OPS EARLY DETECTION FIELD TECHNICIAN - 42915076

State of Florida • CORAL GABLES, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. The role involves conducting plant pest detection surveys, performing activities related to the Giant African Land Snail (GALS) eradication program, and submitting timely and accurate reports. The position requires extensive travel, including overnight stays and up to two weeks at a time, and may involve responding to emergency programs that necessitate prolonged absences and unusual working hours. The successful candidate must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of a valid 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, 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.
• Honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process.
• 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 communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• 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 left and transport up to 25 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to apply required treatments for eradication of invasive plant pests.

Nice To Haves

• Skilled at working with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Skilled in completing and maintaining accurate records.

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.
• Maintains 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 public in a courteous and respectful manner always.
• 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

• Optional insurance coverage
• LinkedIn Learning training account
• State group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• 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