OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42900387

Requisition No: 867109 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42900387

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42900387 

Salary:  $17.00 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/25/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

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:

Bradley Danner, (352) 395-4649

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

An associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university or

Six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering.

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) 

Possession of a valid Driver 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.
• Reponses 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.

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

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

JOB DUTIES: 

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for conducting a trapping initiative for continuous surveillance of moths that are pests of native and cultivated flora within the state of Florida.

Monitors and maintains insect traps.

Conducts pathway risk analysis for surveillance of exotic pests and diseases.

Conducts native plant and crop inspections and surveys.

Collects and field screens moth specimens.

Submits suspect moth specimens for laboratory identification.

Maintains records of specimen submittals, of other survey completion, and of survey activity data.

Assists other CAPS personnel with additional Farm Bill surveys for other exotic and invasive crop pests.

Assists with CAPS trapping and survey activities.

Assists with other survey programs within the division.

Assists with training new personnel as needed.

Performs related work as directed by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
• Ability to detect plant pests.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze data.
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs. and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to operate a computer to access and retrieve electronic information.
• Ability to understand and follow specific protocols.
  
  

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/myhealth/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.