LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II - 43001115

Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension and retirement plan options

Paid holidays and generous leave

Take-home car program

Job summary

Florida Department of Financial Services, Crime Investigations Division in Tampa, seeks a sworn Law Enforcement Investigator II (Arson Detective) with 3+ years of experience. Requires active Florida law enforcement certification and a valid Florida driver’s license.

Includes comprehensive benefits and opportunities for advancement. Applicants must meet minimum entry qualifications and may have bilingual skills.

Qualifications

• Displays good written and oral communication skills.
• Exhibits flexibility to respond to change and works well as part of a team.
• All state-issued equipment is used and maintained safely and in accordance with AP&P and Division Policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct extensive investigations, follow up on leads, conduct interviews and arrest suspects.
• Prepare and present information and evidence to prosecutors.
• Provide training and technical assistance to new investigators.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Training and proficiency

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) in criminal justice, accounting, finance, fire science, or computer science

Job description

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LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II - 43001115

Date: Sep 30, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:884721

Working Title: LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II - 43001115

OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CLASS TITLE: LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATOR II (SWORN ARSON DETECTIVE)

DIVISION: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION

BUREAU:BUREAU OF FIRE, ARSON & EXPLOSIVES INVESTIGATIONS

CITY:TAMPA

COUNTY:HILLSBOROUGH

The Criminal Investigations Division encompasses all law enforcement and forensic components residing within the Department of Financial Services. This advertisement is for a Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations detective.

Click here for additional information about the Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Questions:

Job Line Phone number: [phone]

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or its equivalent.

For Law Enforcement Investigator II

• Three (3) or more years of sworn law enforcement experience*
• ACTIVE Certified Florida Law Enforcement Officer; or have you completed the Florida Equivalency of Training (CJSTC 76) and are eligible to receive the Law Enforcement Certification in accordance with Section 943.13, Florida Statutes .
• VALID Driver’s License from the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles by time of employment.

Preference:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in criminal justice, accounting, finance, fire science, or computer science.
• Special consideration may be given to eligible candidates who have bilingual verbal and written skills that meet a critical need of the agency’s mission.

Minimum Qualifications for this position include the following REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Communication

• Displays good written and oral communication skills.
• Exhibits good mediation and negotiating skills.
• Documents investigation activity in compliance with Division Policies and Procedures.
• Complies with all administrative documentation as prescribed by Division Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures that all reports are logically comprehensive and grammatically correct.
• Prepares detailed and accurate reports of findings and ensures that they are filed and properly reported.

Interpersonal Skills

• Exhibits flexibility to respond to change.
• Exhibits demeanor which is appropriate for the situation.
• Functions well as a team member.
• Responds to others using tact and diplomacy.
• Provides guidance, direction, leadership, and motivation to assisting agents, analysts and others as applicable.
• Displays ethical and responsible behavior.
• Always conducts daily business in professional manner with respect, quality, service, and commitment to excellence.

Training and Proficiency

• All state-issued equipment is utilized and maintained in a safe and ready manner consistent with AP&P and Division Policies and Procedures.
• All state-issued and personally approved firearms are maintained and utilized in a safe and proficient manner consistent with Division Policies and Procedures.
• Applies a working knowledge of current Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, AP&P, Division Policies and Procedures, industry trends, and current case law relevant to all Job-related functions.
• Successfully completed mandated training programs required by Florida Statute, DFS, and Division.
• Provide training and technical assistance to new investigators on the requirements and duties associated with the Bureau.
• Train and instruct public safety personnel and others on State laws, rules and current investigative techniques.

Knowledge of investigative and surveillance principles and techniques. Knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Ability to work in dangerous and stressful situations. Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to deal with individual's critical situations in an effective manner. Ability to gather and preserve evidence.

Ability to describe facts and events accurately. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to analyze and interpret data. Ability to effectively interview suspects, complainants and witnesses.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

OTHER KSAs (Incumbent may learn on job):

Knowledge of: fire behavior, chemistry, and burn patterns; key personnel in the law enforcement, legal, and fire service communities; the Bureau’s Augmented Crime Information Support System (ACISS).

Ability to: use the Bureau’s Augmented Crime Information Support System (ACISS); interpret burn patterns and analyze other information to determine the cause and origin of a fire.

Skills: Properly document the fire scene using sketching, diagramming, and photography; properly maintain and be proficient in the use of specialized equipment utilized at the fire scene (i.e. bobcat, dually, etc.)

NOTE: Correctional Officer and Correction Probational Officer Certifications DO NOT meet the requirements of the job description.

College education can be substituted at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours per year for a maximum of one (1) year of the required experience.

Individuals that have less than three years of sworn law enforcement experience may be considered at a Law Enforcement Investigator I, depending upon the agency’s needs.

The Division requires you live no more than 50 miles from your residence to your assigned duty station (office). The mileage will be determined by geodesic distance (direct line) from their address of residents to the address of their assigned office.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. Please read below:

• Please include the names and phone numbers for the supervisor(s) and/or Human Resource Department for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume”.
• Each field (address, city, and state, dates, phone numbers, etc.)should be completed.
• If claiming Right to Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying.
• Upon the selection of the top candidate, a current supervisory reference contact will be required.

Experience and education requirements must be met at the time of application submission to be considered.

This position requires a security background check, including fingerprint as a condition of employment.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?

Selection is a three-to-six-month process where the successful applicants MUST PASS the Physical Abilities Test, Oral Interview and Written Exam, CJSTC background prior to beginning.

If selected for an interview, interview will be conducted in person.

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools at any stage of the process is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification for the position.

A CAD (Competitive Area Differential) of $4,999.80 will apply only to those applying for positions in the following counties Palm Beach, Broward and Dade.

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

Benefits include:

• Paid holidays, vacation and one personal holiday
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid annual leave as a new employee
• Ability to earn up to 104 hours of paid sick leave annually
• Pension and investment retirement plan options ( MyFRS )
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts
• Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts
• $25,000.00 in automatic life insurance coverage
• Affordable health insurance options starting as low as $50.00 per month for individuals or $180 per month for family
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including dental, vision, disability and more

PAY ADDITIVES AND COMPETITIVE AREA DIFFERENTIAL (CAD)

• Criminal Justice Incentive Pay - up to $1,560 annually
• Clothing allowance up to $500.00 annually
• Take home car - approximately $10,000.0 in savings annually
• Specialty pay additives: FTO

Programs

• Participation in state and federal task forces
• Community Outreach
• Honor Guard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Incumbent of position is a member of DFS’ Disaster Response Team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and necessary attendant travel in support of disaster relief efforts.

• Conduct extensive investigations. Responsibilities to include following up on leads, conducting interviews, executing search warrants, making arrests.
• Conduct follow-up latent investigations, interviewing witnesses and interrogation of suspects as appropriate in order to secure background information on suspect(s).
• Identify and arrest criminal suspects. Prepare and present information and evidence to the prosecuting attorney.
• Provide expert testimony at legal proceedings and assists in preparation of witnesses, victims, and evidence for use by the prosecution.
• Identifies, recruits, documents, and supervises confidential sources as per Division Policies and Procedures.
• Collects, seizes, protects, maintains, transports and documents evidence consistent with statutes, current case law, and Division Policies and Procedures.
• Displays sound surveillance techniques and undercover capabilities as needed.
• Provides investigative support to Division personnel and to other public safety entities.
• Applies diverse knowledge and research methods.
• Development of strategic and tactical intelligence.
• Monitors arrests, prosecutions, and forfeitures. Maintains liaison with Prosecutor.
• Conduct thorough background investigations into potential Department employees.
• Establish and maintain liaison with other entities.
• Performs disaster related duties as requested.

Planning and Organizing

• Provides complete and accurate collection of data/information, evaluation, and dissemination.
• Displays initiative and organizational skills in conducting investigative activities.
• Prepares and implements investigative plan.
• Focuses investigation on objectives necessary for prosecution and closure of cases.
• Displays creative planning and seeks innovative resolutions.
• Goals, objectives, and assignments are met efficiently and timely.
• Consistently allocates resources to maximize efficiency and successful case completion.