AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECT SPEC - 42001351

State of Florida

7d • $40,000 - $44,000

About The Position

This is a professional position assigned to perform inspection and cultural work related to the Chiefland citrus foundation facility in the statewide Citrus Budwood Registration program.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required.
• Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and must pass post-employment physical examinations to determine medical fitness for respirator and/or SCBA use.
• Must obtain restricted-use pesticide license within six months of initial employment and maintain licensure thereafter.
• Knowledge of the procedures, policies and equipment used in the budwood foundation grove work.
• Knowledge of plant cultivation.
• Knowledge of labeling laws and best management practices in the use of pesticides, fertilizer and nutritional supplements.
• Skill in the use of greenhouse/farm equipment.
• Ability to pay attention to details and note discrepancies.
• Ability to follow verbal instructions.
• Ability to read and do basic arithmetic.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate work assignments, and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 50-pound objects.

Responsibilities

• Maintains virus-tested trees in the budwood foundation greenhouses and seed source block, including: Planting and removal of citrus trees.
• Applying sprays and fertilizers for insect and disease control and plant nutrition.
• Cultivate, mow, or apply herbicides to greenhouse, seed block, and landscape areas.
• Prune, weed and water citrus trees.
• Maintains landscape and lawn areas of the Chiefland facility property.
• Participates in cutting budwood from foundation greenhouse trees, keeping individual tree identity and filling out all paperwork required for distribution.
• Participates in fruit harvest and the seed extraction process in the seed source block.
• Keeps accurate records of all tree plantings, removals, and chemical applications.
• Inputs, verifies and reconciles electronic data with visual inspection of each source tree.  Ensures data is up-to-date, and reflects true-to-type, harvesting records, location, and all relevant inspection data for each source tree.
• Inspects foundation citrus trees for the presence or absence of diseases of regulatory or cultural significance. Collects plant or leaf specimens for testing, and/or submits specimens to diagnostic experts to determine or confirm the absence of disease of citrus. Collects soil or arthropod specimens for identification of soil borne pathogens or pests, and/or submits specimens to experts for identification. Inspects trees to detect deficiencies related to cultural practices, nutrition, water, or temperature.
• Operates and performs routine maintenance on motorized equipment including trucks, and tractors; services all greenhouse and related equipment, including cooling system, irrigation system, fans, heaters, vents, pumps, sprayers, mowers, etc. Keeps all such equipment clean and in operating condition.
• Participates in weekend and holiday watering of greenhouse plants and seasonal cold protection measures after regular working hours as needed.
• Related duties as required by management.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

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