PROTECTIVE OPERATIONS SPECIAL AGENT - 71000825

Requisition No: 864624 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: PROTECTIVE OPERATIONS SPECIAL AGENT - 71000825

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 71000825 

Salary:  $60,000.20 - $63,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 11/21/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

PROTECTIVE OPERATIONS SPECIAL AGENT

PROTECTIVE SERVICES DIVISON

**Open-Competitive Opportunity**

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is currently seeking sworn law enforcement officers to fill multiple Protective Operations Special Agent (POSA) positions in the Protective Services Division (PSD) in Tallahassee, Florida. PSD is a specialized operational component primarily dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the Governor and First Family, the Governor’s Mansion and grounds and the Executive Office of the Governor.  PSD also provides protective services to visiting public officials/figures, particularly other United States governors and their families.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Protective Operations Special Agents assigned to PSD are sworn law enforcement officers who are trained to protect the Governor and First Family, while in Tallahassee, as well as other locations. Candidates in this position will have the opportunity to travel within Florida, nationally and internationally. Protective Operations Special Agents on this detail will work shifts, including holidays, nights and weekends. Work schedules are adjusted on a regular basis and the applicant must be willing to accept this flexible schedule as well as extensive travel requirements. Applicants must reside within 50 miles of the Tallahassee Regional Operation Center.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Meet the minimum qualifications pursuant to s. 943.13, Florida Statutes & CJSTC Requirements; and
• Have two years of experience in customer service, administrative work, analysis, military, or criminal justice.
• College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for the required experience.

SPECIAL NOTE: If the employee does not hold a current certificate of compliance issued by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission at the time of appointment to the position class, the individual must begin basic recruit training within 180 consecutive days after employment. Such appointments shall not count toward completion of the probationary period.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Ability to work in dangerous and stressful situations;
• Ability to probe and obtain critical facts;
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Ability to describe facts and events accurately;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to analyze and interpret data; and
• Ability to effectively interview suspects, complainants, and witnesses.

Note: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

BASE SALARY:

• $60,000.20

HOW YOU WILL GROW:

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE’s pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program;
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options; and
• Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement accounts.

SWORN EMPLOYMENT PROCESS:

• Completion of Electronic Application
• Completion and Submission of Supplemental Packet
• Oral Interview Board
• Written Exercise
• Physical Abilities Test
• Thorough Background Investigation
• Drug Screen
• Electronic Fingerprint Submission
• Psychological Examination
• Physical Exam by a Physician

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 2,000 members statewide – either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen domestic security by providing services in partnership with local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies to prevent, investigate, and solve crimes while protecting Florida’s citizens and visitors. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

HIRING PROCESS:

All successful applicants must pass a physical agility test consisting of a 1.5-mile run, sit-ups and push-ups, as well as a drug screen, physical exam, electronic fingerprint submission and psychological evaluation to further determine suitability and compatibility to perform the basic job functions. Applicants will be evaluated based on their writing skills and ability to perform during an oral interview process. Persons selected must possess and maintain throughout employment, a valid Florida driver license. A thorough background investigation will be conducted to include a financial credit check. You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant’s immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment and education verifications (which includes official transcript(s)), drug screen and fingerprinting.  This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

NOTES:

Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed at least six months of the probationary period for their current position.

REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
2. 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 cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

 The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

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.