OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42902598

Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State health insurance

457b Deferred Compensation Plan

401(a) Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, seeks an OPS Agricultural Technician II in Gainesville, FL to manage invasive exotic plants in forest centers. Fieldwork includes locating, treating, and mapping with ArcGIS; data entry and equipment upkeep are involved.

Occasional travel and emergency response duties may apply. Qualifications include a high school diploma and a valid Class E driver license.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Ability to learn and differentiate plant species.
• Occasional to moderate travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Chemically treat invasive plants using hand sprayers, backpack sprayers, ATV tanks, or truck tanks.
• Log GPS locations and map areas in ArcGIS; perform data entry and equipment maintenance.
• Support state forest projects including data collection for threatened/endangered species, restoration, and prescribed burning.

Skills

Fieldwork

GPS mapping

Plant identification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS devices

Job description

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OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42902598

Date: Oct 19, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:885553

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN II - 42902598

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

CONTACT:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent.

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:

Occasional to moderate travel required.

Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.

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:

This is a full-time position at the Waccasassa Forestry Center in Gainesville, FL, managing invasive exotic plants that alter plant communities by displacing native species. The majority of the time will be spent in the field searching for invasive plants, logging areas on a GPS, treating, and maintaining these areas. This work includes mapping locations on the computer in ArcGis (ArcMap), other data entry, and equipment maintenance. Also, employee provides assistance with state forest projects such as collecting data for threatened and endangered plant and animal species, restoration projects, and the prescribed burning program.

Job Description:

Primarily the chemical treatment of a suite of invasive plants that inhibit forest management and contribute to decreased biodiversity.

• Mixing and applying chemical herbicides using hand sprayers, backpack sprayers, ATV tanks, or Truck tanks.
• Routine maintenance and repair of vehicles and spray equipment.
• Able and willing to work and navigate in occasionally extreme conditions of hard to access, hot and humid forests.
• Ability to learn and differentiate plant species.

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)

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:

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.

Location:

GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32601 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32607 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32609 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32611 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32641 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32608 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32605 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32653 GAINESVILLE, FL, US, 32606

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.