OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42913099

State of Florida • South Highpoint, FL

37d • $19

About The Position

OPS AGRICULTURAL
TECHNICIAN II
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION
CONTACT:
Grayson Grume, Phone [phone]
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma or its equivalent.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
ATTENTION CANDIDATES
To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

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, hours worked, and formal education fields must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services valuesand supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualifiedindividuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program.

NOTES:

Benefits include a LinkedIn Learning training account and optional insurance coverage.

The work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position. 

Successful candidate must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Skilled in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to recognize citrus varieties and other known hosts of Exotic Fruit Flies.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, or humid temperature environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to deal with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to read and draw basic maps, and to locate properties using street and geographic maps.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

Responsibilities

• Exotic Fruit Fly Detection: The incumbent is responsible for: Places and services fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual. Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environments.
• Performing all activities associated with fruit fly detection program and perform these activities properly, timely and in a responsible manner. Maintain a passing grade on all fruit fly related training material.
• Submitting timely and accurate reports of all work performed: including inputting daily trapping records into e-Trap and maintain all Fruit Fly Detection records as required by program standards, and all other reports as necessary including but not limited to vehicle reports.
• Following all established safety guidelines and any additional precautions and practices set forth by management.
• Public Relations: The incumbent is responsible for: Conducting themselves in a professional manner and presenting a neat, professional appearance to the public.
• Responding to consumer complaints, or when necessary, refers them to the proper agency.
• Attending meetings and workshops to keep current on Department activities.
• Field Diagnostic and Sampling: The incumbent is responsible for: Conducting field diagnostic tasks, using approved sampling methods and equipment to collect laboratory samples.
• Detecting, examining, collecting, preparing, and submitting insects and other arthropods, diseases and soil samples indexed to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation.
• Obtaining additional information using of various investigative techniques, including reference materials, source information, and interviews with authoritative sources to assist in proper diagnosis.
• Regulatory Activities: The incumbent is responsible for: Assisting with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities for the purpose of excluding plant pests.
• Emergency Programs: The incumbent is responsible for: Assisting in exotic pest surveys and protocols within the state.
• Responding to emergency programs which necessitate prolonged absences from assigned headquarters and unusual working hours.
• Related Work: The incumbent is responsible for performing related work as directed by management.

Benefits

• Benefits include a LinkedIn Learning training account and 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