Equine Jobs in Dothan, AL (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879647 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROT SPEC - OPS - 42903086

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42903086 

Salary:  $23.09 - $26.44 

Posting Closing Date: 08/06/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SPECIALIST - OPS
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY
***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY -
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***

The headquarters for this position is negotiable within Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton and Washington Counties.

CONTACT:
Michelle Smith
850.410.0933
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma or its equivalent.
Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
Preference will be given to those with experience in the care, management and husbandry of livestock including equine or poultry.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at "Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education." Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 

***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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Section 60L-36.003, Florida Administrative Code, and Chapter 112.313, Florida Statutes.

Willingness to respond to emergency duty, whether called day or night.  This emergency duty may include natural disasters or animal disease outbreaks. Willingness to be deployed from your assigned headquarters for extended periods of time (up to 30 days).

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.  Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

Incumbent must wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) when required.

Incumbent must be willing to work during the weekend and holidays as required.

Occasional travel required.

Must reside in required county(ies) throughout employment in this position.

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

NOTES:
To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.
JOB DUTIES:
The primary duties and responsibilities of an Agriculture and Consumer Protection (ACP) Specialist are to enforce the provisions of state and federal law regarding animal disease control for the protection of Florida's agricultural industry and public safety.  Additional duties include emergency preparedness [Emergency Support Function (ESF)-17] and assuring the quality of agricultural products prior to their entrance into the marketing channels.
In accomplishing these duties, the employee must cooperate fully with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel and others engaged in related activities.  The incumbent is expected to demonstrate, model and reinforce the department's fundamental values of professionalism, commitment, integrity, innovation and excellence in all interactions with coworkers and the public. The duties of the ACP Specialist include the same duties as that of the ACP Inspector with additional responsibilities as an emergency support technician. The following duties and responsibilities are assigned to this position.
Serves as a dedicated member of the Division's emergency response team to conduct animal and agricultural emergency response initiatives. Responds to an emergency mobilization within 12 hours for deployment to staff the division's incident management team. Conducts program activities related to emergency preparedness, response and recovery which may include, coordinated activities with ESF-17 officials through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Completes Incident Command System (ICS) training to prescribed levels (at a minimum ICS100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800). Attends and participates in division emergency exercises or training events. Will take an active position within the incident management team. Provides presentations for the local meetings, fairs, or other local venues as requested. Maintains a working knowledge of all division-related emergency plans. Maintains all assigned inventory and emergency equipment records. Assists district ESF-17 Specialists to ensures foreign animal disease response supplies are stocked at adequate levels. Responsible for conducting extensive outreach and education to producers within assigned district. Responsible for inspection of animals on high risk premises and establishing quarantines of affected animal disease premises. Establishes and maintains proper biosecurity protocols during the animal disease response. Utilizes superior communication skills to keep all in the supervisory chain of command informed of the progression of assigned activities. Maintains working knowledge of Florida's reportable animal diseases, policies and procedures, division's administrative rules and designated Florida statutes.
Works in coordination with bureau personnel to conduct animal disease program activities related to the inspection, control and testing of livestock, poultry and other animals to detect animal diseases and ectoparasites that may pose a threat to the state agricultural economy or impact public health. Duties include: general animal health inspections, premises inspections, investigating complaints related to animal disease in livestock and poultry, documenting findings and actions taken on appropriate forms, collecting samples, promoting animal official identification, issuing and releasing quarantines, educating animal owners about biosecurity, assisting veterinary medical officers (VMO) with inspections and testing, collecting and packaging samples, formulation of test charts, and sample submission to an approved laboratory. The incumbent ensures quality and marketability of Florida's livestock, inspects herd health plans and investigates animal disease complaints. The incumbent works independently and proceeds on own initiative and judgement within guidelines established by the supervisor. Properly uses livestock equipment and performs routine maintenance. Performs all duties associated with inspection of livestock for sale at livestock markets including inspection of permits, Official Certificate of Veterinarian Inspections, other movement documents and verifies animal identification device. Enforces department's rules and regulations regarding animal disease and animal movement. Ensures compliance with department's rules and regulations
Prepares and submits required forms in written electronic format for daily activity.  Maintains proper care of department's vehicle and personally assigned equipment.
Provides on-the-job training for new personnel. Serves as back-up for the district's ESF-17 and animal disease ACP Specialists.
Participates in workshops and training to learn livestock and poultry disease eradication programs.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Computer skills
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions; ability to frequently bend, kneel, climb, stand and walk several hours each day
• Ability to work on uneven terrain
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

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:

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.