OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42913012

State of Florida • CHIEFLAND, FL

6d

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, is hiring an OPS Agricultural Technician II in an open competitive opportunity. This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position paid at $15.00 per hour. The work involves maintaining citrus trees and greenhouse areas, supporting planting, irrigation, fruit harvesting, seed extraction, and budwood distribution activities. Employees must be able to work in greenhouse and outdoor environments and use appropriate personal protective equipment when applying pesticides.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver license. Candidates must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile, including work history, hours worked, and formal education; a resume does not replace this information. Qualifying-question responses must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile. Applicants are expected to provide honest responses, and use of AI to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews may be considered in assessing qualifications. The department encourages qualified individuals with disabilities to apply and supports reasonable accommodations. Employees are subject to reasonable-suspicion drug testing under Florida's Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver license.
• Basic knowledge of plant cultivation.
• Familiarity with hand and gardening tools.
• Ability to work in a greenhouse environment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to spray restricted-use pesticides while using correct personal protective equipment.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and bend repetitively.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid conditions.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and work in inclement weather.

Responsibilities

• Perform annual cutback and seasonal pruning of citrus trees.
• Rake leaves and clear cutback debris from the greenhouse.
• Plant trees.
• Keep the greenhouse free of weeds through periodic herbicide application, using correct personal protective equipment.
• Maintain and repair irrigation systems.
• Participate in fruit harvesting and seed extraction in the seed source block.
• Cut budwood from foundation greenhouse trees, maintain individual tree identity, and complete paperwork required for distribution.

Benefits

• Optional insurance coverage.
• Eligible OPS employees may participate in state group insurance, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED