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Job Description
The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.
General Description
The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.
The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for a Full-Time Police Officer. Successful completion of pre-employment physical, drug test, polygraph, thorough background check, and psychological evaluation is required.
Position Title: Experienced Full-Time Police Officer
Date Posted: October 1, 2024
Annual Compensation: $76,892.20 (includes shift differential and holiday pay)
Additional Laundry Allowance: $780 Annual
Employee Health Insurance paid in full - Dependent premium varies by 83% to 89% employer paid, based on plan
Up to $1,560 annually for State Education/Training Incentive
Take Home Vehicle Program
$5,000 BONUS PAYMENT FOR OUT OF STATE OFFICERS RELOCATING TO FLORIDA
$1,000 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EQUIVALENCY OF TRAINING CERTIFICATION CLASS
Performs general duty police work enforcing laws and ordinances. An employee in this position is responsible for the protection of life and property; for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crime; and for maintaining law and order.
EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
Supports the organization’s mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:
Be Service Minded
Value Teamwork
Be Professional
Have the Utmost Integrity
Demonstrates Mutual Respect
Bring a Positive Attitude to Work
Embrace Continuous Improvement
Essential Functions
* Patrols an assigned area; checks doors and windows of business establishments; enforces vehicle parking and operating laws; watches for and makes investigations of wanted and missing persons and property.
* Visits the scenes of crimes and accidents; searches for and preserves evidence; investigates and searches for clues; searches for and apprehends violators.
* Serves subpoenas and warrants; escorts funerals and persons transporting money; assists children at street crossings and controls pedestrian compliance with safety laws; escorts prisoners to police stations; books and escorts prisoners to court; testifies and presents evidence in court.
* Directs traffic; enforces traffic laws and gives information concerning the location of streets, routes and buildings.
* Investigates places and persons suspected of being engaged in illegal activities; checks on operation of public places for compliance with law; develops and maintains sources of information.
* Report to work on emergency call back when assigned to On Call status, and when notified in accordance with departmental procedures. Employees finding themselves in violation of the town’s Drug Free Workplace Policy when called to report back to duty shall report that condition to their immediate Supervisor as soon as possible for purposes of obtaining another individual to be available for normal call in procedures for that instance. Employees are expected to perform all essential functions of their job, including on call duty. Employees who are unable to respond to call back duty may be subject to a performance review, including disciplinary action up to and including termination.
* Report to work as required by the Disaster Plan Recovery Guide and regular attendance during normal work schedule, other than excused or work-related absences.
* Any other functions deemed essential by the Town and communicated to the employee by his/her supervisor or department head.
OTHER TASKS
Every incidental duty connected with this position cannot be specified in the job description and an employee, at the discretion of the Town, may be required to perform duties that are not included in this job description.
Knowledge, Abilities, & Qualifications
Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of police work, as indicated by obtaining a Certificate of Completion from the State of Florida Commission on Criminal Justice Standards & Training.
Ability to perform the varied duties of a police officer after a period of training and schooling. Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively, and to report and record them clearly and completely in the English language. Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public. Ability to make a forcible arrest. Ability to meet approved physical requirements, as mandated by the State. Ability to deliver emergency medical care to injured parties consistent with established training guidelines and protocols.
PREFERRED
Florida law enforcement experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Three years' experience as a sworn law enforcement officer, corrections officer, or military service.
Must meet the minimum standards as set forth by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training, and maintain a valid and current Certificate of Completion. Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required (MVR background check)
Working Conditions & Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS
Majority of time is spent doing patrol work in a police vehicle or police duties on scene; limited office work involved.
Call back duty is an essential function of this position. Employees called back to duty on off hours will be paid for actual time worked, including from time of notice to their return home with a minimum guarantee of 3 hours.
Works an 8 or 12 hour rotating shift, as assigned (40 or 42 hour work week; 80 or 84 hour pay period).
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Successful completion of an employment physical and drug screen to confirm the ability to perform the essential functions of the job (cannot be waived for promoted or transferred Town employees who have previously met this requirement due to FLDE auditing requirements), signed Acknowledgement for the attached “Drug Free Workplace Policy” must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
Successful completion of polygraph, thorough background check, and psychological evaluation. New hires (full-time positions) must sign an agreement to reimburse the town for employment & training expenses if they do not continue with the town for at least two years; a copy of the Employment Agreement is attached.
Hepatitis B vaccination, proof of same, or signed Acknowledgement declining the vaccination (see attached Information to Employees - Hepatitis B) must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.
The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more details, visit our Web page at:
https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits
Closing Date/Time: 4/1/2025 4:00 PM Eastern -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Town of Longboat Key
Show moreLongboat Key is an offshore barrier island running roughly north to south and enclosing the western boundary of Sarasota Bay in Southwest Florida. The island’s eastern shoreline has dense mangroves except where canals have been dredged and marinas built. The western shoreline consists of a white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. On both the north and south ends, Longboat Key is separated from neighboring islands by deep water passes from the Gulf to Sarasota Bay. St. Armands Key and Lido Key lie just south of Longboat Key and West of Sarasota. Lido Key is bordered by Sarasota Bay on the East and by the Gulf of Mexico on the West. St. Armands Key is surrounded by Lido Key on the West and Sarasota Bay on the East. Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key are directly connected to each other by bridges.
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GEOGRAPHY
LONGBOAT KEY:
- Land Area: 4.26 square miles
- Length: 10.8 miles
- Width: .05 to 1 mile
- Elevation: 3 to 18 feet
LIDO KEY:
- Land Area: 530 acres
ST. ARMANDS KEY:
- Land Area: 83.6 acres
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POPULATION
LONGBOAT KEY:
- Full-time Residents: 8,000
- Seasonal Residents: 12,000
- Peak Season: 22,000
- Average Age: 66
- Male: 46.1%
- Female: 53.9%
- Avg. Household Income (2013): $175,000
LIDO KEY:
- Full-time Residents 1,475
- Seasonal Residents 1,000
- Peak Season 2,500
ST. ARMANDS KEY:
- Full-time Residents 743
GOVERNMENT
Longboat Key lies in two counties- Manatee on the northern half and Sarasota on the southern half. The island was incorporated as a township in 1955 and is governed by a seven member Town Commission, each serving a two-year term. The Mayor is elected for a two-year term by the Town Commission. Administration is under Town Management with a full complement of departments; building, planning & zoning, finance, town clerk, police and fire/rescue. Additionally the Town maintains coorperative relationships with police and fire rescue in neighboring communities. Lido Key and St. Armands are both in Sarasota County and are governed by the City of Sarasota. The Sarasota City Commission consist of five elected commissioners. The Mayor and Vice-Mayor are chosen by the Commisson and serve one year terms. All elections are non-partisan and Sarasota has a Commission Manager form of governement. The Commission appoints a City Manager. City departments include police, public works, building, zoning and code compliance, finance, housing and Community Development, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Planning and Engineering.
TRANSPORTATION
Longboat Key’s primary transportation element is Gulf of Mexico Drive (S.R. 789), a state highway classified as “urban minor arterial” running from the northern to southern ends of the key. All other roadways are Town-owned two lane streets connecting to Gulf of Mexico Drive. St. Armands Key’s primary transportation element is S.R. 789 which takes you around St. Armands Circle into Sarasota. Other roadways on St. Armands Circle are city owned. Lido Key’s primary road is Ben Franklin Drive which is just west of Blvd of the Presidents on St. Armands Circle. All other roadways on Lido Key are owned by the City of Sarasota. The Intracoastal waterway runs through Sarasota Bay and is accessible from Longboat from both the Gulf passes and numerous channels on the island’s bayside. There is public bus transportation serving the islands from Sarasota County. The Sarasota/Bradenton area has an international airport, extensive bus service, major state highways and the interstate highway system.
PUBLIC SAFETY
On Longboat Key there are 60 full-time employees in Police and Fire-Rescue Departments. All Fire-Rescue personnel are certified paramedics or EMT’s. Average response time of Fire-Rescue is only three minutes. Lido Key and St. Armands Key are under the jurisdiction of the City of Sarasota. Police Department and Fire-Rescue is through Sarasota County. Sarasota County has 127 Fire-Rescue personnel serving Lido Key and St. Armands Key and response time is just under three minutes. The City of Sarasota assigns four police to cover St. Armands Key and Lido Key, one of those four officers are present 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
TAXES
State sales tax is 7% in Sarasota County and 6.5% in Manatee County. However, medicines, medical services and most food items are exempt. Sales tax rates for transient rentals are 10.5% in Manatee County and 10% in Sarasota County. Area property taxes average 2% of assessed valuation, which is construed as market value. Taxes are assessed as of January 1 each year by the city, county and/or special taxing districts. All property taxes are conveniently combined in one bill due in November and delinquent if not paid by April 1 of the next year. Each person who owns and resides on real property in Florida on January 1 and makes the property his or her permanent residence is eligible to receive a homestead exemption up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. The additional exemption up to $25,000, applies to the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 and only to non-school taxes. You must have a deed, Florida Drivers License, voter’s registration or Declaration of Domicile to apply. Renewals are made through the mail and are automatic unless your status changes.
Tangible Tax – Business property is subject to Florida’s Tangible Tax, which includes everything used in performance of your business except real estate. All businesses whether individual, partnership or corporations, which control, manage, lease or own any tangible personal property such as furniture, equipment, computers, machines, etc. must file a tangible tax return prior to April 1 of each year. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
HOUSING
The islands have a mix of residential condominiums, single-family homes, mobile homes and tourist units. This housing reflects the areas popularity as a haven for retired and working residents, winter residents and tourists.
SARASOTA/BRADENTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, just east of Tamiami Trail (US 41) on the Manatee/Sarasota County line, is a convenient 30 minutes from Longboat Key.
Carriers include Air Canada, Air France, Air Tran Airways, Jet Blue Airways, KLM, United Airlines and US Airways. Commuter service is provided by air Sunshine & Conair. For information call 941-359-5200 or visit online at www.srq-airport.com.
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