NEWS RELEASE 22-009 - FEBRUARY 28, 2022
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Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman today announced the release of the agency’s 2022 agencywide recruitment campaign, “Careers Start Here.”
Over the course of more than six months, the agency’s Community Affairs Office and Human Resources Bureau worked with Sarasota-based creative production company, Captivation Agency, to develop a full-fledged campaign including photos and videos, flyers, banners, and promotional material to be used on the agency’s website, social media platforms, during hiring events, and at job fairs. Agency members featured in the main six-and-a-half-minute recruitment film work in various parts of the agency and collectively share their experiences from serving in the law enforcement profession. Woven into each campaign element are the agency’s community-first culture and family-oriented focus.
“The landscape for law enforcement recruitment is more unique now than ever,” commented Sheriff Hoffman. “Deputies have an increasingly difficult job, but what we hope to accomplish with this campaign is to illustrate how great Sarasota County is, both to work in and raise a family. We are unlike any other place in Florida, and the proof is in our people. With the third-highest starting salary for law enforcement deputies in the state, we are staying competitive and drawing professional, competent, and service-oriented men and women to our organization. We hope this campaign broadens our reach and brings more talent to Sarasota County and the law enforcement profession.”
The starting salary for a sworn law enforcement deputy is $56,123, while the salary for a sworn corrections deputy is $51,018. The Human Resources Bureau performs regular salary reviews to stay competitive and maintain pay scales that reflect the local cost of living. With 1,017 full-time positions, the agency currently employs 353 civilians, 454 sworn law enforcement deputies, and 210 sworn corrections deputies.
“When most people think of a career in law enforcement, they think of the uniform, badge, lights, and sirens,” commented Human Resources Director Staci Pickavance. “The reality is there is so much more that goes into a full-service, fully accredited law enforcement organization tasked with protecting a community of nearly half a million citizens. One of our main goals with this campaign is to showcase all the opportunities we have to offer, from the civilian mail clerk to the fleet mechanic, crime scene technician, and everything in between.”
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office offers a comprehensive benefits package and wellness program, including, but not limited to:
- Partially subsidized group medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Enrollment in the Florida Retirement System (FRS).
- Educational assistance up to $4,000 annually after one year of service and additional financial incentive for college education.
- Unlimited use of Sarasota County’s fitness centers and Employee Assistance Program.
- 11 paid holidays and nine paid sick days per year.
- 10 paid vacation days after one year of service; 15 days upon the completion of four years through five years; One additional day per year thereafter, up to 20 days total.
- Potential to earn additional vacation hours through participation in annual wellness and sick award incentive programs.
“Sarasota County is a remarkable community, and the men and women who serve with our sheriff’s office are second to none,” commented Sarasota County Commissioner Christian Ziegler. “As the brother of a law enforcement officer, the profession is close to my heart, which is one of the reasons I stay engaged with our sheriff’s office. I also think it is important for applicants to research the communities where they are applying and find out how citizens and local governments feel about their police agencies. I can tell you confidently that the Sarasota County commission fully supports our sheriff’s office, its approach to rightful policing, and its community-first culture. By all accounts, the men and women of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office are doing things right.”
To learn more about career opportunities with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, visit SarasotaSheriff.org, connect with the agency on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and follow this link to the agency’s YouTube channel dedicated to recruitment. New career opportunities are posted to both the agency’s website and social media platforms weekly on Mondays.