ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42001132

Requisition No: 859774 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I - 42001132

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001132 

Salary:  $39,000.00 - $42,900.00 

Posting Closing Date: 09/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:              

Elizabeth Johnson, Phone # 863-289-8504

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

An associate degree from an accredited college or university; or

Six (6) months of experience in apiculture, 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) 

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:

Must obtain fruit fly certification within six months of appointment and maintain throughout employment in this position.

Respirator Certification.

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.

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.

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

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT:  This is a technical position assigned to provide survey, logistical, treatment and safety activities for the Bureau of Pest Eradication and Control.

Responsible for assisting in all phases of an emergency or special program which includes but is not limited to the survey, sampling and delimiting of areas where programs are being implemented by the Department for plant pests and diseases.  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. 

Responsible for the calibration of equipment, mixing and application of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and other treatments as required per the labeling requirements. The operation of tractors, spray rigs, herbicide booms and other related machinery or equipment. Inspects vehicles and equipment on a weekly basis and reports any issues or deficiencies with the supervisor and to take corrective action in a timely manner. This includes competing and submitting their equipment and vehicle checklists in a timely manner.  Responsible for maintaining spray and treatment records at each site they are treating and would include observing treatments and any other activities that are being conducted by contractors working on behalf of the Department.  Reporting of accidental spills to supervision and ensures that cleanup is in accordance to the label along with the proper disposal of empty chemical containers.  All equipment will be cleaned after use and all chemicals will be properly stored in a secure location.  
    

Communicating the status of treatments and any issues arising during treatment to supervision and offering recommendations as needed for the resolution or prevention of issues and the completion of work in a timely manner. 

Performs fruit fly trapping on both McPhail and Jackson traps as needed. Maintain and prepare insect traps as needed. Maintain and repair suction traps at their designated locations throughout the state.

Responsible for prepping job sites for treatment activities which would include but not be limited to mowing and the delivering of equipment, supplies and material. 

Performs other related work as directed by the supervisor(s) or the Bureau Chief.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
• Knowledge of the regulatory treatment of plants and pesticide labeling restrictions.
• Knowledge of maintaining and repair various spray equipment or tanks.
• Skill in computer basics to include Microsoft Word, Excel, ESRI database entry.
• Skill in conflict resolution.
• Ability to interact with other employees and the public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to organize many tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work and follow up on completion of work.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
• Ability to lift and transport 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, and/or humid weather.
  
  

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.

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.