Job Description

Requisition No: 869693

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: MENTAL HEALTH SECURITY SPECIALIST - 60072018

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60072018

Salary: $34,760.00 - $52,412.34 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 02/10/2026

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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) isthe 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.

North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) is a 216 bed, all male, forensic, mental health rehabilitation facility. The Center is located in northeast Gainesville, Florida on 639 picturesque acres with regular sightings of deer, turkey, and other wildlife. NFETC employs a variety of entry level to leadership positions including food service, maintenance, direct care, nurses, counselors, rehab therapists, medical doctors, security, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

NORTH FLORIDA EVALUATION AND TREATMENT FACILITY 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 is a highly responsible and professional position serving as Mental Health Security Specialist within the Security Unit. 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:

• Patrol grounds by foot or by vehicle for the protection and security of buildings, equipment, living areas, and fenced-in areas; inspect for hazards, contraband, unauthorized persons, and eloping residents. Conduct and assist in searches, inspect and maintain all equipment assigned to the Security Department.
• Perform and assist with duties such as: Vehicle Sally Port, Tower, Perimeter, Staff Searches & Entrance and Exit, Control Room Operator, Visitor Processing, and any other assigned post as may be required. Ability to work overtime on an unscheduled basis up to and including 16 hour shifts or more in the event of a declared emergency situation.
• Operate databases required for proper documentation of daily events that occur; check in visitors, staff, guests and personnel from other related agencies conducting business with the facility.
• Participate in all assigned tasks and follow the direction of supervisors appointed over them.
• Participate in hospital-wide drills. Inspect fire extinguishers, fire alarms and warning devices. Participate in disaster preparedness drills. Conduct inspections of areas, the activity areas and staff offices looking for hazards, contraband or any other items that may need repair, removal, adjustment or correction.
• Make routine inspections of buildings in designated zones; conduct walk-throughs; check unoccupied areas and living areas in designated zones, watching for anything that may compromise the environments safety and security.
• Duties include answering incoming local and long-distance telephone calls. Make proper connections to persons or offices via an employee directory Place local and long-distance telephone calls for both staff and the people served. Maintain records of calls placed for the purpose of verification of billing. Operate a two-way radio communications system and paging system. Alert and/or dispatch Security staff, Emergency Response Team and other hospital staff as necessary. Obtain and log information necessary to provide response to emergencies. Monitors camera system.
• Assist in providing escort of residents to and from institution terminals and other hospitals and mental health facilities.
• Assist Transportation with medical runs as needed. Only respond to emergency situations when directed by Shift Supervisor or higher authority.
• Participate as a designee in meetings, special projects, or special functions as appointed, representing the department in a professional and courteous manner. Provide feedback to the Shift Supervisor or Mental Health Security Chief as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety:

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any 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 minimum qualifications.
• 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 REQUIREMENTOnly 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.

#SAMH

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.