OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42901134

State of Florida • Winter Haven, FL

24d • $15 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. The role primarily involves conducting plant pest detection surveys across various environments, including agricultural, public, and residential areas. A key responsibility is performing all activities related to the Giant African Land Snail (GALS) eradication program. The technician is expected to submit timely and accurate reports, including using Mobile Inspection apps, and maintain program records. The position requires adherence to safety guidelines and responsiveness to new and existing pest detections, which may involve extensive travel, including overnight stays and trips lasting up to two weeks for emergency programs. Field detection tasks include examining, collecting, preparing, and submitting samples of insects, arthropods, diseases, and soil for technical confirmation. The role also entails completing routine high-risk inspections, analyzing establishment risk levels, assisting with exotic pest surveys, and responding to emergency situations that may require prolonged absences and unusual working hours. Interaction with coworkers, management, and the public in a courteous manner is essential, as is responding to consumer complaints or referring them to the appropriate agency. The technician will attend meetings, workshops, and public outreach events, and assist with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities to prevent plant pests, including annual fruit fly identification training. Successful candidates must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of a valid Driver License.
• Extensive travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program.
• Skilled at working with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Skilled in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to recognize Giant African land snail and other snails or slugs of economic importance.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas on uneven ground and inclement weather.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to travel to other areas of the state for up to two weeks at a time and commit to unusual work hours.
• Ability to read and draw basic maps and to locate properties using street and geographic maps.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to apply required treatments for eradication of invasive plant pests.
• Successful candidates must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural, public, and residential environs.
• Performs all activities associated with the Giant African Land Snail (GALS) eradication program properly, timely, and in a responsible manner.
• Submits timely and accurate reports of all work performed, including inputting records into Mobile Inspection apps.
• Maintain records as required by program standards and all other reports as necessary including but not limited to vehicle reports, time sheets, and requests for leave.
• Follows all established safety guidelines and additional practices set forth by management.
• Responds to new and existing detections within the state which may require extensive travel working two weeks or more away from headquarters.
• Conducts field detection tasks, examining, collecting, preparing, and submitting insects and other arthropods, diseases and soil samples using approved methods and sending samples to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation.
• Completes routine high-risk inspections as scheduled which may include extensive travel and require working two weeks or more away from headquarters.
• Analyzes assigned establishments for risk level and discussing changes with management.
• Assists in exotic pest surveys and protocols within the state.
• Responds to emergency programs which necessitate prolonged absences from assigned headquarters and unusual working hours.
• Interacts with coworkers, management, and the general public in a courteous and respectful manner at all times.
• Responds to consumer complaints, or when necessary, refers them to the proper agency.
• Attends meetings and workshops to keep current on Department activities.
• Attends public outreach events.
• Assists with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities for the purpose of excluding plant pests, including but not limited to fruit fly detection and import inspections.
• Passes fruit fly identification training annually.
• Performs other work as directed by management.

Benefits

• LinkedIn Learning training account
• Optional insurance coverage
• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED