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 | 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:
  • Two and a half (2.5) 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 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 information related to certification transfer through an 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 at 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 emailing JSORecruiter@jaxsheriff.org.
 

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): $65,208 annually
• After one year of continuous service: $66,696 annually
• After six consecutive years of service: $85,200 annually
• BLE Certified Police Officers with three years of experience could be eligible to start at $69,060 annually
  • After one year of continuous service: $70,908 annually
  • After two years of continuous service: $73,056 annually
  • After three years of continuous service: $85,200 annually
• The State of Florida is offering a $5,000 incentive 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
• Automatic step increases to $97,284 annually after 17 years of continuous service

Police Sergeants earn 20% above an officer’s pay, ranging between $93,840 to $116,736 annually. Police Lieutenants earn 20% above a sergeant’s salary, ranging between $122,688 to $140,076 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 5, 2024. Paycheck calculations are based on 26 pay periods and before any taxes or deductions. These base salaries typically increase every year in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. Other pay premiums include shift differential, working out-of-classification, state career incentives for advanced training.

BENEFITS

• Paid time off (Annual Leave) 
  • Begins at 168 hours per year*
  • Increases every five years
  • Tops out at 288 hours per year after 25 years of service*
• 240 hours per year for Military Leave
• 13 paid holidays 
• Benefits for law enforcement transfers*
• 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: $22,821 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.
• Florida Retirement Systems plan coming in fiscal year 2027.
• 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
• Upon completion of a required probationary period, police officers are afforded civil service protection.