Rebekah “Becky” Tyson is a native of Highlands County.  She graduated from Lake Placid High School in 2000 and then attended the University of South Florida in Tampa. Upon returning to Lake Placid, she began her career with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in 2007 as a Central Records Clerk.  In that same year, she transferred to the Law Enforcement Administrative Aide position, where she served for nearly seven years. In September of 2013, Becky was promoted to the General Services Manager position, where she served for eight years. In May of 2021, she was promoted to the Human Resource Administrator position. Becky will receive her degree in Supervision and Management from South Florida State College in the spring of 2022.  She is currently a member of the Society for Human Resources Management.

Our Human Resources Division staff consists of three members. Our office is responsible for the processing of all applications as well as the servicing of all current members with regard to benefits and any status change activity.  This Division is also responsible for all Florida Department of Law Enforcement requirements for every new hired sworn member. The Human Resources Division is also responsible for the enrollment into both the Law Enforcement and Corrections academies for deputy trainees.

 

Additionally we oversee the following:

• Promotional Testing
• Grievance Process
• PMP Employee Performance Evaluation System
• Agency Safety Committee
• Facility Key control (with exception of detention facility)
• Member ID System to include Court House ID Security System
• All Insurance Coverage
• Workers Compensation
• Drug Free Workplace
• Family and Medical Leave
• Ensure compliance with all Federal Employment Laws

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Application and Hiring Process

Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

This agency has employment opportunities in the Sworn and Civilian Capacities. Click here to go to the employment opportunities page. For more information, contact Human Resources at 863-402-7263 or email humanresources@highlandssheriff.org. 

Prior to hiring, the following requirements must be successfully met:

• Must be 19 years of age or older (18 for Civilian Positions).
• Have a good police record.
• Possess a valid Florida Driver's License and have an acceptable driving record.
• Be a United States Citizen. (Sworn and Certified Positions)
• Not have used, tried, tasted, experiment with, or possessed marijuana within the past one (1) year; or used, tried, tasted, experimented with any other illegal controlled substance within the past (3) three years; or sold/delivered any illegal controlled substance at any time.
• Successfully pass a written National Police Officer/National Corrections Officer Selection test (Deputy Sheriff and Detention Deputy Trainee Positions)
• Successfully pass a Physical Abilities Test (Deputy Sheriff and Detention Deputy Positions)
• Successfully pass a Report Writing Assessment Test (Deputy Sheriff Positions Only)
• Oral Interview
• Urinalysis examination
• Background Investigation and reference checks
• Physical examination and EKG for designated positions
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological test (Sworn and Certified Positions)
• Acceptable credit history
• If a Veteran, possess an Honorable discharge or uncharacterized.
• Successfully pass a keyboarding test, if typing or data entry work is required for the position for which you are applying.
• Be able to perform the essential functions of the position for which you are applying.

Originals of the following items must be submitted with your application**:

1. Social Security Card
2. Birth Certificate
3. High School Diploma, GED or College Transcripts
4. If a Veteran, copy of Form DD-214 stating "Honorable" Discharge (member 4 copy) or Uncharacterized.
5. Proof of registration as required by Federal Military Service Act (males aged 18-26)
6. Copy of Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Certificate
7. Name change documents (marriage, adoption, etc.)
8. Any other applicable diplomas and/or certificates may be included

    ** If you are mailing the application, you must have the application witnessed and notarized prior to returning.  You will need  to mail copies of all the documents as requested in the application and be prepared to produce the originals at your next appointment.

Benefits include:

• State of Florida Retirement
• $15,000 Life Insurance
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Dental and Vision Coverage
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave

For more information regarding application procedures or to obtain an application by mail or email contact the Human Resources Division at 863-402-7263.

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, religion, or any other legally protected status. If you would like a copy of the Equal Employment Opportunity Report, please click here or contact Human Resources.