AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROT SPEC - OPS - 42903101

State of Florida • Fort Myers, FL

16h • $23 - $26 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry. The headquarters for this position is negotiable within Miami-Dade, Broward, Glades and Palm Beach Counties. The primary duties involve enforcing state and federal laws regarding animal disease control to protect Florida's agricultural industry and public safety. This includes emergency preparedness, assuring the quality of agricultural products, and cooperating with USDA personnel. The role has regulatory responsibilities and requires willingness to respond to emergency duty, potentially for extended periods, and to wear personal protective equipment, including respirators. Some alternate work hours and occasional travel are also required. Candidates must be honest and authentic in their responses, as the use of AI tools will be considered.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Willingness to respond to emergency duty, whether called day or night.
• Willingness to be deployed from your assigned headquarters for extended periods of time (up to 30 days).
• Must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation.
• Must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.
• Must wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) when required.
• Must reside in required county(ies) throughout employment in this position.
• Computer skills
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, climb, stand and walk several hours each day
• Ability to work on uneven terrain
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the care, management and husbandry of livestock including equine or poultry.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a dedicated member of the Division’s emergency response team to conduct animal and agricultural emergency response initiatives.
• Respond to emergency mobilization within 12 hours for deployment to staff the division’s incident management team.
• Conduct program activities related to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, including coordinated activities with ESF-17 officials through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
• Complete Incident Command System (ICS) training to prescribed levels (at a minimum ICS100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800).
• Attend and participate in division emergency exercises or training events.
• Take an active position within the incident management team.
• Provide presentations for local meetings, fairs, or other local venues as requested.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all division-related emergency plans.
• Maintain all assigned inventory and emergency equipment records.
• Assist district ESF-17 Specialists to ensure foreign animal disease response supplies are stocked at adequate levels.
• Conduct extensive outreach and education to producers within assigned district.
• Inspect animals on high-risk premises and establish quarantines of affected animal disease premises.
• Establish and maintain proper biosecurity protocols during animal disease response.
• Utilize superior communication skills to keep all in the supervisory chain of command informed of the progression of assigned activities.
• Maintain working knowledge of Florida’s reportable animal diseases, policies and procedures, division’s administrative rules and designated Florida statutes.
• Conduct animal disease program activities related to the inspection, control, and testing of livestock, poultry, and other animals to detect animal diseases and ectoparasites that may pose a threat to the state agricultural economy or impact public health.
• Perform general animal health inspections, premises inspections, and investigate complaints related to animal disease in livestock and poultry.
• Document findings and actions taken on appropriate forms.
• Collect samples, promote animal official identification, issue and release quarantines, and educate animal owners about biosecurity.
• Assist veterinary medical officers (VMO) with inspections and testing.
• Formulate test charts and submit samples to an approved laboratory.
• Ensure quality and marketability of Florida’s livestock, inspect herd health plans, and investigate animal disease complaints.
• Work independently and proceed on own initiative and judgment within guidelines established by the supervisor.
• Properly use livestock equipment and perform routine maintenance.
• Perform all duties associated with inspection of livestock for sale at livestock markets, including inspection of permits, Official Certificate of Veterinarian Inspections, other movement documents, and verify animal identification device.
• Enforce department’s rules and regulations regarding animal disease and animal movement.
• Ensure compliance with department’s rules and regulations.
• Prepare and submit required forms in written electronic format for daily activity.
• Maintain proper care of department’s vehicle and personally assigned equipment.
• Provide on-the-job training for new personnel.
• Serve as back-up for the district’s ESF-17 and animal disease ACP Specialists.
• Participate in workshops and training to learn livestock and poultry disease eradication programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

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