Job Description

Requisition No: 860560 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: MENTAL HEALTH SECURITY CHIEF - SES - 60009542

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 60009542 

Salary: $34,760.00 - $74,611.92 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/15/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)  is   the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders .

Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) is a 613-bed, licensed mental health treatment facility that provides person-centered services to adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. The hospital, located in Macclenny, was established in 1959 and is the largest state operated civil treatment facility.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Mental Health Security Chief - SES within the Security Department. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include: 

• This position is responsible for the management and direct supervision of the Security Department for a very large mental health institution.
• Plans, directs and implements security activities, including the enforcement of traffic rules and parking regulations, security of buildings, equipment and grounds.
• Investigates incidents of stolen property, break-ins, felonious property damage and accidents, and introduction of contraband on the hospital grounds.
• Coordinates these investigations with appropriate hospital administrative staff and local law enforcement agencies.
• Organizes and supervises searches for unauthorized departure of individual to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Provides direct oversight of the Security Department that includes the direct supervision of shift supervisors assigned to assure the proper performance of duties.
• Initiates monitors and reviews personnel actions and fiscal accountability of the staff and department.
• Establishes and implements policies and procedures appropriate to the function of the department.
• Monitors maintenance of equipment and supplies utilized to reduce cost controllable expense.
• Develops procedures for entrance and exit to hospital grounds.
• Directs the supervision of monitoring visitors and staff’s entrance/exit to grounds.
• Directs the services provided at the Hospital Information Center.
• Assists with investigations to complaints of violations of the human rights of mentally challenged individuals.
• This includes abuse, neglect, and/or mishandling of individuals.
• Consults and assists Staff Development and Training Department with formal security training.
• Develops and monitors fire and disaster drills.
• Ensures scheduling of same and that appropriate reports are filed.
• Meets with NEFSH Disaster Preparedness Coordinator to ensure Northeast Florida State Hospital is properly prepared in the event of fire or other disaster.
• Serves as a member of the hospital Safety and Loss Committee.
• Monitors Supervisors Accident Reports relating to employees to determine if patterns and/or trends exist where safety procedures are not being observed.
• In absence of Transportation Department Staff assists appropriate hospital staff with transportation of inter-state travel, which requires scheduling of vehicles, monitoring vehicle maintenance logs, and performing vehicle inspections to reduce cost of controllable expenses.
• Serves as a certified Trainer of the ALiCE approach to active shooter events.
• Provides initial and recertification training to all NEFSH staff, to include new hires, on an annual basis.
• In addition, will assist in coordinating and/or providing annual refresher training for staff at North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center and Florida State Hospital.
• Serves as MANDT Adjunct Training Instructor for a minimum of one full class per month.
• May be required to teach additional classes depending on the needs of the Department.
• MANDT Instructors will also provide quarterly MANDT Refresher Training as assigned for the purpose of conducting monthly validation monitoring.
• The MANDT Instructors will ensure that the designated staff maintain and demonstrate appropriate MANDT skills and techniques.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position: 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and management.
• Knowledge of security and safety procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of electronic surveillance or other security equipment.
• Ability to organize and direct security operations.
• Ability to perform investigations.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct security activities in an institution.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and operating procedures relating to security.
• Ability to assess budgetary needs and monitor expenditures.
• Ability to plan, administer and evaluate security programs and activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• 6 years of management and/or supervisory experience, including at least three 3 years of supervisory experience in a Security Department, Law Enforcement, or Military capacity.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. 

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. 

• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. 

• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  

• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history. 

• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. 

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. 
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit  .

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT   Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION  All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire . For more information, please visit the SSS website:  .

RETIREE NOTICE  If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING  It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

#SAMH

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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