Florida Department of Corrections
Michael D. Crews, Secretary

• Re-engineered the Employee Relations and Civil Rights Sections to join in a team-oriented format. This structural change eliminated a year-long backlog of complaints within six months.
• Piloted a mediation program to serve as an informal means of resolving staff conflicts. When fully implemented, this program will save time and money, as well as provide a more timely and effective resolution to such problems.
• Completed a formal six-month pilot program on home-based work (telecommuting), which involved approximately 150 employees statewide. Finalization of this program will enhance the department's ability to attract and retain employees, meet the needs of an ever-changing work force, and provide long-term operational cost savings.
• Initiated clustering of administrative/technical functions (such as inmate health care, personnel, and business office administration) in major institutions in several regions. These efforts have enhanced operational efficiency and decreased operating costs.
• Began pilot on the Corrections Interactive Management Advisor (CIMA). This computer-based system will help ensure that discipline is applied correctly and consistently throughout the Department of Corrections by guiding staff through the discipline procedure, identifying appropriate rule violations, determining appropriate disciplinary action(s), and providing documentation.

The Florida Department of Corrections had a total of 27,899 authorized positions as of June 30, 1998. Staff members care for the needs of more than 66,000 inmates and more than 144,000 offenders on community supervision. The DC employs doctors, teachers, correctional and correctional probation officers, chaplains, computer programmers, and food service workers, to name a few. Since public safety is the DC's foremost mission, more than half of all positions are in security areas.

On June 30, 1998, the DC had 26,476 employees on its payroll. More than 70 percent (20,068) of those positions were located in institutions and community facilities, with the majority in security areas. The breakdown of staff by race and gender indicate a diverse corrections workforce.

The DC's mission statement reads, in part, that we believe "our most valuable asset is a well-trained, dedicated staff working as a team to meet any challenge." To that end, the department provides the following employee programs. For more information about any of these programs.

During this fiscal year, the DC completed a statewide pilot home-based work program (also known as telecommuting). The DC is committed to the future use of home-based work as a valid and necessary management tool, which provides many benefits to the employee, the employer and the community. This program will be expanded in the coming years.

Contact: Gena Buonamici, Assistant Personnel Officer
(850) 410-4504, SunCom 210-4504

The DC's Domestic Violence Procedure was the first of its kind among Florida state agencies and among the first in the country's state agencies. DC staff worked with an Interagency Work Group to develop a model state domestic violence policy for all state agencies, based on this department's procedure. The DC's experiences working with this procedure over the past two years have proved invaluable in learning how the department can make a positive impact on the lives of domestic violence victims, as well as in educating our staff and the public and holding batterers accountable for their behavior.

Employee involvement in specific violent, work-related situations may cause serious physical and/or emotional trauma to an employee. The PTSS program is designed to minimize the effects of the trauma by providing immediate intervention and subsequent debriefing by an outside mental health counselor specializing in post-trauma stress.

The EAP provides outside counseling services to employees experiencing personal problems that may affect their ability to perform their duties and responsibilities. Participation in EAPs has resulted in a reduction in absenteeism, sick leave usage, tardiness and turnover, while improving job performance, employee morale and employee relations.

The Florida Department of Corrections is recruiting for Correctional Officers and Correctional Probation Officers for immediate employment throughout Florida.

Minimum Qualifications for either position: 19 years old or older; United States citizen; not convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor involving domestic violence; or a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement; honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States; good moral character as determined by a background investigation; successfully pass a physical examination and drug test; valid driver license.

Benefits include: 13 vacation days and 13 sick leave days the first year; 10 paid holidays; fully paid retirement program; state subsidized health and life insurance; pre-tax medical and child care benefits; supplemental insurance (auto, dental, cancer, legal); promotional opportunities; and Criminal Justice incentive pay up to $130 per month.

Preference shall be given to certain veterans, spouses of veterans, and minorities, as provided by Florida Statutes. Physical and drug tests required. Opportunities are also available in various medical and administrative careers. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Contact: Cathy Leggett, Assistant Personnel Officer
(850) 488-3130, SunCom 278-3130

Correctional Probation Officer:

• Salary Range: $27,170-$41,325 annually, as of January 1, 1999. Salary additive of up to $2,740 annually for certain South Florida counties;
• Must have Bachelors' degree;
• Correctional Probation Officer applicants are normally hired in trainee status until they have successfully passed basic recruit training and the Florida Officer Certification Exam.

For more information about jobs with the Florida Department of Corrections or other state agencies, go to http://jobsdirect.state.fl.us/. You may submit your application online.

Correctional Officer:

• Salary Range: $23,023 - $34,283 annually, as of January 1, 1999; salary additives ranging from $1,900 to $4,400 annually for certain Central and South Florida counties; $275 annual clothing and shoe allowance;
• Fully paid enhanced (special risk) retirement program;
• Must complete the basic recruit training course and successfully pass the Florida Officer Certification Examination. Correctional Officer applicants who have not completed basic recruit training may be hired in trainee status;
• Must be a high school graduate or its equivalent (GED);
• Staff housing provided, when applicable.