Requisition No:285501

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42900435

Position Number:42900435

Salary: $11.13 Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 01/19/2021

OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A TEMPORARY FULL-TIME POSITION***
 

CONTACT:

Rosamaria Quinones, (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.
• 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.

NOTES:

The work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 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. This position conducts independent plant detection surveys in agricultural and residential environs for minimizing or eliminating environmental and agricultural harm associated with the introduction of Exotic Fruit Flies.

Exotic Fruit Fly Detection:  The incumbent is responsible for:

• Build fruit fly detection devices, insert and replace baits on the established 2 or 3  weeks cycle.
• 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 environs. 
• Responsible for 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 eTrap 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.
• Follow all established safety guidelines and any additional precautions and practices set forth by management.

 Public Relations:  The incumbent is responsible for:

• Be courteous at all times.
• 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:  The incumbent is responsible for:

• 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 through the use 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:  The incumbent is responsible for:

• 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 his/her supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to recognize citrus varieties and other known host Exotic Fruit Flies.
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold wet environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to deal 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 operate a computer to access and retrieve electronic information.
• Skilled in completing and maintaining accurate records.

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.