Entry Level Security Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879493
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY SPECIALIST I OPS - 60957307
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 60957307
Salary: $25.00 Per Hour
Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2026
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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) isthe 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.
MULTIPLE VACANCIES
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:
The applicant selected to fill this position shall be required to submit to a pre-employment medical examination, including successful completion of pre-employment Drug Screening. This position requires lifting, sometimes in excess of 40 lbs, pulling and squatting. Duties of this postion require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management.

• MONITOR:

- To ensure Florida Department of Childrens & Families and Florida State Hospital's mission and values are upheld
- Electronic sensing devices
- Facilities via walking, mobile patrol and stationary post assignments
- Door and fence alarm systems - Ingress and egress of persons within secure areas
- And maintain radio and telephone communications as required
- And report any equipment discrepancies

• INTERVENE:

- To ensure safety of residents and staff when a resident is exhibiting behavior dangerous to self and others which may involve the use of physical holds, devices or equipment
- To ensure the safety of residents and staff during emergency situations
- To separate residents from distressful stimuli and assist in resolving conflict
- To ensure residents are not neglected, abused or exploited; or report to the abuse hotline if necessary
- To prevent escapes or to apprehend escapees - And report pedestrian and vehicle traffic violations
- To assist in hospital emergencies such as traffic control for accidents, searches, and providing assistance in reports of suspicious and criminal activities

• ENSURE:

- All specified training requirements are in compliance

• INVESTIGATE:

- Unusual, suspicious, or extraordinary events
- Incidents relating to criminal activity and resident abuse cases
- By providing assistance to local law enforcement as requested concerning investigations involving hospital staff, residents or property

• TRANSPORT:

- Residents and staff within and outside of the facility

• DOCUMENT:

- All required interactions while on duty

• Perform other related duties

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.

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) Requirements:
Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.

• Work History - entered with the most recent/current listed first:
• Any and all State of Florida jobs
• Any and all Florida University jobs
• All periods of employment
• Periods of unemployment
• Gaps 3 months or more*
• Education
• Volunteer Experience
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed - you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.

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.
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.
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