Requisition No: 878772 Agency: Children and Families Working Title: MENTAL HEALTH SECURITY SPECIALIST - 60074511 Pay Plan: Career Service Position Number: 60074511 Salary: $34,760.00 - $52,412.34 Annually Posting Closing Date: 10/21/2026 Total Compensation Estimator Tool 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 ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES ON ALL SHIFTS. This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as a Mental Health Security Specialist within Emergency Management 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: 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. Maintain radio and telephone communications as required. 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. Report pedestrian and vehicle traffic violations.
Assist in hospital emergencies such as traffic control for accidents, searches, and providing assistance in reports of suspicious and criminal activities. TRANSPORT: Residents and staff within and outside of the facility. 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. ENSURE: All specified training requirements are in compliance.
DOCUMENT: All required interactions while on duty. Perform other related duties. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position: Ability to perform investigations.
Knowledge of basic investigative techniques. Ability to read, interpret and apply regulatory materials. Ability to use deductive reasoning.
Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to conduct fact finding interviews.
A high school diploma or its equivalent and two years of experience providing for the safety and security of patients and/or staff in either a residential or outpatient mental health or acute care facility. Successful completion of a basic recruit training course or its equivalent can substitute for the required experience. Successful completion of college course work with a major course of study in one of the social, behavioral or rehabilitative sciences can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required work experience.
Valid Driver Licenses Preference will be given to applicants who have: One year minimum experience in a correctional or facility setting. 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
- . 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 www.mybenefits.myflorida.com . 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: http://www.sss.gov . 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. Location: CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL, US, 32324 #job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }