Job Description

Requisition No: 875431

Agency: Department of Corrections

Working Title: RESEARCH AND TRAINING SPECIALIST

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 70035995

Salary: $61,100.00 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 05/28/2026

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 FCA-Santa Rosa Training Academy in the Staff Development Section.

The Research and Training Specialist instructs officer basic recruit training, in-service, specialized and advanced courses as directed. This position acts as a mentor to new officers and provides support during their academy training experience.

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

JOB DUTIES:

• The incumbent in this position is responsible for coordinating all staff development and training activities within the service center area of assignment.
• The incumbent in this position is responsible for exercising independent judgement while managing a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Trust Fund Classes and Basic Recruit Classes.
• Duties also include assisting management in formulating training policies and procedures.
• The incumbent is also responsible for implementing, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating training programs on a statewide basis.
• Performs planning, management, coordination, and administration of training programs within the assigned region, and within other state locations as directed.
• Conducts research, collects training data, and formulate reports as instructed.
• Coordinate with Central Office to evaluate training and staff development activities in accordance with guidelines established by Central Office Staff Development.
• Ensures that all training activities are in accordance with laws, rules, policies, procedures, and guidance from management.
• Implements training curricula designed to meet the training needs to staff within the regional area.
• Reports on all activities to the Regional Training Manager daily.
• Instructs officer basic recruit training, in-service, specialized and advance courses as directed.
• Utilizes approved training curricula developed by Staff Development and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to provide classroom instructions to Departmental staff.
• Provides consultation, technical assistance and training to staff, institutions, and circuits within the service center area.
• Assist institutions and circuits in preparation for ACA audits and management reviews.
• Manage and coordinate all activities associated with newly hired officers throughout their in-processing, training, and certification period.
• Acts as a mentor to new officers and provides support during their academy training experience.
• Maintains employee-training records in accordance with established policy and procedure using OLC and ATMSII Collects compiles and analyze employee training records data.
• Assists in conducting training need assessments.
• Assists in preparing training documents necessary for preparing budget requests and other reports of briefings.
• Maintain instructor certifications as required.
• Serve on committees, special task forces, and projects as assigned. Attends meetings and seminars to stay abreast of changes in department procedures, rules, and laws.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Defensive Tactics and/or Firearms
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication Knowledge of Automated Training Management Systems (ATMS)
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of training or instruction
• Ability to plan, coordinate, conduct, and monitor training programs and activities
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to train individuals or groups of people; and Experience in the field of correctional enforcement

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 high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Must possess a valid drivers license.
• Must have at least three (3) years of experience in the field of corrections.

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.

The Florida Department of Corrections does not currently support H-1B Visa Sponsorship.

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.

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.