What are the responsibilities and job description for the INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY SPECIALIST I position at State of Florida- Children and Families?
Requisition No: 866480
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY SPECIALIST I - 60032984
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 60032984
Salary: $45,990.40 - $93,585.28 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 12/16/2025
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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.
Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) is a 216 bed, all male, forensic, mental health rehabilitation facility. The Center is located in northeast Gainesville, Florida on 639 picturesque acres with regular sightings of deer, turkey, and other wildlife. NFETC employs a variety of entry level to leadership positions including food service, maintenance, direct care, nurses, counselors, rehab therapists, medical doctors, security, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
NORTH FLORIDA EVALUATION AND TREATMENT FACILITY IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.
This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Institutional Security Specialist I within the Security Unit. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Staff observation posts for the prevention of escapes by residents and from intrusion into the secure area by unauthorized persons, vehicles or items. Monitor the periguard system observe traffic in and around the Institution. Monitor the PELCO camera system and have a good working knowledge of the system.
- Provide escort services and standby assistance as needed.
- Provide proctection for the residents, staff and visitors of NFETC.
- Monitors ingress and egress of persons, vehicles, and objects into and out of the secure area. This includes but is not limited to: admissions, discharges, and visitation. Ensure that the proper paper work is received a filled out before accepting a admission or discharging a resident.
- Takes part in training for job performance improvement and certification.
- Respond to various incidents which include but are not limited to: use of physical intervention, mechanical restraints and use of chemical agents.
- Maintain written logs and writes accurate and concise reports, and operates computer systems. Maintain resident counts. Set up and receive resident counts and be familiar with the entire operation of the Security Control Room.
- Conduct searches of people, places, property. Participate in the search of residential building areas and auxillary areas to prevent the introduction of contraband. Perform periodic checks of the access road and staff parkling lot to prevent intrusion into the Institution.
- Monitors the distributionand receiving of institutional keys and I.D.'s
- Operates communication equipment which includes telephones, and radios.
- Acts as bailoff for court medication hearings. Maintain proper security of residents being transported outside of the Institution. Ensure that all transport paperwork is correct before leaving the Institution and returning to the institution. Ensure that the proper restraints are used and applied correctly on residents when monitoring them outside the Institution. Ensure that the Transport Vehicle is checked before use.
- Respond to various crisis situations which include but are not limited to: escape attempts, escapes, hostage situations, riots, crimes, and natural disasters.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:
- Ability to deal effectively with individuals.
- Ability to recognize dangerous or potentially dangerous situations.
- Ability to investigate suspicious or unusual events.
- Ability to work without close supervision and to make independent decisions.
- Ability to respond calmly in an emergency situation and to determine proper course of action.
- Ability to make accurate observations.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Performs related work as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- In accordance with Florida Statute 943, any person employed in this class must:
- Be at least 19 years of age.
- Be a citizen of the United States notwithstanding any laws of the State to the contrary.
- Be a high school graduate or its "equivalent" as the term may be determined by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
- Not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, nor have received a dishonorable or undesirable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after July 1, 1981, pleads guilty or nolo contendere or is found guilty of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement shall not be eligible for employment or appointment as an officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
- Have his/her processed fingerprints on file with the employing agency.
- Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician based on specifications established by the Commission.
- Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the Commission.
- Have completed a 320-hour basic recruit training course or its equivalent as established by the Commission.
Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety:
- Include the supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
- Account for and explain 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” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
- If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.
Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
- Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
- For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES
US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
Salary : $45,990 - $93,585