911 Emergency Dispatch
Deputy Recruits
Professional Possitions
Position
These are the men and women who are the first to respond to your call for help. They are almost always the first to arrive on a scene and give aid and comfort to the injured. They often put themselves in harm’s way every day they are on the job to stabilize a violent domestic call or when they search a dark building for a dangerous suspect.
They pull victims out of burning buildings or give the first life-saving breaths of CPR to the child they have just pulled out of a backyard swimming pool. They serve and protect the citizens of Orange County and they do it with little recognition or fanfare.
They take it all in and see what they do as simply part of their jobs. Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and regulations. This work involves an element of personal danger and frequent contact with the public during routine and emergency situations.
Benefits
Benefits Start on Day One
- $5,000 Recruitment Bonus for those who qualify (Four years of experience qualifies for $2,500)
- Sheriff contributes majority of cost for medical coverage
- Life insurance and long term disability insurance is provided by Sheriff; employees may elect to purchase additional coverage
- Retirement after 25 years (FRS)
- Uniforms and other equipment furnished
- Education incentive and reimbursement programs
- 12 vacation days per year/accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly
- Sick time accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly
- 13 paid holidays per year
- Gym facilities in many agency buildings
Working at O.C.S.O. is about Making a Difference
The Position
The Process
Paid To Train
Get Started
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO START MY CAREER AS A DEPUTY SHERIFF?
Paid to Train
Recruits with no prior experience can apply to be sponsored. Meaning we will cover the cost of the academy and you earn earn $24.50 per hour while enrolled. Healthcare and other benefits of employment commence immediately upon hire. After academy graduation, newly certified deputies receive their raise to the starting deputy sheriff pay of $26.51 per hour ($55,140 annually) and, if eligible, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will facilitate the process for the new deputy to receive the State of Florida’s $5,000 Recruitment Bonus.
The Application Process
Minimum Qualifications
- Good work history
- Accredited high school or GED diploma
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English
- At least 20 years of age
- U.S. Citizen
- Valid driver’s license for the last year
- Must not have been convicted of a felony
- Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral character, false statements, perjury or domestic violence
- Must not have received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces
- No illegal drug usage within the last year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis
- Must be in good physical condition
Physical Demands
- Cardiovascular strength and stamina including the ability to chase subjects on foot through various terrains (i.e. up/down stairs, around buildings, on city streets, through or in between natural barriers such as water, trees, bushes, etc., or a combination of these, etc.)
- Must be able to engage in violent and physical confrontations including physical fighting with subjects and/or re-directing them to the ground.
- Must be able to physically secure a resisting subject with the appropriate restraints after a physical confrontation.
- Visual depth, distance, and color perception, night and peripheral vision.
- Must be able to meet the agency’s hearing standard established by the agency’s Occupational Medical Physicians.
- Must meet visual requirements of at least correctable to 20/40 in each eye.
- Must be able to use both hands simultaneously and have manual and finger dexterity.
- Flexibility of upper body and limbs and ability to reach with hands and arms.
- Strength in upper and lower body, legs, back, arms, and hands.
- Must be able to wear a utility equipment belt capable of carrying multiple pieces of required equipment for extended periods of time (on average, weighing approximately 20 pounds).
- Coordination in legs, arms, hands, eye-hand; steadiness of hand/arm.
- Physical speed; quick reflexes; balance/equilibrium; able to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to run, jump, climb, walk, sit, bend/lean over, twist/turn, and maneuver into and out of small spaces and vehicles. Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and appropriately.
- Ability to coordinate rhythm of compression and breaths during CPR.
- Ability to accept acute pain
Background Check
A team of expert Background Investigators delves thoroughly into candidates who are selected to process in order to guarantee the quality expected by our agency. Detectives talk to neighbors, research job histories, visit employers, and carefully review all areas of each person’s past. Out of 313 background investigations, 130 deputies and 71 civilian employees were hired. Ultimately, only about 3% of the candidate pool is selected for hire, truly ensuring we hire only the best of the BEST!
Testing and Appointments
- Physical Abilities Test (PAT) – View Details of Fitness Standards
- Voice Stress Analysis (truth verification)
- Ride-along with a deputy (optional)
- Complete Background Check
- Medical exam & drug screen (after conditional job offer)
- Psychological Evaluation (after conditional job offer)
The Academy
Academy graduates are sworn-in as deputy sheriffs and begin Basic Recruit Training (BRT). This extensive 9-week program covers all high liability areas, including driving, shooting, defensive tactics, and agency policies and procedures. After successfully completing Basic Recruit Training, new deputies will complete an additional 14 weeks in the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP). This one-on-one training with a certified Field Training Officer ensures that all new deputies are fully prepared to be a solo deputy.
