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Requisition No: 879540 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42005990

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005990 

Salary:  $45,000.02 - $49,500.10 

Posting Closing Date: 08/24/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:            
  

Chantelle Viloria, Phone: (305) 619-3881

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering; or

A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or

A bachelor's degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university.

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) 

Requires possession of a valid Class E 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, 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:

Respirator Certification. 

Must obtain fruit fly certification within six months of appointment and maintain throughout employment in this position. 

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

Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator and/or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and must pass post-employment physical examinations to determine medical fitness for respirator and/or SCBA use.

Frequent travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required.

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.

Successful candidate must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for the protection of the health and value of agricultural resources and industries threatened by plant pests and disease within the state of Florida.  This position conducts independent site inspections for the purpose of detecting, delimiting, sampling and the treatment or mitigation of introductions of invasive and economically important pests. 

Surveys areas of high-risk for new infestations, identifies pathways and areas of high-risk and conducts appropriate regulatory, and control actions to eradicate new pests from the environment.  Conducts field diagnostic tasks using approved sampling methods and equipment to collect, prepare and submit insects, other arthropods, plants, and plant disease to the appropriate diagnostic laboratory for identification.  Surveys will be conducted in agricultural, marinas, ports (sea and air), and residential environs and businesses.  Inspects plant material (cut flowers, nursery stock), and other high-risk commodities (imported tile, containers or wooden pallets) from other states and foreign countries for the purpose of excluding plant pests at various points of entry throughout the state. Responsible for communicating program activities to the entities being surveyed.  Responsible for the calibration of equipment, mixing and application of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and other treatments as required per the labeling requirements. The operation of tractors, spray rigs, herbicide booms and other related machinery or equipment. Inspects vehicles and equipment on a weekly basis and reports any issues or deficiencies with the supervisor and to take corrective action in a timely manner. This includes competing and submitting their equipment and vehicle checklists in a timely manner.  Responsible for maintaining spray and treatment records at each site they are treating and would include observing treatments and any other activities that are being conducted by contractors working on behalf of the Department.  Reporting of accidental spills to supervision and ensures that cleanup is in accordance to the label along with the proper disposal of empty chemical containers.  All equipment will be cleaned after use, and all chemicals will be properly stored in a secure location.  Maintains proper records of all functions and submits timely and accurate reports of all work performed.

Assists and/or participates in the organization of special programs such as plant pest eradication projects, exotic pest surveys and protocols within the state, including implementing chemical and biological controls, surveys, and regulatory enforcement actions.  These activities may necessitate absences from assigned headquarters, unusual working hours, and may require serving as a trainer for employees hired for these special programs.

Educate the public about potential agricultural impacts and health issues associated with pests and elicit assistance in reporting pest presence.  Attends meetings and workshops to learn of emerging pests, surveying techniques, and control. 

Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environs, to include but not limited to McPhail and Jackson traps.  Places and services fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual.

Performs related work as directed by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
• Knowledge of the regulatory treatments of plants and pesticide labeling restrictions.
• Knowledge of maintaining and repair various spray equipment or tanks. 
• Skill in conflict resolution.
• Skill in computer basics including Microsoft Word, Excel, Esri/GIS products, and GPS devices.      
• Ability to recognize Giant African land snail and other snails or slugs of economic importance.
• Ability to detect plant pests.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze data and make recommendations.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work and follow up on completion of work
• Ability to interpret rules and regulations
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interact with other employees and the public in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, wet or humid environments.
• Ability to lift and transport 50 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground.
• Ability to tow and haul trailers and equipment safely down the road.
  

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck.  The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the "Total Compensation Estimator Tool" located above under the "Posting Closing Date."

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.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.