CANINE HANDLER

State of Florida • Coral Gables, FL

381d • $43,000 - $47,300

About The Position

The Canine Handler position within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is a professional regulatory role focused on inspection and oversight of agricultural products at secure mail and package sorting facilities. The role involves working closely with a canine partner to detect regulated plant products, ensuring compliance with state regulations, and conducting educational outreach. The position requires travel and participation in ongoing training and certification programs.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; or six months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or one year of experience in professional canine handling, environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering.
• Possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Must attend a 10-week Basic Canine Handler Training and receive certification from the United States Department of Agriculture within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in public outreach programs and presentations.
• Knowledge of federal and state agricultural laws, codes, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspection and regulatory oversight at secure mail and package sorting facilities.
• Conduct parcel inspections and surveys with an assigned canine to detect regulated plant products.
• Identify and inspect products detected by the canine for proper certification and/or plant pests.
• Collect samples and submit pest specimens and plant samples for laboratory identification.
• Determine appropriate certification for entry requirements of plant products.
• Verify all required documents, stamps, or certificates accompanying parcels.
• Take appropriate regulatory action and prepare documentation for rejections, hold orders, quarantines, forfeitures, or destructions.
• Collect data for trace back to source or trace forward to recipient information for inspection activities.
• Maintain the canine's health and physical condition, including regular veterinary checkups.
• Conduct ongoing protocol and proficiency canine training and maintain training records.
• Participate in educational and outreach efforts of the program.
• Maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, parcel carriers, other agencies, and the public.
• Advise the public, community groups, government agencies, and private industry on agricultural laws, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare reports on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis for activities conducted.
• Keep the program vehicle clean and in good working order, conducting routine maintenance and safety checkups.

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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree