OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42900425

Requisition No: 839633 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42900425

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42900425 

Salary:  $15.00 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/02/2025 

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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:
 

Matthew Smith, phone# (727) 241-6600
 

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 values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
 

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

NOTES:
 

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

JOB DUTIES:
 

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.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• 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, humid 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.
   

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida
 

Working for the State of Florida as an OPS employee is more than just a paycheck. 
 

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*);
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com;
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);
• Flexible Spending Accounts; For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
   

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per  week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
 

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.