RESEARCH AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

Requisition No: 854296 

Agency: Department of Corrections

Working Title: RESEARCH AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 70026705 

Salary:  $57,698.42 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 06/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

We Never Walk Alone

WORKING TITLE: RESEARCH AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

This open competitive advertisement is for a Career Service position located at Florida State Prison with the Bureau of Professional Development and Training.

The mission of the Research and Training Specialist at Florida State Prison O-Unit within the Florida Department of Corrections is to coordinate, deliver, and evaluate training programs that prepare correctional officers for the demands of their roles. This position is primarily responsible for instructing FDLE Basic Recruit Training curriculum, including first aid, firearms, and defensive tactics, while ensuring compliance with department standards and certifications. The position plays a key role in mentoring new officers, maintaining training records, and communicating with institutional staff to monitor recruit progress. In addition, this role supports statewide training initiatives, collaborates with internal and external training partners, and assists in the preparation for audits and evaluations.

This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

JOB DUTIES:

• Lead and Inspire: Coordinate and instruct the basic recruit training program, including first-aid, firearms, and defensive tactics, while mentoring and supporting new officers.
• Statewide Impact: Provide expert instruction and training across the state, ensuring all recruits are proficient and up-to-date with the latest practices.
• Collaborate and Communicate: Work closely with institutional staff, FDLE, and external training academies to support and train new officers, while maintaining clear and consistent communication.
• Maintain Excellence: Keep training records updated, assist in audits, and ensure all training activities comply with laws, rules, and departmental policies.
• Innovate and Improve: Conduct research, analyze training data, and contribute to the development of training policies and procedures, staying abreast of changes in department procedures, rules, and laws.

BENEFITS:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
• Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.
• Tuition-Free college courses.
• Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:
  • Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)
  • Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)
  • Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.

REQUIREMENTS:

Please note, when submitting a college/university degree, if selected for this position official transcripts will be required.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess one year experience as a Certified Correctional, Probation or Law Enforcement Officer.
• Must possess a CJSTC General Instructor Certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to applicants possessing certification in the following areas: General, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, First Aid/CPR.

• CJSTC Defensive Tactics Instructor certification.        
• CJSTC Firearm Instruction Instructor certification.
• CJSTC Medical First Responder Instructor certification.

Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

The Florida Department of Corrections requires all job applicants and volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check as per Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. This check must be completed before they can start working or volunteering.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) only hires U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. FDC uses E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work after completing the I-9 form.

For online application issues, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.