OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42900419

State of Florida; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State group insurance

Deferred compensation 457b

401(a) retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Drug-free workplace

Job summary

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking an OPS Fruit Fly Trapper for the Division of Plant Industry. The role involves placing fruit fly detection devices, conducting pest surveys, and maintaining records in compliance with the Fruit Fly Detection Manual.

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver license, and the ability to travel occasionally; work hours are 7:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 6 months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health.
• Possession of a valid Driver License.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Knowledge of citrus varieties and pests.

Responsibilities

• Place and service fruit fly detection devices following the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual.
• Submit timely and accurate reports and input trapping data into required systems.
• Interact professionally with the public and respond to inquiries.
• Conduct field diagnostic tasks and collect laboratory samples.
• Assist with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities.
• Support emergency programs with travel and occasional extended hours.

Skills

Environmental protection

Plant pest detection

Record keeping

Public interaction

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree

Job description

Requisition No: 883129

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42900419

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42900419

Salary: $19.00 Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 09/24/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER

(CLASS TITLE: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

• OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY -- THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***

Contact

Renan Espino Martinez, Phone [phone]

Minimum Requirements

A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering; or an associate’s degree (2 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)

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 (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• 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.

Additional Requirements

• Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program.
• Must obtain fruit fly certification within six months of appointment and maintain throughout employment in this position.

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 applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
• Benefits include optional insurance coverage.
• The work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Job Duties

Exotic Fruit Fly Detection

• 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 environments.
• Performs all activities associated with fruit fly detection programs and perform these activities properly, timely and in a responsible manner. Maintains 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 e-Trap 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.
• Following all established safety guidelines and any additional precautions and practices set forth by management.

Public Relations

• Maintaining a professional demeanor and presenting a neat, professional appearance to the public.
• 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

• 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 using of various investigative techniques, including reference materials, source information, and interviews with authoritative sources to assist in proper diagnosis.

Regulatory Activities

• Assisting with inspections of plant material and other high-risk commodities for the purpose of excluding plant pests.

Emergency Programs

• 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

Performing related work as directed by management.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to recognize citrus varieties and other known hosts of exotic fruit flies.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to interact 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 lift 25 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

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.