AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER PROTECT SPEC-SES - 42004034

Requisition No: 856636 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER PROTECT SPEC-SES - 42004034

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42004034 

Salary:  $39,780.00 - $43,758.00 

Posting Closing Date: 07/21/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SPECIALIST-SES

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:      
        

Rusty Noah, phone# (239) 707-1989

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent.

Requires possession of a valid Class E 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, 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:

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s. 112.313, Florida Statutes, and Section 60L-36.003, Florida Administrative Code. 

Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and must pass post-employment physical examinations to determine medical fitness for respirator and/or SCBA use. 

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

The incumbent for this position will be working Monday through Friday.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

JOB DUTIES:

General Statement: This is a professional position responsible for the daily supervision of a regulatory and/or survey crew in an emergency program and in the Agricultural Snail and Slug Inspection and Survey Team (ASSIST) and Giant African Land Snail program (GALS).  It requires knowledge of plant pests, pest related survey, eradication, and the regulatory policies and procedures as required by the Division and the Department. This position is a combination of field work and team management requiring both technical knowledge to ensure efficient operations.  Strong communication skills for working with stakeholders, the community, law enforcement personnel and state employees along with an attention to detail for accurate application of materials, recording keeping and reporting.   

Oversees and guides assigned GALS and ASSIST inspectors to ensure tasks are completed effectively and efficiently. Spends majority of time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates. Completes timely performance appraisals, develops work plans, and timely approves attendance and leave requests for each subordinate. Makes recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate.

This position is responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures. Conduct training to staff in a classroom or field setting.  Attend and participate in meetings. 

Conduct surveys in residential, commercial, natural, and agricultural areas to detect the presence of GALS and other pest-related issues. Apply treatments for the eradication of pests as required and perform additional duties such as debris removal, and inspection of regulated entities (e.g., farms, nurseries, or applicable businesses). Communicate and coordinate with Agricultural Law Enforcement in the execution of agricultural warrants and their service.  Acts as a safety officer for the crews. 

Complete and maintain comprehensive records including time and attendance logs, monthly mileage logs, inspection reports for vehicles and equipment, residential/commercial property inspection/survey and control records, and specimen submission forms.  Review data submitted by GALS/ASSIST inspectors for completeness and accuracy.
 

Perform fruit fly trapping on both McPhail and Jackson traps as needed.  Maintain and prepare insect traps as needed. 

Perform preventive maintenance, calibration and testing of equipment. Assist in the maintenance of the Cowperthwaite Complex and Dundee facility as required which can include but not limited to mowing, weed eating, trimming, and edging.  Maintain and repair suction traps at their designated locations throughout the state. 

Carry out other duties as directed by the supervisor, Bureau Chief, or Assistant Bureau Chief. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of field survey, control, and sampling procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
• Knowledge of regulatory treatment of plants and pesticides labeling restrictions.
• Knowledge of emergency program goals, strategies, policies, and procedures of the Department.
• Knowledge of the utilization, maintenance, and minor repair of equipment such as sprayers, various pumps, mowers, and tractors.
• Knowledge of storing and organizing various chemicals, handling spills, and proper disposal of chemicals.
• Skill in mixing various chemicals needed for control and using proper safety equipment including a respirator.
• Skill in forklift operation and use.
• Ability to distinguish Giant African Land Snail or other invasive snails from established/native snails.
• Ability to operate vehicles and haul specialized equipment. 
• Ability to lift and transport 50 lbs.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and wet environments on uneven ground.
• Ability to use computers, Microsoft Office Suite, and GIS applications such as Esri.
• Ability to motivate, train and supervise employees.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and follow up on completion of work.
• Ability to multitask various duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees and the pubic, both verbally and in writing.
  
  

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:

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.