Deputy Pilot - Law Enforcement

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting for Deputy Sheriff - Law Enforcement - Pilot.

You must be Law Enforcement certified to qualify for this position.

Certified Law Enforcement Experience Pay:
1 year = $67,619.55
2 years = $68,295.55
3 years = $69,149.39
4 years = $70,013.84
5+ years = $71,064.03

With three (3) or more years Certified Law Enforcement experience, eligible to receive:
- Relocation Stipend to Pinellas County
- From out-of-state = $3,000
- From Manatee, Hillsborough, Pasco or Hernando Counties = $500
- From all other Florida locations = $1,500

First time newly employed Law Enforcement Officers in the State of Florida may be eligible for an additional bonus up to $5,000 through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity while funding is available.

** 10% shift differential for night shift **

A Certified Deputy must have the ability to perform essential physical tasks at a set standard. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office requires potential candidates to meet the listed standards prior to being offered employment. Click here (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader) to view the physical assessment requirements.

Under the general direction of a Law Enforcement Sergeant, or designee, performs general law enforcement work of average difficulty and responsibility in the preservation and protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, the maintenance of good public order, the enforcement of civil and criminal law, and other related duties as required by direction or assignment. All assignments involve responsibility for recognizing the social importance of the law enforcement function and for conscientious and effective performance of duties without immediate supervision. Deputy exercises judgment and individual initiative in the performance of routine duties and in emergency situations.

Positions require the member to work on rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays. Duties are generally performed on an assigned shift, but the deputy may be called upon to continue assigned duties or special work assignments on other shifts and/or at such times as directed to best fill the efficient and effective operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Work is reviewed through personal observation, inspections and by discussion and review of daily reports for adherence to prescribed methods and procedures.

Members in this position must reside in the following counties: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, or Hernando.

• Maintain a current 2nd Class Medical Certificate, per CFR Part 67
• Maintain a current Commercial / Instrument FAA Fixed Wing Pilot Certificate
• Act as a Tactical Flight Officer to include the operation of associated cameras and law-enforcement mission equipment
• Ensure airworthiness of the aircraft before flight
• Flight planning and preparation, including preflight inspections of aircraft and equipment
• As a Pilot in Command (PIC), exercise final responsibility and authority for the safety of aircraft, personnel and equipment during flight operations
• Maintain current awareness of all pertinent agency requirements, FAA regulations and other regulatory data bearing on the performance of their duties
• Post flight inspection, to include refueling
• Pursuit, apprehension, and arrest of law violators or suspected law violators
• Patrols assigned areas of the County to preserve public order and tranquility, and to prevent and/or discover the commission of crimes against person or property
• Makes arrests and testifies in the prosecution of law violators; conducts preliminary and/or detailed investigations of the commission of crime or law violations
• Protects the crime scene, gathers and preserves matters of evidence, takes and records testimony; directs and coordinates activities on-site until relieved by a superior officer; assists detectives in specialized investigations
• Transports arrested individuals to jail, and prepares offense and case reports and investigative information for evidence for court
• Serves warrants, capias, court orders and other legal processes; locates and arrests persons wanted on warrants or court orders
• Enforces the traffic laws and arrests or issues summons to traffic law violators; reports unsafe road conditions; directs the flow of traffic when required; investigates traffic accidents
• Participates in work involving juveniles, making preliminary and/or detailed investigation and follow-up, referring such cases as needed to Juvenile Court
• Assists in the training of personnel
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
• This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
• Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• High School graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or licensed as a degree granting institution by the Commission for Independent Education
• Certification of completion of law enforcement training as required by the State of Florida
• Meet requirements and standards of the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as authorized by F.S.S. 943.13
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License (minimum Class E)
• Consideration for this position requires a credit check
  Preferred qualifications:
  • 2nd Class Medical Certificate, per CFR Part 67
  • Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate
  • 1,000 hours PIC helicopter
  • Airbus AS-350 make and model experience
  • Cessna 208 Caravan experience
  • Instrument Helicopter rating
  • Certified Flight Instructor rating
  • Commercial / Instrument Airplane ratings
  • FAA NVG Instructor endorsement
  • Previous thermographer certification or formal training
  • Preference and additional compensation will be given to candidates with the following qualifications:
  • 1500 hours PIC helicopter
  • 1000 hours PIC turbine helicopter

• Knowledge of professional commercial General Aviation aircraft operations and best practices
• Knowledge of law-enforcement aviation support principles
• Knowledge of aviation safety and risk management applications to public safety air support services
• Ability to work with complex technical electronics such as aircraft mounted thermal cameras and searchlights, various radio systems and aviation tactical mapping software
• Ability to operate with aviator Night Vision Goggles
• Knowledge of basic law-enforcement patrol operations, principles, and laws
• Knowledge of the application of modern law enforcement principles and practices
• Knowledge of the importance of law enforcement work, the geography of Pinellas County, its unincorporated areas, and the general roadway system of the County
• Knowledge of General Orders and standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
• Knowledge of first aid practices
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and perform calmly under stressful conditions
• Ability to work closely with others as a team
• Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, concise and objective written and oral reports
• Ability to enforce the law with firmness, tact and impartiality and to deal courteously with the public
• Ability to recognize and understand the emotional and physical reactions of both victims and perpetrators of crimes
• Ability to render physical assistance
• Skill in calmly and systematically eliciting critical information from individuals who may be injured and/or highly emotional
• Ability to maintain a level of physical conditioning to be able to physically subdue, restrain, and apprehend law violators
• Ability to meet requirements of periodic in-service training in all high liability areas (firearms, defensive tactics, A.S.P., tactical driving)
• Ability to adhere, at all times, to the standards and principles of honesty and integrity, and to keep your private life unsullied as an example to all
• Ability to comply with the Drug Free Workplace Act

The physical abilities listed below are requirements to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.

• Requires satisfactory medical standards as stated on FDLE form CJSTC 75A, agency medical physical clearance form, and the following:
  • Visual acuity of 20/30 vision standard in each eye; if corrective lenses must be used to satisfy 20/30 vision standard, uncorrected vision should be no worse than 20/100 in each eye
  • Hearing acuity, single hearing levels should not exceed 25 decibels at either 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz nor exceed 30 decibels at 3000 Hz frequencies in each ear
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. from floor to waist
• Ability to sit, stand and walk up to 12 hours per day
• Ability to perceive sounds at normal voice range and sounds transmitted by radio and sirens
• Ability to operate authorized revolver or semi-automatic handguns designated by the agency from a standing, crouching, kneeling, or prone position with either hand with accuracy; essentials for this requirement shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following: grip, stance, sighting under various lighting conditions, trigger control, body positioning, drawing techniques and loading/unloading
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to utilize standard vehicle emergency equipment; ability to use mirrors for safe vehicle operation
• Ability to properly identify colors utilized in descriptions
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace