OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42901205

Requisition No: 854265 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42901205

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42901205 

Salary:  $15.00 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 06/10/2025 

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OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II

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:

Gary Bear II, Phone: (863) 632-6160

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

A high school diploma or its equivalent.

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.
• 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.

ADDTITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Extensive travel required, to include overnight and up to two weeks at a time.

NOTES:

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

JOB DUTIES:

General Statement: This is a technical position responsible for inspecting and detecting diseased citrus trees and performing exotic pest surveys and appropriate protocols within the state.

Surveying commercial citrus properties for expressed symptoms of citrus diseases. This includes traveling to remote surveys areas, walking or riding all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) throughout survey areas looking for host plants, and identifying diseased plants. Collecting and summitting samples according to the program sample collecting procedures. Recording and reporting survey data using established protocols.

Cooperating as a team player in the daily functions of their assigned crew and field station. This includes submitting timely and accurate reports of all work performed, including inputting records into Mobile Inspection apps. Maintain records as required by program standards and all other reports as necessary including but not limited to vehicle reports, timesheets, and requests for leave. Daily cleaning of the vehicle and ATV.

Performs all activities associated with the Giant African Land Snail (GALS) eradication program properly, timely, and in a responsible manner. Conducts field detection tasks, examining, collecting, preparing, and submitting insects and other arthropods, diseases, and soil samples using approved methods and sending samples to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation.

Responds to new and existing detections within the state and routine high-risk detections as scheduled which may require extensive travel working two weeks or more away from headquarters. Responds to emergency programs which necessitate prolonged absences form assigned headquarters and unusual working hours.

Interacts with coworkers, management, and the general public in a courteous and respectful manner at all times. Responds to consumer complaints, or when necessary, refers them to the proper agency.

Attends meetings and workshops to keep current on Department activities. Attends public outreach events.

Assists with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities for the purpose of excluding plant pests, including but not limited to fruit fly detection and import inspections.

Passes fruit fly identification training as required.

Other related duties as directed by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of plant cultivation.
• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to recognize citrus varieties and other known host of citrus diseases.
• Ability to recognize Giant African Land Snail and other snails or slugs of economic importance.
• Ability to travel to other areas of the state for up to two weeks at a time and commit to unusual work hours.
• Ability to apply required treatments for eradication of invasive plant pests.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk and conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas on uneven ground and in inclement weather.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to prioritize assignments and work independently.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to read and draw basic maps, determine location, and locate properties using street and geographic maps.
• Ability to operate a computer to access, retrieve, and update electronic records.
  
  

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.