Salary : $43,255.63 Annually
Location : 692 NW 30th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475, FL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-34
Bureau: Operational Support
Division: Special Operations Division
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Description
This is a civilian position primarily responsible for responding to and investigating traffic crashes within unincorporated Marion County. Also performs a wide range of roles in support of countywide Patrol Operations. Respond to calls for service, investigate crimes and other offenses that do not involve suspects on scene or other volatile situations. Will direct traffic, interview witnesses, perform school crossing guard duties, initiate reports, and conduct VIN verifications.
Examples of Duties
A. Abide by the "Law Enforcement Code of Ethics."
B. Investigate all complaints which are assigned to him/her or are brought to his/her attention by any means and take police action in those cases which come under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office.
C. Complete and submit all reports into the SmartCOP system prior to the end of their shift.
D. Be available for service while on duty.
E. Respond to situations involving recent criminal activity and gather information accordingly.
F. Patrol parking areas to ensure compliance with laws and ordinances.
G. Take into official custody property that has been lost, stolen, or abandoned in accordance with Agency procedures.
H. Conduct in-depth investigations of criminal incidents, either independently or as part of a coordinated effort.
I. Testify in court or depositions as necessary.
J. Observe, report, and whenever feasible, follow up on conditions which pose potential threats to public safety and health, to include floods or fires.
K. Provide rescue and first aid services in accidents, disasters and other emergency situations, consistent with training and abilities.
L. Maintain an alert and business-like manner, and a military bearing upon the street or in a vehicle.
M. Maintain cleanliness and operational readiness of all assigned equipment.
N. Become thoroughly familiar with the boundaries of Marion County in relation to neighboring counties and become familiar with the proper names and locations of streets, avenues, terraces, roads, drives, places, courts, main thoroughfares, alleys, public buildings, hospitals, and so forth.
O. Be familiar with the Florida State Criminal Statutes and keep up to date with criminal law changes; also, be familiar with applicable Federal law and have a working knowledge of laws pertaining to other concurrent jurisdictions.
P. Be alert for conditions or situations which inhibit efficient operation of the Agency or the Law Enforcement Bureau and make recommendations for solutions.
Q. Perform other related duties, as assigned, including modified schedule or temporary re-assignment during declared emergencies or activations, as determined by the Sheriff.
R. Be able to follow instructions with minimal supervision.
Typical Qualifications
JOB PREREQUISITES (COMMUNITY SERVICE SPECIALIST) - UNIFORM INSIGNIA- NON-SWORN EMBLEM:
- Have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent and be at least 18 years of age.
- Ability to maintain the physical condition needed to lift and carry equipment, climb flights of stairs, walk, stand, sit or drive for long periods of time, and endure exposure to extreme weather.
- Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License, with a good driving record.
- Be able to effectively communicate information both orally and in writing.
- Proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
- Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine a proper course of action.
- Ability to react quickly and calmly when peaceful situations begin to deteriorate.
- Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully, with respect to rights of others.
- Be in good physical and mental condition and successfully pass physical and psychological examinations.
Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Various indoor and outdoor environments. Subject to exposure to weather conditions. Shift work may be required, including holidays and weekends, and may be rotated. May occasionally be called on to work long hours. Considerable amounts of driving. Hazards include all dangers associated with being near traffic, and other situations that may become dangerous due to the human element. Both physical and mental stress present. Subject to physical and mental abuse from numerous sources.
PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS: ADA
The job requires physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects such as in the event of investigating vehicle crashes. Tasks may also involve standing, sitting, or walking for long periods of time.
Environmental hazards: The job requires inside and outside work; ability to tolerate inclement weather including heat, humidity, cold, fog, and other tropical weather conditions. Possible exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, toxic conditions, fumes, odors, vibration, dust, confined areas, animal/human waste and/or bodily fluids, noise, solvents, heights, machinery, slippery and uneven surfaces, and traffic hazards.
Sensory requirements: Members of the Community Service Specialist Unit should have good vision and hearing.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the Sheriff's Office to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
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. 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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office offers a highly competitive benefits package to all full-time employees and new incentives for Florida Certified Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers.
Employee Benefits are detailed in the Marion County Sheriff's Office Operations Directive 3030.50 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - GENERAL
A. The following benefits are provided to all full-time employees. Some of the following are more fully described in the agency's operational directives.
1. Annual Leave: Employees receive two weeks annual leave per the first through the fourth year of employment. Increases are given after 4, 9, 14, and 19 years of service.
2. Holidays: The Agency recognizes nine holidays, which are identified each year by the Board of County Commissioners. Employees, depending on their assignments, receive either a day off or an extra day's pay for each holiday.
3. Overtime Compensation: Employees receive compensation for overtime. They may receive pay, compensatory time, administrative time, or flextime, depending on their position and at the discretion of their supervisor.
4. Medical Insurance: The Agency furnishes insurance through a group policy. The Agency pays a portion of the premium for the employee's medical insurance. The employee has the option, at their expense, to place their dependents on the same policy.
a. If a full-time law enforcement or corrections officer suffers an on-duty catastrophic injury, in accordance with and defined by F.S.112.19 and 440.02(37), and is otherwise qualified, the Agency will pay the entire medical insurance premium of the employee, the employee's spouse and each dependent child until the child reaches the age of majority or until the last day of the calendar year when the child reaches the age of 25 if still a dependent for support, or if the child is a full or part-time student still dependent for support. If the employee dies, the Agency will continue to pay the premium for the dependent children and for the spouse until the spouse remarries.
b. If a full-time law enforcement or corrections officer is killed in the line of duty on or after July 1, 1993, as a result of an act of violence inflicted by another person while the officer is engaged in the performance of law enforcement duties or as a result of an assault against the officer under riot conditions shall pay the entire premium of the political subdivision's health insurance plan for the employee's surviving spouse until remarried, and for each dependent child of the employee until the child reaches the age of majority or until the end of the calendar year in which the child reaches the age of 25. Note: In the line of duty death benefit, the Sheriff may continue to pay the premium of the spouse who has remarried and still has children who continue to qualify for the health insurance benefit.
(1) Benefits payable from another source will reduce these benefits paid by the
Agency. To commit a fraud in obtaining these benefits is a first-degree misdemeanor. A conviction, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, will result in the employee forfeiting the right to receive the benefits and having to pay the Agency back for benefits paid due to the fraud.
c. In order for the officer or spouse and children to be eligible for benefits, the injury must have occurred while in fresh pursuit, responding to what is reasonably believed to be an emergency, or an unlawful act perpetrated by another.
d. An employee qualified for these benefits is not eligible for any other health insurance subsidy from the Agency.
e. F.S.S. 112.0801 provides that retirees and their eligible dependents shall be offered the same health and hospitalization insurance coverage as is offered to active employees. Retirees will receive a credit of $5.00 per month for each year worked, not to exceed $150.00 per month, or the cost of the insurance.
(1) Even though the State of Florida considers all service under the FRS, the Sheriff will only consider the years worked at the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
(2) The Sheriff's subsidy is a credit to the total cost of the insurance. This shall not exceed the total monthly cost, after subtracting the subsidy received from FRS.
a. The subsidy shall be given to the employee until the employee reaches the age of 65, and then the benefit will stop.
5. Worker's Compensation: Employees are covered by Worker's Compensation for on-duty injuries, per Worker's Compensation laws. (See Operations Directive 3035.00)
6. Life Insurance: The Agency pays the premium for one (1) time the employee's annual salary for life insurance, including $12,000 accidental death and dismemberment for all employees. The employee can purchase additional amounts, if they desire. (See Optional Benefits, paragraph 3030.55).
7. Additional Life Insurance: In addition to the regular life insurance in paragraph 6 above, the Sheriff also furnishes a $200,000 policy for on-the-job accidental death, and a $150,000.00 policy for on-the-job intentional death for all employees. In addition, the Federal Government furnishes a death benefit for officers killed in the line of duty.
8. Long Term Disability Insurance: The Agency furnishes long term disability insurance for each employee who is eligible to receive the benefit after a 4 month waiting period. Generally the employee will receive 67% of his/her salary up to $3,000.00/month if he/she becomes disabled. This benefit would be coordinated with all other income received by the employee.
9. Retirement: All full-time employees are covered by the Florida State Retirement System, with a portion of the contributions being paid by the Agency. Retirement contributions and benefits differ for high-hazard/ Special Risk employees (law enforcement and corrections officers).
a. Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) is offered by the Florida State
Retirement System. The employee retires, continues to work, with his/her benefits being invested by FRS up to sixty (60) months. At the conclusion of the program, the employeewill receive all amounts invested plus all earned interest.
10. Uniforms and Equipment: Uniforms are furnished to employees in positions that require the wearing of a uniform, including civilian positions. When appropriate to the position, leather and firearms are also furnished. A uniform cleaning allowance is also given to most uniformed employees.
11. Assigned Vehicles: The Agency furnishes vehicles for certain positions, to be used according to the vehicle use policies. Where vehicles are furnished, the Agency pays all business related operational costs, including fuel and lubricants, maintenance, and insurance.
12. Longevity Pay: Employees receive longevity pay based on a percentage of their base salary each anniversary date. The percentage paid increases at five and ten year continuous service increments. (See Operations Directive 3020.00)
13. Sick Leave: Full-time employees receive sick leave at the daily rate of .26302 hours or approximately eight hours per month. (See Operations Directive 3035.00).
14. Recruit School Tuition Reimbursement: The agency may provide tuition reimbursement to full-time employees who, in order to advance their careers withi
