Department:
Emergency ServicesStart Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.
Sarasota County Fire Department is seeking a Professional Standards Investigator to join our Fire Administration team. In this important role, you’ll lead fair, thorough, and objective administrative investigations involving employee conduct, policy compliance, and professional standards. Your work will help uphold accountability, support ethical decision-making, and ensure consistent application of County and departmental policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable laws - all while protecting due process.We’re looking for candidates with experience in workplace or administrative investigations, ideally within a public sector, public safety, or regulated environment. A background in fire service or government operations, along with training or certification in investigations or internal affairs, is highly valued. Familiarity with accreditation standards, risk management practices, and union environments is a plus. If you’re detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to integrity, we encourage you to apply. Starting pay is $71,302.40 - $74,235.20, based on experience - apply today!
In this role, you will...
Conduct administrative investigations involving potential violations of policies, procedures, or professional standards, keeping key stakeholders informed throughout the process.
Plan, coordinate, and lead investigations from start to finish, including interviews, evidence collection, document review, and final reporting.
Ensure all investigations are handled objectively, confidentially, and in compliance with applicable laws, labor agreements, and due process requirements.
Prepare clear, thorough, and well-supported investigative reports and findings.
Interpret policies and follow established procedures while helping refine and improve investigative processes.
Support consistent and fair disciplinary practices by reviewing prior actions, personnel records, policies, and past precedent.
Collaborate with Fire Administration, Human Resources, the County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management, and other partners as needed.
Manage case files, track timelines, and ensure all deadlines - statutory, contractual, and internal - are met.
Identify trends, systemic concerns, and policy gaps, and recommend training or preventive measures.
Provide testimony and/or documentation for grievances, administrative hearings, and appeals when required.
Maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive personnel and organizational matters.
Participate in policy development, training, and continuous improvement initiatives related to professional standards and accountability.
Work Hours:
Full-time, 40 hours per week.
Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
This position requires On Call, as such the work schedule may vary based on business need.
As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.
To be considered for this role, you must have the following:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field and 3+ years of professional job-related experience.
OR: Master’s degree (preferred) can count for 1 year of experience.
OR: 7+ years professional job-related experience may substitute for the required education.
Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.
The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:
Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.
Experience conducting administrative, workplace, or professional standards investigations in a public sector or regulated environment.
Background working within fire service, public safety, or government agencies.
Formal training or certification in workplace investigations, internal affairs, or professional standards.
Knowledge of CPSE CFAI accreditation principles and public sector risk management practices.
Experience working in unionized environments and with collective bargaining agreements.
Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.
Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.
CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as part of the hiring process.
Starting Pay Range: $71,302.40 - $74,235.20, based on experience.
Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).
If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:
1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)
Benefits:
A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.
We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.
Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.
A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).
Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.