OPS PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 42903111

Requisition No: 884977 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 42903111

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42903111 

Salary:  $26.44 - $27.88 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***
 

CONTACT:

Michelle Smith, (850) 410-0933

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school degree or its equivalent and eight (8) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism; or

A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism; or

A master’s degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university in communications or English can substitute for one year of the required experience. 

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.

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.

JOB DUTIES:

Assists in the development and communication of division information and publications designed to keep internal and external stakeholders updated on animal disease or emergency response initiatives as well as the division's responsibilities, accomplishments and activities. This position will assist in the development of education and outreach strategies, in coordination with Department Communications.

Research, conceptualize, write, and edit information and materials (technical and creative documents, trainings, grants, web pages, press releases, social media posts, brochures, displays/exhibits, etc.) about division programs and initiatives for distribution to stakeholders including the public, elected officials, community organizations, the media, and the agriculture industry.

Prepares and disseminates animal disease information for multi-media programs, prepares and delivers informational speeches, presentations, and exhibits to increase awareness of animal disease issues and available division programs and policies. Coordinates with subject matter experts to ensure all information is relevant and accurate. Works closely with the division publication liaison on brochure and publication updates.

Participate in the production of videos produced within the division. Duties include scriptwriting and pre- and post-production planning. Coordinates with the Division of Marketing and Department Communications to publish any videos.

Coordinates outreach activities, including administrative duties, art projects, video production services and others as needed.

Serves as the point of contact for the division to proofread, check for grammar, spelling, and sentence dynamics on all outward facing materials to ensure technical information is easily understood by the general public.

Employee will serve in the division incident Management Team to assist or fill the role of the public information officer during an activation for an animal disease or natural disaster emergency response. Employee may be asked to perform special duties in relation to the Departments emergency response obligations. Serve as public information officer on emergency programs. This may require overnight travel and working in remote locations for extended periods.

Serves as the primary point of contact for the division for website updates. Will frequently review and offer suggestions for website updates. Will conduct the annual audit of the web pages. Drafts updates for review by the subject matter experts, and final approval for posting from the Director and/or Assistant Director. Will coordinate with Department Communications and WebServices for posting. Reviews post to ensure it is correct. Keeps the team updated on the progress. Maintains division SharePoint website.

Performs related work as required and assigned by supervisor.

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:

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.