Government Trainee Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

At Orange County Government, we are proud to serve the public with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. We develop innovative policies and services that impact Central Florida and shape the future of our community. We believe in hiring the very best. Our workplace experience sets us apart and makes us a great place to work. Our goal is to create an environment of exceptional organizational values, customer service standards, and employee satisfaction. Orange County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment and services to all individuals.
Orange County Corrections Department is seeking highly motivated candidates to fill the position of "Non-Certified Correctional Officer Trainee". This is a paid Trainee/Academy Recruit Position for applicants who are NOT certified as a Correctional Officer in the State of Florida. Only those selected candidates who successfully complete the pre-employment process and are hired by the Orange County Corrections Department will be sponsored for the Basic Corrections Academy to become a Certified Correctional Officer.
Please read the entire posting and print a copy for your future reference, as you will need it during the process. Additionally, ensure the phone number and email address on your application is accurate and that it is an email account you check on a daily basis as we will be using this to contact you for various steps in the hiring process.
Job Description
Job Description
General Functions
Participates in training activities associated with preparing for the Florida State certification examination for Correctional Officer.
Representative Duties/Assignments

• Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties, it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.
• Attends and participates in the Corrections Academy at the Valencia College Criminal Justice Institute.
• The Corrections Academy is a 12-week comprehensive course that covers various courses that satisfy the requirements to become a certified correctional officer.
• Performs physical training activities such as running, climbing, crawling, push-ups, sit-ups, and vertical leap associated with correctional officer training.
• Attends, participates, and completes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Standards Certification classes.
• When trainees are not actively engaged in academy courses, they will perform various duties under the supervision of a Correctional Corporal or Sergeant.
• Must be able to work all shifts, weekends, and holidays. Work hours may be 8, 10 or 12 hours depending on area of assignment.
• May perform supervised Correctional Officer duties with inmate contact.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must obtain a valid Florida Driver's License within thirty days of hire.
• Must obtain a correctional officer certification within six months of starting an academy.
• Must be at least 19 years of age and a United States citizen.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Application Deadline
Open Date: 08/11/2026
Close Date: 08/30/2026
This posting is subject to close without prior notice.
Salary Information
Pay Grade: 552 - From $28.25 to $33.92
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Placement based on Education and Experience
Benefits

• 10 paid holidays and up to 1 floating holidays annually.
• 18 days paid time off per year.
• Longevity bonus based on years of service.
• 6 days of paid TERM (sick) time annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, additional life insurance.
• Free basic life, long term disability, and employee assistance for all the family members effective on day one.
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System.

• Employee assistance program includes multiple free one on one sessions with licensed counselors and online tools for legal advice, financial planning, personal life balance, etc.
• Free access to Wellworks gyms and Orange County Recreation Centers.
• Free onsite wellness coaching, including dietician and nurse.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Earn service time to forgive student loans.

Disclaimer: Benefits may vary for employees under collective bargaining agreements.
For more information on Benefits visit - https://www.ocfl.net/EmploymentVolunteerism/EmployeeBenefits.aspx
Veterans Preference
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the closing date of the posting. Please scan and upload a copy of your cover letter and supporting documents, to Orange County Human Resources Division via the secure Box.com folder.
Your cover letter should include the Job ID number you are applying for, the title of the position, your full name and the last 4 digits of your social security number. *If you are a current employee returning from active military service, you may be eligible for promotion preference if the active military service qualifies for Veterans' Preference. Please note that Veterans' Preference applies only to a Veterans' first promotion after reinstatement or reemployment, without exception.
Educational Requirements
If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.
Notes
Selected candidates will be required to successfully complete the pre-employment drug, physical and background check.
In addition, Orange County Corrections Department uses the following hiring standards in accordance with FDLE regulations, and they include, but are not limited to:

• Not have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor that involves perjury or false statement.
• Not have been guilty or nolo contendere after July 1, 1981, to any felony or of a misdemeanor that involves perjury or false statement, whether or not adjudication was withheld, or sentence suspended.
• Not have committed a felony crime within three years of the date of application.
• Not have been convicted, accepted a plea bargain, or entered a pre-trial diversion program of any offense which can be considered domestic violence.
• Not have been using or possessing marijuana within the last one (1) year prior to application and continuing employment.
• Not have been using or possessing any other controlled substance within the last three (3) years prior to application and continuing employment.
• Not have been involved in any illegal sale or trafficking of a controlled substance to others whether for profit or not.
• Not have been discharged from a job within the last year.
• Not have received a Written Reprimand or greater within six (6) months from date of application.
• Not have five (5) convictions singly or in combination of any traffic violations, except parking tickets, covered under any State or Federal law, or any valid ordinance of municipality or county.

All applicants selected for hire must successfully complete a Level 2 background check with includes polygraph examination, psychological assessment, and fingerprints
Tattoos, Branding and Body Ornamentation:
Employees are required to conceal any tattoos that are considered obscene or offensive as determined by Orange County Policy Manual and Operational Regulations Section 406, Dress Code and Appearance. Examples of prohibited tattoos include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Content that depicts nudity or sexual acts.
• Content that displays obscene, racist, sexist or vulgar words or illustrations.
• Content that depicts symbols used by militant and/or racist groups.
• Content that appears to promote, support or identify gangs, gang activity or gang affiliation.
• Content deemed by management to detract from the professional appearance in uniform.

Employees hired after October 1, 2022, are prohibited from having tattoos, brands or body ornamentation above the collar bone.
f. Dental Ornamentation:
2) Employees hired after September 1, 2015, will not use gold, silver, or other caps or veneers for the purpose of dental ornamentation unless deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a licensed dentist. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneer, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels or initials.
Regardless of hire date employees will be prohibited from unnatural shaping teeth for non-medical reasons (e.g. fangs) or wearing removable dental ornamentation (e.g. grills).
g. Gauging:
Regardless of hire date, uniformed staff are not permitted to wear any type of gauge while on duty or while performing official Department business. Visible openings, for example the earlobe caused by stretching/wearing a gauge must be completely concealed at all times.
Basic Abilities Test (BAT) Correctional Officer Test Information
BAT is a test required by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Selected. Applicants will be required to submit proof they have taken and passed the BAT in order to continue in the hiring process. The test is available at local colleges such as Seminole College and Valencia College and is taken at the applicant's expense. If you have taken the CJBAT in the past, then it is valid for four (4) years.
All applicants will be required to participate in the Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
The Physical Abilities Test (PAT) consists of a series of physical activities designed to evaluate fitness to perform specific job-related tasks. The battery of job-related field tests is intended to be completed in the fastest possible time and will require effort on the part of the applicant. The test is designed to measure balance, muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic power and capacity, and fine motor skills.
The minimum PAT fitness standards that candidates are required to successfully perform are:

• Navigate a 388.66-yard obstacle course, including a 50-foot serpentine run.
• Negotiate a high step hurdle over obstacles approximately 24 inches tall.
• Low crawl
• Climb through a window 40-inches tall.
• 10-stair ascent and descent
• 150-pound dummy drag
• Use a training gun to fire 6 simulated shots with each hand.
• Manipulate a locking mechanism.