Law Enforcement Officer - University Police Department

Classification Title

Law Enforcement Officer

Job Description

• Perform a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws (vehicle/motorcycle/bicycle/foot); promote personal safety for the university community populace; provide protection and security for university facilities and interests; utilize crime prevention and suppression techniques; maintain orderly flow of traffic, investigate accidents, issue parking and moving citations; respond to complaints, disturbances, and law violations, make arrests and apprehensions; conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations, interview complainants/victims, suspects, and witnesses, complete thorough and accurate written reports, collect/maintain evidence, participate in court and judicial proceedings; assist other law enforcement agencies, fire rescue departments, and emergency medical technicians; attend specialized trainings, address crowd control at special events, render first aid whenever necessary; participate in special details, including crowd and traffic control, and other assignments; participate in community relations activities on and off campus
• When assigned to Patrol or the Criminal Investigations Division: Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations, secure crime scenes, interview complainants/victims, suspects, and witnesses, complete thorough and accurate written reports for use by appropriate authorities, collect/maintain evidence and preserve a chain of custody, and participate in court and judicial proceedings.
• When assigned to the Training Division: Prepare, schedule, and conduct initial, ongoing, in-service, remedial, and roll call training for full-time and reserve police officers, in accordance with CJSTC mandatory training rules, as well as other support unit personnel; maintain training records; instruct new employees in areas of their job that are unique to the University Police Department and that which are necessary to prepare them for their assignment; conduct training classes for the Field Training Officers (FTO), ensure proper direction is being provided to probationary police officers, and review all evaluations of probationary police officers to ensure job task standards are being completed. Prepare orders for uniforms and equipment for department employees. Maintain property inventory on departmental uniforms and equipment. Responsible for reordering and restocking uniforms and equipment
• When assigned to the Community Services Division: Develop and conduct bicycle registration, theft prevention activities, and bicycle safety educational programs; develop, coordinate and conduct community educational programs in the areas of property security and personal safety with special emphasis towards crimes committed against women and alcohol awareness programs; conduct campus building interior/exterior security surveys to determine security and personal safety needs, conduct overall exterior nighttime lighting surveys utilizing crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED); review crime studies to identify trends, develop and initiate activities to address trends, and develop community support; develop and design printed and social media material, maintain liaison with news media to inform public available police and community services through the development of news releases, public appearances, radio, television, and social media outlets; participate in community relations activities on and off campus. When Assigned as a School Resource Officer for P.K. Yonge (K-12): Coordinate educational programs; act as a counselor, mentor, and role model for students; maintain order; promote safety and recommend improvements for the school environment.
• When assigned to the Special Events Division: Coordinate with internal and external partners and customers to schedule and plan campus related events; assess facility security and safety processes; provide recommendations for enhanced safety and security; assign necessary staff to events; provide direction and event-specific updates.
• When assigned the K-9 Unit: Provide for the direct supervision, healthcare, and welfare of the assigned K-9; maintain training and activity logs of the assigned K-9, regularly practice and work with the assigned K-9 to maintain top performance and readiness, maintain strict control over the assigned K-9 at all times; groom and inspect K-9’s condition daily, observe K-9 for any unusual behavior or condition, seek veterinary assistance as required; clean residence kennel daily to ensure sanitary conditions; responsible for the cleanliness and proper maintenance of all department issued equipment, including K-9 equipment and patrol vehicle; conduct building and area searches utilizing the K-9 to search for explosive materials.
• Miscellaneous duties
• Attends training classes, appears, and provides testimony in criminal/judicial proceedings.
• Special tactical assignments including surveillance and intelligence gathering as determined by crime trends and/or as directed by university officials.
• Provide armed escort for university monies.
• Crowd control during all types of catastrophes, which may affect the university community
• This position is designated as an Essential Employee. Essential employees provide vital support to the UF and are subject to recall to work when deemed necessary by the Chief of Police/designee. Recall to work typically happens due to an emergency, disaster, or special event that may coincide with the official suspension of classes and/or closing of offices. Employees are subject to mandatory overtime and continuation of a regular tour of duty. Employees assigned to specialty assignments are subject to on-call status and flexible schedules. Employees are required to be in the work environment.
  
  

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE

Total Hours biweekly: 80, Employees assigned to 12-hour shifts will accrue twenty hours in the one week and sixty hours worked in the second week. Employees assigned to 8-hour shifts will accrue forty hours each week for the two-week pay period. Weekday, weekend, and holiday assignments are possible in accordance with the PBA contract. The overtime required amount is determined by the department’s workload. Special assignments may require on-call status, and/or flexible hours for training, case assignment, and/or presentational obligations.

Advertised Salary

Law Enforcement Officer: $31.57/hourly

• Newly employed officers may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $5,000 under the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

An associate degree or a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must meet Florida statutory and Administrative Code requirements. Must meet the requirements of Chapter 943, Florida Statutes.

Law Enforcement Officer applicants will need to pass physical agility course, a car-push course, and a firearms qualification after their medical assessment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates who have earned 60 college credit hours.
• OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and three (3) years of prior law enforcement or corrections experience at a department of medium-to-large size;
• OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and three (3) years of full-time, active military experience;
• OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and five (5) years of experience as a member of a Police Department Reserve Force;
• OR graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma and five (5) years of post-high school work experience serving the public at-large.
• NOTE: UFPD prefers Police Officers to earn 60 college credit hours within three years of start date and you must have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree to be promoted. UFPD offers tuition reimbursement.
  
  

Communication & Collaboration

• Effectively communicates verbally and in writing; Demonstrates empathy and compassion
• Collaborate with internal and external partners; works independently and on a team.
• Provide customer service through community interactions with an educational focus; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
  
  

Problem Solving, Critical Thinking Skills & Innovation

• Utilizes de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Manage critical incidents and crises
• Innovate and display mental agility
  
  

Ethical, Moral & Professional Behavior

• Behave morally and make ethical decisions,
• Establish and maintain command presence,
• Demonstrate physical and mental courage and maintain situational awareness,
• Uphold University of Florida regulations, Florida State Statutes, the U.S. Constitution, and
• Serve the public while engendering values of justice, professionalism, trust, service, and integrity.
  
  

Navigate University of Florida geography.

Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of controlling laws, ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations
• Considerable knowledge of the rules and methods of preserving evidence
• Considerable knowledge of the geography of UF and adjoining area
• Considerable knowledge of the practices and techniques of traffic control and criminal investigations
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of model police work
• Some knowledge of first aid methods
  
  

Special Instructions To Applicants

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

In order to be considered, you must be State of Florida certified.

If you are currently enrolled in an academy, please apply.

This posting will be used to fill multiple positions.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page for more specific information.

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Health Assessment Required: Yes