OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42900435

State-of-Florida; Coral Gables (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State group insurance

Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (T-

401(a) FICA Alternative Plan

Job summary

The State of Florida's Agriculture and Consumer Services agency seeks an OPS Fruit Fly Trapper for the Division of Plant Industry in Coral Gables. This professional role protects native and cultivated flora across the state and requires field work, report keeping, and adherence to safety standards.

Responsibilities include deploying detection devices, conducting surveys, and participating in emergency programs while maintaining accurate records.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus six months in environmental protection or related field.
• Associate’s degree from an accredited college/university.

Responsibilities

• Place and service fruit fly detection devices and conduct pest detection surveys.
• Submit timely reports and maintain trapping records.
• Follow safety guidelines and program standards.
• Assist with inspections of plant material and high-risk commodities.

Skills

Record keeping

Public interaction

Outdoor work

Map reading

Lifting 25 lbs

Stamina/physical endurance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree

Tools

e-Trap

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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

Requisition No:883695

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42900435

(CLASS TITLE: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I)

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

CONTACT:

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.

NOTES:

• 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.
• 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, and regulation of native and cultivated flora within the state of Florida.

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.
• Performing all activities associated with fruit fly detection program and perform these activities properly, timely and in a responsible manner. Maintain 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);

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: CORAL GABLES, FL, US, 33156 CORAL SPRINGS, FL, US, 33065 CORAL GABLES, FL, US, 33186

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.