APIARY INSPECTOR - 42001266

Requisition No: 874575 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: APIARY INSPECTOR - 42001266

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001266 

Salary:  $40,000.22 - $44,000.32 

Posting Closing Date: 05/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

APIARY INSPECTOR

(CLASS TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:            

Ashley Pickett, Phone (772) 359-3744

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience in apiculture, environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering; or

An associate degree (2 years) from an accredited college or university.

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) 

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.

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

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 professional position is responsible for the protection, certification, and regulation of the apiary industry within the state of Florida through inspections for destructive and regulated honeybee pests and diseases.

Schedule necessary appointments with beekeepers and perform inspections of honeybee colonies for destructive and regulated pests and diseases. Conduct field diagnostic tests on bee hives and use approved sampling methods and equipment to collect samples for submission to the appropriate technical bureau for laboratory diagnostics. Initiate and implement appropriate regulatory action upon diagnosis, including quarantine and supervising the destruction or approved treatment of infected honeybee colonies to curtail the spread of injurious honey bee pests and diseases. Calculate, collect and remit registration fees. Ensure that all beekeepers in assigned district are registered with the Department, inspected, and in compliance with Chapter 586, Florida Statutes, and appropriate rules.

Maintain accurate records in appropriate database for assigned beekeepers. Perform special inspections upon request. Collect samples for certification purposes and issue certifications and permits, when appropriate. Collect or invoice special inspection fees.

Respond to a resolve consumer complaints regarding honeybees or refer them to the proper agency. Coordinate and investigate bee kill complaints. Assist other divisions with honeybee-related issues, when necessary.

Place, monitor, and maintain bait hives at high-risk locations around Florida for the early detection of injurious honeybee pests or diseases. Cooperate and collaborate with federal, state, academic and industry partners in the detection of feral or introduced honeybees, pests, diseases, as well as research projects to benefit the industry.

Timely and accurate submission of reports, including inspection reports, time sheets, vehicle logs, and travel vouchers. Maintain all state equipment, including state vehicles, in safe operating condition and according to established guidelines.

Stay informed of all beekeeping matters, including changes in state and federal laws. Be an ambassador for the state of Florida through public outreach about honeybees. Attendance and presentations may be required at meetings or workshops of the apiary industry, bureau, or other governmental training sessions.

Assist on special programs, including but not limited to Fruit Fly Detection, Yellow Legged Hornet Detection and other plant pest eradication projects. These activities may include placing and servicing fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual, and placing and servicing Yellow Legged Hornet Traps.

These activities may necessitate absences from assigned headquarter or unusual working hours.

Performs related work as directed by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of techniques used in the inspecting and management of honeybee colonies.
• Knowledge of the regulatory treatment of honeybee colonies.
• Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
• Knowledge of pesticide labeling restrictions.
• Ability to work in close proximity to stinging insects and follow procedures to prevent being stung, such as wearing protective equipment.
• Ability to detect honeybee diseases and pests and to take appropriate regulatory action.
• Ability to lift and transport 70-pound objects and to work in extreme hot, cold, and humid temperature environments.
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground.
• Ability to operate computers and mobile devices and be proficient with email, spreadsheets, word processing software, and data entry.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision for prolonged periods.
• Ability to adapt to changes and remain calm under stressful situations.
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Ability to drive frequently and for long distances to reach inspections.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
  
  

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.