Job Description

Requisition No: 873763 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY SPECIALIST I - 60064469

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60064469 

Salary: $45,990.40 - $93,858.28 / Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator 

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)  is   the 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 .

Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’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.”

FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL 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.

THIS REQUISITION MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES ON ALL SHIFTS.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as an Institutional Security Specialist-I within Security Services. 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 40lbs, pulling and squatting. Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management.
• MONITOR:

• • To ensure Florida Department of Children & 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:

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a United States Citizen.

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

• 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.

• Pass a medical examination and drug test.
• Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation.
• Must be certified as a Correctional Officer in Florida.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety:

• Include the supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities, as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
• 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  .

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:  .

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.

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. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. 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. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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