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Deputy Sheriff

Starting Salary: $55,757.52 – $58,553.04
Agency pays compensatory credit for prior experience.

Patrol Deputy starting salary depending on experience ranges between $55,757.52- $58,553.04 (pay amount includes scheduled patrol overtime)

Now offering a sign-on bonus of $5,000 to newly sworn certified or lateral deputies!

Sign-On Bonus Requirements:

  • 2-year employment agreement
  • Must be full-time
  • Eligible after 6 months of continuous employment
  • Must be in good standing
  • For any additional details, please call HR 850-609-2017

Brief Description of Duties:

The duties of this position require a constitutional law enforcement officer to bear arms and be proficient in their use, patrol areas of Okaloosa County to preserve peace, prevent and discover criminal acts, as well as respond to call for service and prepare written reports concerning involvement in the duties assigned.

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS:

The following list will result in an automatic disqualification from the hiring process.  Please review this list before starting an application for employment.

  • Drug use within the last 12 months (illegal drug use under Federal or State law)
  • Misdemeanor conviction (including a plea of nolo contendere) within the last 5 years for any of the following: DUI, Battery (including domestic violence), and/or Theft.
  • Suspension or revocation of license in the last 3 years
  • Felony conviction (or pleads guilty or pleads nolo contendere)
  • Misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement (found guilty, pleads guilty, or pleads nolo contendere)
  • Dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Meet standards listed above (cannot have anything in background listed as an automatic disqualifier)
  • Graduate of a Florida CJSTC accredited training center or certified police academy, or
  • If not a graduate, must be enrolled in a current or upcoming academy class, or
  • Must be at least 19 years of age
  • United States Citizen
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent (College transcripts can be submitted in place of diploma)
  • Pass the Physical Ability Test
  • Qualify with a semi-automatic handgun and shotgun
  • Must be able to perform the essential functions of a Deputy Sheriff
  • Residency requirement:  Sworn members must reside in Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, or Walton County
  • Complete Background Investigation as outlined in the Hiring Process below

Hiring Process:

  • Physical Abilities Test
  • Drug Screen
  • Fingerprint Scan
  • Credit Check
  • Criminal and Civil Records Check
  • Driving Record Check
  • Pre-Employment Polygraph Exam
  • Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluation
  • Background Investigation
  • Oral Board Interview
  • FDLE Medical Exam

New Deputies

Click below to learn about the Florida Attorney General’s “Be a Florida Hero” Initiative

For more information please contact our Human Resources Office at (850) 609-2017 or email HR@sheriff-okaloosa.org.

Starting Salary: $48,713.60 – $51,168.00
Agency pays compensatory credit for prior experience.

For Out-of-State Law Enforcement Certified or Military Members Working in Law Enforcement Specialties
If you are certified in Law Enforcement in another state, federal agency, or military, or if you have more than four years break in Law Enforcement certification, you may be exempted from attending the full basic recruit academy and qualify for an Out-of-State Equivalency. Click here for more information

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office provides equal access and equal opportunity in employment and services and does not discriminate. Preference is given to certain veterans and their spouses as provided by Florida Statute 295.

BENEFITS: (Full Time Employees)

  • Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
  • Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Retirement Plan under the Florida Retirement System
  • Annual leave, sick leave, military leave and paid Holidays
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Wellness Reimbursement

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: