SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is holding its first hiring event since reducing the age requirement for those looking to become detention deputies at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
Previously, an applicant for a detention deputy position had to be at least 21 years old. Last month, the sheriff’s office lowered the minimum age to 18, which is allowed by Florida law.
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Sheriff Dennis Lemma said the decision was made, in part, to help fill around 30 open positions at the jail.
“That’s more vacancies than we’ve had in the past,” Lemma said. “Now, clearly, not every 18-year-old is going to be ready to take on that responsibility, but when we looked at it there’s a battery of interviews and a battery of tests that someone has to go before they’re even hired.”
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Qualified applicants would also go through four to six months in the corrections academy, along with a field training process.
Starting salary for a detention deputy is around $52,000
“This is going to attract, if you think about it. At 18 years old you could come in and make $52,000 a year,” Lemma said.
Other benefits included in the position are hiring bonuses for experienced detention deputies, paid training, an educational assistance program and retirement plans.
Saturday’s hiring event is at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
More details about open positions can be found at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seminolesheriff
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