
• Enforces traffic laws.
• Investigates traffic accidents, determines cause, and fills out accident reports.
• Directs traffic.
• Provides first aid, CPR, and/or NARCAN and AED administration or obtains necessary medical or other types of assistance needed.
• Fills out complaint reports and writes notes and other types of correspondence and reports.
• Conducts follow-up investigations.
• Appears at court proceedings and gives testimony.
• Provides security for community activities and assists in controlling crowds.
• Transports and delivers items, as required.
• Uses a variety of weapons and other types of law enforcement equipment.
• Serves as training officer, as assigned.
• Provides backup and other types of assistance to other law enforcement officers and offices.
• Coordinates and functions with other operational units and serves as a part of such units, when assigned.
• Locates and cultivates reliable sources of information.
• Answers questions asked by the public and gives general information and directions.
• Explains laws and ordinances to citizens.
• Advises and counsels elderly and indigent persons.
• Investigates cases of juvenile delinquency and submits reports to juvenile court.
• Assists in the supervision of juveniles held in custody.
• Attends training and instructional sessions on law enforcement methods and use of equipment.
• Assists fire control and emergency medical service personnel.
• Utilizes firearms, communication equipment, electronic detectors, audio vision equipment, and similar devices.
• Reports conditions needing repair or attention.
• Operates personal computer and software applications, including word processing.
• Makes suggestions for crime prevention.
• Works various shifts/schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Acts as a DUI Enforcement Officer, Marine Enforcement Officer, or School Resource Officer, as assigned.
• Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED and must meet all State Police Minimum Standards requirements as authorized in F.S. 943.13. Associates or higher degree desired. Previous experience working as a Florida Law Enforcement Officer is preferred. Four (4) years of military service may be substituted for the degree. Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience may be considered for the minimum qualifications.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class "E" Florida Driver’s License and compliance with vehicle use policy requirements, Section 8.15(c) in the City's Personnel Manual.
• Florida Basic Law Enforcement Certification and maintenance of minimum certification requirements.
• Maintenance of any certifications currently held for law enforcement, including periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications, which are deemed relevant to the Law enforcement function, as agreed upon at the time of hiring.

Special Requirements:

• Must meet requirements of State Police Minimum Standards as authorized in F.S. 943.13.
• Compliance with any future training, educational, or certification mandates by the state or federal government for law enforcement officers.
• This position is designated as a safety sensitive position.
• Works hours other than the regular schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of practical human relationships.
• Knowledge of local geography and social conditions.
• Knowledge of criminal investigation techniques, rules of evidence, and court proceedings.
• Knowledge of department policies procedures and rules.
• Knowledge of City, county, and state laws.
• Knowledge of first aid and general emergency measures.
• Knowledge of interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Skill in the use of law enforcement weapons.
• Ability to comprehend and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to act decisively and calmly in emergency situations under little direct supervision.
• Ability to enforce laws in a firm impartial manner.
• Ability to develop sources of information and referral.
• Ability to work in a potentially hazardous environment.
• Ability to perform simple mathematical computations and reason logically.li>
• Ability to work various shifts and be on call as required.
• Ability to interact and interrelate with people and help in the resolution of their collective and individual problems.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, determine proper course of action, and prepare reports.
• Ability to safely operate police vehicles.
• Ability to draw valid conclusions from sometimes incomplete data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other employees, and the representatives of the court and other law enforcement agencies.
• Ability to do physical combat, possessing physical strength, ability, and excellent physical condition.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy and requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. Also requires the following physical abilities: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed inside and outside in various weather conditions both day and night, in hazardous conditions, such as noise, chemicals, fumes, slippery and uneven surfaces, vibrations, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, odors, poor lighting, heights, confined spaces, trash, garbage, filth, animals, with exposure to hazardous materials, such as blood-borne pathogens, airborne diseases, and other hazardous conditions, and in stressful and confrontational situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The City has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.

The City of Green Cove Springs, FL commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The City’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.

HIRING PROCESS

• A comprehensive application for employment (including previous employment, references, current and prior addresses, education, military record).
• A questionnaire containing questions used to determine if the applicant meets minimum qualifications or has any concerning history.
• A structured interview.
• A ride-along with an officer.
• A thorough background investigation, including:
  • Warrant check;
  • Fingerprints check;
  • Local records check;
  • Verification of qualifying credentials;
  • Prior employment;
  • Criminal history;
  • Driving records check;
  • Verification of personal and professional references;
  • Education records, (including records from law enforcement training academies if applicable);
  • Review of social media activity;
  • Review of relevant national or state certification/decertification resources;
  • Neighborhood check and home visit.
• Polygraph examination.
• Medical and psychological examination (may only be given after a conditional offer of employment).
• Meeting with the Chief of Police.

Notice to Applicants/Current Agency Personnel: This notice is to inform applicants and current agency personnel that a fingerprint-based record check will/has been conducted for all individuals seeking employment with the Agency. The purpose of the records check is to conduct a search of any Florida and National criminal history records that may pertain to the applicant/employee. By submitting fingerprints, you are authorizing the dissemination of any state and national criminal history record that may pertain to you to the agency from which you are seeking employment. The fingerprints submitted are retained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The fingerprints will be retained with the agency until such time as employment separation occurs. In the event of subsequent arrests, FDLE and the FBI will notify the agency of a records hit based on those retained fingerprints. If you believe that the criminal history record is incomplete or inaccurate, you may conduct a personal review as provided in s. 943.056, F.S., and Florida Administrative Code Rule 11C-8.001 by calling FDLE at (850) 410- 7898. If you believe the national information is in error, you may contact the FBI at [phone]. You can receive any national criminal history record that may pertain to you directly from the FBI, pursuant to 28 CFR Sections 16.30-16.34. You have the right to a reasonable amount of time to obtain a determination as to the validity of your challenge before a final decision is made about your status as an employee, volunteer, contractor, or subcontractor.

This privacy act statement is located on the back of the FD-258 fingerprint card. Authority: The FBI’s acquisition, preservation, and exchange of fingerprints and associated information is generally authorized under 28 U.S.C. 534. Depending on the nature of your application, supplemental authorities include Federal statutes, State statutes pursuant to Pub. L. 92-544, Presidential Executive Orders, and federal regulations. Providing your fingerprints and associated information is voluntary; however, failure to do so may affect completion or approval of your application. Principal Purpose: Certain determinations, such as employment, licensing, and security clearances, may be predicated on fingerprint-based background checks. Your fingerprints and associated information/biometrics may be provided to the employing, investigating, or otherwise responsible agency, and/or the FBI for the purpose of comparing your fingerprints to other fingerprints in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system or its successor systems (including civil, criminal, and latent fingerprint repositories) or other available records of the employing, investigating, or otherwise responsible agency. The FBI may retain your fingerprints and associated information/biometrics in NGI after the completion of this application and, while retained, your fingerprints may continue to be compared against other fingerprints submitted to or retained by NGI. Routine Uses: During the processing of this application and for as long thereafter as your fingerprints and associated information/biometrics are retained in NGI, your information may be disclosed pursuant to your consent, and may be disclosed without your consent as permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974 and all applicable Routine Uses as may be published at any time in the Federal Register, including the Routine Uses for the NGI system and the FBI’s Blanket Routine Uses. Routine uses include, but are not limited to, disclosures to: employing, governmental or authorized non-governmental agencies responsible for employment, contracting, licensing, security clearances, and other suitability determinations; local, state, tribal, or federal law enforcement agencies; criminal justice agencies; and agencies responsible for national security or public safety. As of 03/30/2018