OPS INFORMATION SPECIALIST III - 42901134

Requisition No: 824561 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS INFORMATION SPECIALIST III - 42901134

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42901134 

Salary:  $17.25 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 07/15/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS INFORMATION SPECIALIST III
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY –

THIS IS A FULL-TIME TEMPORARY POSITION***
 

CONTACT:
 

Christina Chitty, (352) 395-4779
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, agricultural education, agricultural communications, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism.
 

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in communications, agricultural communications, agricultural education, or English can substitute for one year of the required experience.
 

Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
 

Possession of a valid Driver’s 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.
 

NOTES:
 

Preference will be given to applicants that are fluent in both English and Spanish written and verbal communication.
 

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

JOB DUTIES:
 

General Statement: This position serves as a regional public information officer for the division.
 

Publication Development:
 

• Research, conceptualize, write, and edit information and materials (technical, scientific and creative documents, displays, fact sheets, press releases, presentations, brochures, displays/exhibits, etc.) about division programs and initiatives for distribution to stakeholders including the general public, elected officials, community organizations, the media, and the agriculture industry.
• Assist with design and style of division publications.
• Liaise with field staff to access need for public outreach items.
   

Public Outreach & Stakeholder Communications
 

• Lead public information and community outreach projects attending special community events (science fairs, tradeshows, school activities, etc.), and providing information to the public on division programs.

• Support division by serving as a conduit with the public to help resolve disputes which may hinder program success.
• Serve as Public Information Officer or Liaison on emergency programs.
• Pursue and maintain relationships with other agricultural related entities (UF/IFAS, USDA, grower groups, conservation groups, etc.) to leverage outreach opportunities and share resources.
• Assists the Public Information Director with special projects, community forums, media inquiries and speaking events.
• Serve as division Spanish translator in Central Florida.
   

Multimedia Support:
 

• Support the divisions outreach and social media campaigns by developing written content, recording audio and video content, contributing to the blog and taking photos.
• Serve as backup for the Social Media manager with blogs, podcast and other informational outreach online.
• Assists the helpline with the resolution of inquiries including researching issues and writing correspondence.
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of public information and mass communication.
• Skill to be able to use standard DSLR camera equipment and setup.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to estabilish and maintain effective working relationships with others within the Divison and department as well as outside, especially the media and industry representatives.
• Ability to use computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to use design software including Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop).
• Ability to use audio and video editing software including Adobe Premier Pro and Audition.
• Ability to read and write in Spanish.
• Ability to translate from Spanish to English.
• Ability to translate to Spanish from English.
   

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/health/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.