OPS Agricultural Technician II - 42900435

OPS Agricultural Technician II - 42900435

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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: Rosamaria Quiñones, Phone (786) 732-8924

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.

Additional Requirements:

Occasionally travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program.

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.

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

The work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Job Duties:

General Statement: This is a professional position responsible for the protection, and regulation of native and cultivated flora within the state of Florida.

Exotic Fruit Fly Detection: The incumbent is responsible for:

• Places and services fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual. Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environments.
• Performing all activities associated with fruit fly detection program and perform these activities properly, timely and in a responsible manner. Maintain a passing grade on all fruit fly related training material.
• Submitting timely and accurate reports of all work performed: including inputting daily trapping records into e-Trap and maintain all Fruit Fly Detection records as required by program standards, and all other reports as necessary including but not limited to vehicle reports.
• Following all established safety guidelines and any additional precautions and practices set forth by management.

Public Relations:

• Maintaining a professional demeanor and presenting a neat, professional appearance to the public.
• Responding to consumer complaints, or when necessary, refers them to the proper agency.
• Attending meetings and workshops to keep current on Department activities.

Field Diagnostic and Sampling:

• Conducting field diagnostic tasks, using approved sampling methods and equipment to collect laboratory samples.
• Detecting, examining, collecting, preparing, and submitting insects and other arthropods, diseases and soil samples indexed to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation.
• Obtaining additional information using of various investigative techniques, including reference materials, source information, and interviews with authoritative sources to assist in proper diagnosis.

Regulatory Activities: The incumbent is responsible for:

• Assisting with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities for the purpose of excluding plant pests.

Emergency Programs:

• Assisting in exotic pest surveys and protocols within the state.
• Responding to emergency programs which necessitate prolonged absences from assigned headquarters and unusual working hours.

Related work: The incumbent is responsible for performing related work as directed by management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to recognize citrus varieties and other known hosts of exotic fruit flies.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to read and draw basic maps, and to locate properties using street and geographic maps.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

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.