Florida Certified and Non-Certified Positions

SELFLESS SERVICE

To be a Police Officer and member of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office law enforcement family means that you are committed to serving and protecting our community.

Sheriff T.K. Waters encourages his employees to be a leader in their field and provides the tools necessary to grow vocationally.

Are you interested in joining our team? Please click here to apply! A member of our recruitment team will be in touch.   

Additional Information:  Benefits | Equivalency of Training | LIMITED TIME - Hiring Incentive | Opportunities Available | Physical Abilities Test | Qualifications | Salary | What To Do After You Apply


 

​ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Following a required amount of time in patrol, Police Officers have numerous opportunities to move to a different fulltime assignment. These areas include, but are not limited to:

• Aviation;
• Crime Scene;
• Computer Forensics;
• K-9 Unit; 
• Marine Unit;
• Narcotics Unit;
• SWAT Team

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be at least 21-years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States of America
• Must possess a valid driver’s license in your state of residence
• Applicants must have a High School diploma or GED equivalent (official transcripts required)
• Must have completed one of the following:
  • Four years of continuous active military service documented with a DD 214, or
  • Four years of full time law enforcement experience, or
  • Four years of service in the military reserves and an Associate’s degree or equivalent (60 semester / 90 quarter hours / official transcripts required), or
  • Two years of full time law enforcement experience and an Associate’s degree or equivalent (60 semester / 90 quarter hours / official transcripts required), or
  • Five years of continuous full time employment and an Associate’s degree or equivalent (60 semester / 90 quarter hours / official transcripts required), 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 / official transcripts required), 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 Office Correctional Officer, Community Service Officer, Certified Bailiff, or Judicial Officer and an Associate’s degree or equivalent (60 semester / 90 quarter hours / official transcripts required), or
  • Possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (official transcripts required)
  • Successful completion of the Edward Waters University "3+1" Criminal Justice program. For more information, please visit: https://www.ewc.edu/departments/criminal-justice-and-forensic-science/
• Be in good physical condition. Please see below for more information about the Police Physical Abilities Test.
• Must be able to run a mile in under 12 minutes.
• Be of good moral character
• TATTOOS:  
  • Tattoos are NOT permitted on the face or neck (if visible while wearing a collared shirt).
  • One visible tattoo on each hand, not to exceed one inch in measurement in all directions is permitted. 
  • One ring band tattoo is permitted on each hand.
  • Tattoos behind the ear cannot exceed one inch in measurement in all directions and cannot extend forward of the ear lobe. 
  • Any visible tattoo (e.g., on the hand, behind the ear) will not be permitted if deemed unacceptable.
• NOT HAVE received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces
• NOT HAVE been convicted of any felony
• NOT HAVE been convicted of a misdemeanor involving false statement, perjury or domestic violence
• IN ADDITION, the following areas may result in applicants being suspended from the hiring process: credit history including bankruptcy and collections; past drug use; inappropriate social media; driving history, work history; criminal activity and associations with known criminals; and inappropriate tattoos.

If you don't meet the requirements to become a police officer we encourage you to explore the other opportunities available at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Are you interested in joining our team? Please click here to apply! A member of our recruitment team will be in touch.

WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU APPLY

• Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test - To register and schedule please visit www.pearsonvue.com/fdle or by calling 1.877.729.0059 (toll free) Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.; and Sundays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CST
  
  The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will sponsor recruit training for Non-Certified Police at the Northeast Florida Criminal Justice Training Center. Recruits will receive a salary and tuition will be paid to the candidates selected for the class.

Certified Law Enforcement Officers

• A Basic Law Enforcement Training Certification issued by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. A copy of state exam test score must be submitted.

• Out of state certified applicants - Applicants certified as a law enforcement officer in another state are asked to please contact a JSO recruiter or the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) to obtain a certification transfer information via Equivalency of Training (EOT). Paid options may be available for those who qualify.

• Copy of the degree.
• Transcripts indicating the degree was conferred.
• Please note that the candidate must have received the degree, and not just completed the number of hours required for the degree.

• A DD214 form or other military documentation indicating the candidate was discharged or released under honorable conditions only or who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions.
• Please note that an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions will satisfy this requirement.
• A single discharge as noted above from a branch of the military will satisfy this requirement, even if the candidate has a discharge from another branch of service that is not honorable or under honorable conditions.

EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING (EOT)

The Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ), in conjunction with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), offers Equivalency of Training (EOT) for those applicants that meet the minimum requirements for the program and who wish to work for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. EOT courses are held at the Northeast Florida Criminal Justice Center (Police Academy) in Jacksonville, FL three to four times a year. If you believe you are eligible for the EOT program and wish to find out more information, please contact Greg Strickland with FSCJ at gregory.strickland@fscj.edu. Additional information regarding employment and opportunities with JSO after completion of EOT training can be obtained by contacting Officer F. Williams at 904.476.5072 for more information.
 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICE PHYSICAL ABILITIES TEST

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office conducts a series of physical ability tests as part of the Police Officer entry requirements. The test is a continuous course composed of certain events relative to police work. It encompasses a total of 250 yards with the course setup outdoors. The following describes each evolution of the test and the minimum times necessary for successful completion.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Fitness Training Guide "Before the Academy"

SALARY

• Police Recruit (while going to the Academy and during the Field Training Program): $50,076 annually
• Upon completion of training: $52,584 annually
• After one year of continuous service: $55,584 annually 
• Limited Time Hiring Incentive of up to $10,000 - 
  • The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will provide a $5,000 hiring incentive to both certified and non-certified applicants to be disbursed in increments following the Academy, Field Training Program and the end of probation.
  • Additionally, the State of Florida is offering an additional $5,000 for newly certified police officers. For more information about the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Program, please visit: https://www.floridajobs.org/recognition-and-recruitment/law-and-order
• After six consecutive years of service: $75,396 annually 
• Automatic step increases to $86,088 annually after 17 years of continuous service

Police Sergeants earn 20% above an officer’s pay, ranging between $83,040 to $103,308 annually. Police Lieutenants earn 20% above a sergeant’s salary, ranging between $108,576 to $123,960 annually.

In addition, those in police ranks may be eligible to receive education incentives. Other pay premium include shift differential, working out-of-classification, Field Training Officer pay, state career incentives for advanced training, etc.

*All salaries listed above are effective October 1, 2023. Paycheck calculations are based on 26 pay periods and before any taxes or deductions.  These base salaries increase in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.

BENEFITS

• Paid time off (Annual Leave) 
  • Begins at 160 hours per year
  • Increases every five years
  • Tops out at 280 hours per year after 25 years of service
• 240 hours per year for Military Leave
• 13 paid holidays 
• Approximately 15 work days a month (on a patrol schedule)
• Defined Contribution Plan –
  • 10% from employee
  • City of Jacksonville contributes an additional 25%  (250% match)
  • Total: $17,526 est. contribution per year
  • Employees are vested in the Defined Contribution Plan at three years of service and may withdraw from the plan at age 50 without penalty.
• Medical / Dental / Vision plans
• Employee Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Equipment Provided and Take Home Vehicle (permitted to be taken home to residences in Duval County and adjacent counties) 
• Overtime and Secondary Employment assignments