Aquatic Applicator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $19.15 Hourly
Location : Citrus County, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-02533
Department: Public Works
Division: Aquatic Services
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/25/2026 4:30 PM Eastern
General Description
The Aquatic Plant Technician maintains navigation within the accessible-by-public waterways within Citrus County. The schedule for this full-time position is Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 AM.
Detailed information regarding the County's benefits package and retirement offerings may be found here:
To learn more about Citrus County: Citrus County Government and Official Guide to Crystal River and Citrus County, Florida
Essential Functions

• Drives and/or operates a county vehicle or equipment and must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.
• Sprays or mechanically removes aquatic vegetation in navigation channels and lakes, removes log jams, tussocks, windfalls, and related debris.
• Trims, removes, and disposes of trees, land-based vegetation, debris, and other obstructions as needed. Provides care for land or water-based barriers, anchors, and buoys.
• Safely operates airboats, trucks, spray pumps and other related equipment.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on equipment used.
• Checks out chemicals for use. Cleans equipment, fuel, and greases all assigned equipment.
• Assists in loading and unloading of herbicides, chemicals, and equipment, prepares check-in and checkout sheets, computes appropriate rates and amounts for use and handling of chemicals.
• Prepares forms and reports as required by supervisor.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements
Education, Training, and Experience REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience safely operating watercraft, automotive and spray equipment.
• Experience performing routine maintenance and repairs on boat and spray equipment.
• Six (6) months experience in the aquatic plant management field, preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Dependability to work in remote and unsupervised situations.
• Ability to safely operate vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Ability to perform physical labor outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and complete basic records.
• Requires ability to maintain courteous and effective relations with County staff, elected officials, community interest groups and the public.
• Must have strong working knowledge of computers and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite of Products (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).

Licenses, Certificates, and Other Requirements

• Valid Florida Driver License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida.
• Successful completion of Respiratory Fit for Duty Test.
• Must have or be able to obtain within six (6) months of employment, the Florida Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Applicator License with Aquatic endorsement.
• Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days certification in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
  • IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS); and
  • IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Requires sitting most of the time.
• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, balancing, and twisting and on occasion squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, jumping, throwing, and reaching above shoulders.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involves simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, operating foot controls/levers, and driving automotive equipment, and occasional working in darkness and operating a manual transmission.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking.
• The job may risk exposure to adverse weather, moving machinery, fumes and gases, electrical hazards, unprotected heights, extreme noise.
• The job requires a respiratory fit for duty test.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

• All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Emergency response duties may also include driving and/or operating a county vehicle or equipment and employees must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.

Supplemental Information
PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED. Applications will be carefully reviewed to assess qualifications. Selected applicants will be interviewed to determine who will be hired for the job. The kind and length of related work experience, training and education shown on the application/resume will be an important consideration in the screening process. Relevant experience that is not gained through work experience should be explained in the additional information section of the application.
Must successfully pass a criminal background check, pre-employment physical examination, and drug screen. Drug screens will be in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act and/or the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
Citrus County, 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.
Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected trait.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.
Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or the "Public Records Law," applications, resumes and personnel records are subject to public inspections. Details regarding the "Public Records Law"/ "The Sunshine Law" / Florida Statutes and the statutory exemptions are available on websites such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Senate and Florida Legislature. Additionally, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners Public Information section is located on our website.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners provides a comprehensive benefits package.
Medical Insurance - (Carrier: Florida Blue): Employee Premium is $50.00 monthly. Dependent coverage is available with bi-weekly premiums (please review detailed premiums using the link below).
**Wellness Incentive: New Hires will have the option of submitting to a nicotine test during the pre-employment physical. Those that are nicotine free will receive a $50 wellness incentive monthly applied towards their health premium costs. New hires that are not nicotine free are eligible to receive the wellness incentive once a tobacco cessation course has been completed and the Employee Health & Wellness Center is provided with a copy of their completion certificate.
Employee Health & Wellness Center: Employee Premium is $0.00 when covered under Medical Insurance. Dependent coverage is $0.00 when covered under Medical Insurance.
Dental Insurance: Employee Premium is $0.00. Dependent coverage is available with bi-weekly premiums (please review detailed premiums using the link below).
Vision Insurance: Employee and Dependent coverage is available with low monthly premiums.
Florida Retirement System: Employee contributes 3% of gross salary per pay-period. Option to choose from Pension Plan or Investment Plan. Detailed employer contributions can be found in the link below. Visit for more details.
Other Benefits:

• Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance $20,000
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Assistance Program
• ComPsych Programs
• Voluntary AFLAC Supplemental Insurance
• Deferred Compensation
• Paid Holidays - no waiting period
• Vacation Leave - accrues each pay period
• Sick Leave - accrues each pay period

Please note that the benefits may not apply to all constitutional offices; please refer to policies for specific information. The County's Personnel Policies, applicable Union Contracts and/or Certificate of Coverage provides detailed descriptions of all available employee benefit programs and stipulations.
For a more detailed overview of our benefit package,
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Minimum requirements for this position are: 1. Experience safely operating watercraft, automotive and spray equipment. 2. Experience performing routine maintenance and repairs on boat and spray equipment. It is important to include how you meet each minimum requirement in the work history and/or additional information sections of this application.

• I understand and have provided this information in my application.
• I do not meet these minimum requirements.

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PLEASE REVIEW THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND COMMUNICATE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR APPLICATION/RESUME. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BE CONSIDERED.Please check EACH of the 4 BOXES BELOW to confirm YOUR APPLICATION is ACCURATE AND COMPLETE. Please note: Applications with incomplete Education and/or Work History sections will not be considered. Submitting a resume without completing these sections on the application form will result in disqualification.

• Education Section
• Work History Section
• 3 Professional References
• Skills, Certifications, Additional Information Sections (Optional - but highly recommend completing)

Required Question