DEPUTY SHERIFF RECRUIT (SPONSORSHIP)

***JOIN OUR TEAM NOW TO RECEIVE A ONE-TIME BONUS PAYMENT OF $5,000***

Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program

Persons who gain or are appointed as full-time Certified Law Enforcement Officers with a Florida criminal justice agency on or after July 1, 2022, and who have never previously been employed as a Law Enforcement Officer within the State of Florida, are eligible for a One-Time Bonus Payment of $5,000.

Those individuals selected for the Deputy Sheriff Recruit (Sponsorship) position would be eligible for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) bonus payment program after they complete the Law Enforcement Academy and pass the State of Florida Law Enforcement certification examination. Bonus payments are considered taxable income, and will be issued by the DEO in the gross amount of $6,694 (including $1,694 for the payment of taxes). The DEO remains responsible for issuing payments and enforcing repayment, should the recipient leave employment as a Law Enforcement Officer before the two-year agreement has been completed. Additional Program Information is available here.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Officeis now accepting applications for DEPUTY SHERIFF RECRUIT (SPONSORSHIP).

The Sponsorship Program provides qualified candidates the opportunity to attend a law enforcement academy to become a Deputy Sheriff.

The position of Deputy Sheriff performs law enforcement and public safety work in the protection of life and property, and the execution of orders issued through the jurisdiction of the Sheriff.

The hourly base salary for this position while in the Law Enforcement Academy is $20.00 an hour. After completion of the academy, you will receive the starting Deputy Sheriff salary of$67,080 ($30 per hour), plus the potential for additional holiday pay up to $3,960 for those employees who work twelve (12) hour shifts. The Sheriff's Office offers a competitive benefits package including retirement benefits under the Florida Retirement System, paid medical/dental/life insurance, generous leave accrual, wellness benefits, education incentives, and assistance.

REQUIRED DOCUMENT

Each applicant must complete a NOTARIZED Background Investigation Waiver (Download PDF reader). Failure to submit this document will disqualify your application. The waiver must be notarized and submitted with the pre-screen application. A link to the form is provided in red above.

Successful candidates will be hired as employees of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and begin attending the Law Enforcement Academy in January 2027. Enrollment in the Academy is dependent on the needs of the agency. Candidates may be pre-qualified for future academies.

**NOTE: Selected applicants will not be paid/reimbursed for mileage driving to and from the Law Enforcement Academy.*

Applications must be submitted before the closing date of August 24, 2026.

Note: Listed functions, duties, responsibilities, and skills are not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary for the operational efficiency of the Sheriff's Office.

REFERENCE DEPUTY SHERIFF and DEPUTY RECRUIT VIA JOB DESCRIPTIONS

• Candidates must sign an agreement with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office
• Candidates selected must fulfill all of the requirements of the law enforcement academy
• Candidates who fail to complete and/or pass the academy or the State Officer Certification Exam will be required to reimburse the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for all expenses incurred
• Candidates must follow all policies, procedures, and general orders of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office
• Candidates must follow all policies and procedures of the college that is hosting the academy
• Candidates are required to pass the BAT (Basic Abilities Test), PAT (Physical Abilities Test), and the Civil Service written exam (See Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other section for additional information
• Performs all other duties as assigned or required

Applicant must be at least 21 years of age

• Applicant must be a United States citizen
• Applicant must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License
• Applicant would qualify with an associate's or bachelor's degree OR 60 hours of college credit; OR military experience (2 years active or 4 years reserve status); OR three (3) years of experience as a Sworn Law Enforcement Officer or a Certified Corrections Officer; OR three (3) years of consistent work experience (within the last five (5) years)
• Selected applicants will be requested to sign an Employment Agreement for a 2-year time commitment in the position from successful completion of the agency's field training program
• Applicants who do not successfully complete the Academy will be required to reimburse the Sheriff's Office for all expenses incurred up to the last active training date
• Upon successful completion of the Academy, applicants are required to pass the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) state exam
• Applicant must pass a physical examination with drug screening and a psychological evaluation by a licensed physician
• All applicants must submit to a thorough background investigation in accordance with FDLE standards
• All applicants will be required to take a Physical Abilities Test (P.A.T.) and a Civil Service written examination. Applicants must score at least 70% on the Civil Service examination in each of the four (4) sections (math, reading comprehension, grammar, and report writing)
• View SCSO Law Enforcement Candidate Fitness Guide (Download PDF reader) & SCSO P.A.T. for Law Enforcement here

Regular and prompt attendance is mandatory in the performance of an employee's duties for this position, to include scheduled work hours, required training activities, calls for mandatory overtime needs, and calls for service during times of an emergency.

Ability to analyze information or situations; synthesize information and/or circumstances; solve problems; recall facts and/or information; describe persons, things, and/or events. Ability to read and comprehend information; speak clearly; and prepare written reports. Ability to follow written and oral instructions/directions. Ability to read maps; select the correct radio code for the situation; operate radio equipment; follow radio procedures; attain and maintain weapons proficiency; maintain personal fitness; demonstrate firearms safety procedures; demonstrate service weapon firing; demonstrate shotgun firing; and demonstrate chemical agent use.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment is generally in a classroom setting, detention facility, in a Sheriff's Office marked emergency vehicle (depending on job assignment), or in a field work environment.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIREMENTS

Mobility-Frequent standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time, walking for extended periods of time, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, running, may be required to drive an agency vehicle; constant use of a computer; use of a firearm

Lifting-Able to lift 75 pounds

Visual-Constant overall binocular vision; constant color perception, constant eye-hand coordination; constant depth perception; frequent reading/close-up work; constant field of vision/peripheral

Dexterity-Frequent repetitive motion and reaching

Hearing/Talking-Constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio

Emotional/Psychological-Potential contact with hostile individuals; direct inmate contact, exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief, and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration

Special Requirements-Ability to behave respectably and with utmost integrity even when off duty. Shift work (days or nights) with rotating days off, including working weekends, nights, holidays, and/or overtime; May be required to respond for any critical incident, manmade or natural; must be able to appropriately wear and operate a self-contained breathing apparatus

Environmental- Exposure to varied weather conditions

Seminole County Sheriff's Office

Human Resources Division

Sanford FL 32773

Earagon-vela@seminolesheriff.org
(407) 665-6685

External applicants for employment will submit to a thorough background investigation, which includes, but not limited to, past employment/education verification, driver license review, credit history, prior drug use history, arrest/conviction record, and computerized voice stress analysis (CVSA) testing. A certified examiner administers the CVSA with questions addressing illegal drug use and general questions of honesty and criminal history. Any dishonesty or deception on the Employment Application will disqualify your application.

The background investigation process may take 3-6 months depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which you've applied. Applicants selected for employment will be provided a conditional offer and required to submit to a medical examination with drug screening.

Candidates must also comply with the Agency's current Tattoo and Body Ornamentation Policy. A copy of General Order 28 - Dress and Appearance can be accessed here (Download PDF reader). An applicant's tattoos and body ornamentation must be disclosed at the time of application and will be documented as part of the agency's review process, even if otherwise meeting the Agency's policy.

Applicants not selected for employment will receive notification from the Human Resources Division, to include justification based on the following disqualifiers: negative background, failure to meet minimum qualifications as outlined in the specific job description, or any additional information discovered during the interview process. Applicants will be eligible to reapply with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office after one year from date of notification.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is committed to a diverse work force, is a drug free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly support our military veterans and their families, and encourage them to consider applying to agency job announcements for which they may qualify. Preference-Eligible Applicant service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Additionally, certain Preference-Eligible Applicants may also be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements in employment.