*Upcoming: Recruit - Law Enforcement Deputy

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office; Florida; On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus $3,000

Potential extra bonus up to $5,000

Job summary

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office seeks Deputy Sheriff Recruit – Law Enforcement, with an application window Nov 26, 2026 to Jan 22, 2027 and a planned hire date of Apr 12, 2027. Eligible candidates may receive a $3,000 signing bonus and potentially up to $5,000 more through state funding.

Salary starts at $68,960 during the academy, with 12-hour shift assignments after completion. Candidates must be at least 21, meet Florida CJSTC standards, pass CJBAT, and reside in one of several counties.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old at time of hire.
• Meet Florida CJSTC standards per F.S.S. 943.13.
• Complete academy requirements with passing scores.

Responsibilities

• Attend 21-week Law Enforcement Academy at SEPSI.
• Pass all academy exams with minimum 80%.
• Complete 14 weeks of field training (up to).
• Work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays.
• reside in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee or Hernando counties.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Pass CJBAT

PERT (St. Petersburg College)

Tools

Florida Driver’s License (Class E)

Job description

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will be accepting applications for the position of Deputy Sheriff Recruit – Law Enforcement beginning November 26, 2026 through January 22, 2027, with a hire date of April 12, 2027.

If you have any questions pertaining to this position, please contact Recruiting Deputy D. Kirchgraber at [e-mail] or Deputy B. Toles at [e-mail].

This position requires that the applicant be at least 21 years of age and meet the requirements and standards of the Florida (CJSTC) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as authorized by F.S.S. 943.13.

Due to different application processes, when applying for any Deputy vacancy, we ask that you limit your application to one position.

With less than three (3) years Certified Law Enforcement experience, eligible to receive:

• Signing Bonus= $3,000

Individuals receive an annual salary of $68,960.00 while attending the 21-week academy.

The schedule while attending the academy varies, upon completion of the academy members are assigned to work 12-hour shifts.

First time newly employed Law Enforcement Officers in the State of Florida may be eligible for an additional bonus up to $5,000 through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity while funding is available.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies are prohibited from having any tattoo(s), temporary decal(s), and / or body art that is visible on the head, scalp, face, ears, neck, or hands (defined as the area from the wrist to the fingertips), while wearing the agency uniform.

A Certified Deputy must have the ability to perform essential physical tasks at a set standard. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office requires potential candidates to meet the listed standards prior to being offered employment.

Click the following link to view the physical assessment requirements: https://pinellassheriff.gov/media/NeoGov/new-hire-coopers-test.pdf

The review and selection process varies by position and applicant; in all instances the maximum duration is 22 weeks.

Under the general direction of a Law Enforcement Training Sergeant, or designee, participates in the Law Enforcement Academy sponsored by Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. During such time, members are required to maintain education and performance standards in all areas of training as defined by the St. Petersburg College (SPC) and southeastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI) in conjunction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Upon successful completion of the academy and receiving a passing score on the state exam, Law Enforcement Deputy Recruits will continue recruit training in high liability functions at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Position requires the member to work on rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Members in this position must reside in the following counties: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, or Hernando

• Attend a twenty-one (21) week Law Enforcement Academy at SEPSI
• Pass all academy exams with a minimum score of 80%
• Successfully complete training in the following disciplines:
• Law enforcement operation and procedures
• Firearms training
• Arrest techniques
• Defensive tactics
• First responder techniques
• Vehicle operation
• Officer survival
• Emergency preparedness
• Attend nine (9) weeks high liability training in addition to the academy
• Successfully complete up to fourteen (14) weeks of field training
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
• This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
• Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• High School graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or licensed as a degree granting institution by the Commission for Independent Education
• College credits from a regionally accredited college that includes English Comp I OR successfully pass the PERT administered by St. Petersburg College (SPC)
• Pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT)** for Law Enforcement
• Pass the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office new hire physical assessment
• Successful completion of law enforcement training as required by the State of Florida
• Upon completion of training, must obtain certification by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as authorized by F.S.S. 943.13
• Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License (minimum Class E)
• Consideration for this position requires a credit check

**Applicants who qualify as a Veteran or hold an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited college or university are exempt from taking the CJBAT

• Ability to meet requirements of the SEPSI Academy in all high liability areas (firearms, defensive tactics, firefighting)
• Ability to learn and apply modern law enforcement principles and practices
• Ability to learn the importance of law enforcement work, the geography of Pinellas County, its unincorporated areas, and the general roadway system of the County
• Ability to learn General Orders and standard operating procedures
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and perform calmly under stressful conditions
• Ability to work closely with others as a team
• Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, concise, and objective written and oral reports
• Ability to enforce the law with firmness, tact, and impartiality and to deal courteously with the public
• Ability to recognize