Colonel (L)

  • Job Code: U8703
  • Pay Grade:UL
  • Pay Scale:$140,740.61-$225,184.97 Annually
  • Exempt:Yes

Overview

Plan, direct, and manage a department within the Sheriff’s Office. Colonels shall be aware of potential problems that are unique to their functional areas and be responsible for methods of controlling and solving these problems. This law enforcement (LE) certified management position may also be referred to as Department Commander. LE certified colonels assigned to the Department of Detention Services shall refer to the Colonel (D) job description for information regarding Department of Detention Services appointments but retain their (L) job profile designation for accurate reporting purposes.

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

  • Act as the liaison between command management (i.e., chief deputy and up) and subordinates to coordinate the various department functions to accomplish the Sheriff’s Office unified law enforcement mission and establish department primary goals.

  • Manage and direct the activities of subordinates in charge of districts/divisions, sectors, bureaus, sections, squads, and/or units within the department via staff or procedural operations meetings; assign, monitor, and review work and leave requests; review evaluate performance and initiate corrective action as needed, including termination.

  • Maintain working knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of each subordinate position and functional area within the assigned department.

  • Review and approve requests for personnel to receive the necessary training in their current field of work.

  • Review Strategic Management data and department activities.

  • Review departmental policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates and Sheriff’s Office standard operating procedures (SOPs); review evaluations, studies, or assessments of specific programs, policies, and procedures.

  • Ensure that all personnel follow existing laws, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and directives.

  • Assign personnel to positions within the functional areas; initiate policies and procedures to maximize the use of personnel.

  • Delegate assignments to direct subordinates as applicable (e.g., majors, civilian chief officers, directors).

  • Ensure subordinates are cited for excellence in their work and/or forward service award nominees through the Chain of Command to the Awards Committee Chairman.

  • Formulate and manage the final department budget.

  • Review disposition of disciplinary action recommendations concerning department personnel.

  • Review and respond to all citizen complaints as they apply to the department.

  • Enhance department relationships with that of other entities (e.g., other internal functional areas/personnel, other criminal justice agencies, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, community) by proper coordination of effort, which results in effective outcomes (e.g., crime control and prevention, Sheriff’s Office events).

  • Ensure that investigations are conducted based upon sound investigative principles, existing laws, and in a professional manner.

  • Ensure that assigned cases are thoroughly investigated with the goals of arresting the perpetrator, recovering property or evidence, and providing professional testimony in court.

  • Ensure that any contact had with the news media is professional and courteous; ensure that any information provided to the news media does not violate the constitutional rights of a defendant or interfere with the investigation of a case.

  • Monitor the progress of major investigations; keep the Chief Deputy and Sheriff advised of major happenings and general overall status of the department.

  • Assist the Sheriff in the selection of candidates for promotion in the department.

  • Attend staff meetings scheduled by the Chief Deputy.

  • Answer correspondence directed to the department from other criminal justice agencies.

  • Ensure approved requests from other agencies are complied with by the appropriate personnel.

  • Remain available via telephone and car radio for any emergency involving department personnel or operations.

  • Represent the Sheriff at meetings and on various boards and committees, as directed by the Sheriff.

  • May assume command of the applicable department in the absence of the Chief Deputy when designated as Acting Chief Deputy.

  • Carry out the mandates of the Sheriff or other higher authority.

  • Fulfill all requirements of a Law Enforcement Deputy Sheriff within Hillsborough County as outlined in Sheriff’s Office GEN SOP 100.01 including the pursuit, apprehension, and arrest of law violators or suspected law violators.

  • Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws pertinent to law enforcement.

  • Extensive knowledge of law enforcement guidelines and criminal investigation methods and techniques.

  • Extensive knowledge of managerial, interpersonal, and public relations techniques.

  • Extensive knowledge of traffic accident control measures and investigation methods and techniques.

  • Extensive knowledge of court procedures.

  • Thorough knowledge of the functions, activities, requirements, and objectives of the areas to which assigned.

  • Knowledge of management methods, techniques, and practices.

  • Strong critical thinking skills.

  • Strong analytical and solution/problem solving skills.

  • Strong task management skills.

  • Skill in the application of management techniques.

  • Skill in the use and care of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.

  • Skill in administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.

  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative internal and external working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

  • Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

  • Ability to act quickly and correctly in emergencies.

  • Ability to pay close attention to detail.

  • Ability to enforce the law courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially.

  • Ability to handle confidential information.

  • Ability to use a computer and related software.

  • Ability to meet specific physical requirements as may be established by competent authority.

Working Conditions

  • Working within an office environment within a law enforcement agency, courthouse/court complex, and/or corrections facility.

  • Working outdoors in a subtropical climate in potential adverse weather conditions.

  • Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time at a scene, event, or workstation.

  • Maintaining cell phone availability after hours and at home to aid and guide subordinates.

  • May be required to engage in heavy physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of heavy weight from 160 to 180 pounds).

  • May be required to work non-standard hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

  • Required to wear a Sheriff’s Office provided uniform.

Minimum Education & Experience

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.

  • Possession of a valid certification by the State of Florida as a law enforcement officer.

  • Executive management experience in law enforcement and/or corrections.

Additionally, the following are required:

  • Possession of a valid Florida Driver License.

  • An inter-office memorandum with degree copies and applicable administrative/leadership certificates.

  • Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

  • Successful completion of pre-employment testing.

  • Successful completion of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Physical Abilities Assessment (PAA).

Additional Job Requirements

  • Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

  • Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

  • No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

  • No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

  • No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

  • No felony convictions within lifetime.

  • No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

  • No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

  • Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

  • A master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.

  • Successful completion of the FBI National Academy, the Southern Police Institute (Administrative Officers Course), the Northwestern Traffic Institute (School of Police Command), the North Carolina State University (Administrative Officers Management Program), the National Institute of Corrections, or the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

Last updated: 3/5/2024