CANINE HANDLER - 42003775

Requisition No: 871978 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CANINE HANDLER - 42003775

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42003775 

Salary:  $44,000.06 - $48,400.04 

Posting Closing Date: 03/19/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CANINE HANDLER

(CLASS TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Sherry Steele; Phone (305) 710-1116

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in professional canine handling, environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering; or

A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 

***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, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. 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:

Must attend a 10-week Basic Canine Handler Training, Cargo/Postal Program in Newnan, Georgia to receive certification of completion from the United States Department of Agriculture within twelve months of hire and maintain annual re-certification thereafter.

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 60L-36.003, Florida Career Service Rules and Regulations.

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

Rotating shifts within workweek may be required depending on the operational hours of regulated facilities.

NOTES:

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.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional regulatory position assigned to the Detector Dog Inspection Program.  This position provides inspection and regulatory oversight at secure mail and package sorting facilities, with a focus on packaged commodities that contain agricultural products regulated by the State.

Conducts parcel inspections and surveys as a team with assigned canine to detect parcels containing regulated plant products. Identifies and inspects marked and unmarked products detected by the canine for proper certification and/or plant pests. Collects samples and prepares and submits pest specimens and plant samples for laboratory identification. Determines appropriate certification for entry requirements of plant products. Verifies all required documents, stamps, or certificates accompanying parcels. Takes appropriate regulatory action and prepares appropriate documentation for rejections, hold orders and quarantines, forfeitures, or destructions. Collects data for trace back to source or trace forward to recipient information for inspection activities conducted.  Performs District Plant Specialist and Fruit Fly Detection Trapper duties, as work load permits.

Keeps the canine in good health and physical shape. Takes canine to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Conducts ongoing protocol and proficiency canine training. Maintains training records. Maintains an effective working relationship with the canine partner.

Participates, prepares, and presents educational and outreach efforts of the program. Maintains an effective working relationship with fellow employees, parcel carriers, other agencies and the general public. Advises the general public, community groups, government agencies and private industry on agricultural laws, rules and regulations.

Gathers and compiles information. Prepares reports on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis for activities conducted.

Keeps program vehicle clean and in good working order. Conducts routine vehicle maintenance and safety checkups. Maintains vehicle service records.

Performs other related work as directed by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to compile, organize, analyze data, and articulate recommendations to supervisor.
• Ability to handle and work with animals on a daily basis.
• Ability to travel as required for canine and inspector training and to conduct inspection activities.
• Ability to provide and present public outreach programs and presentations.
• Ability to research and evaluate work problems and recommend solutions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and enforce applicable federal and state laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of physical tasks such as standing for long periods of time; walking long distances; bending; and lifting items up to seventy-five (75) pounds.
  
  

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck.  The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• 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 (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.