OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42913235

State of Florida; Delray Beach (FL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State group insurance

457b plan

401(a) plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

State of Florida's Agriculture and Consumer Services department is seeking an OPS Fruit Fly Trapper in the Division of Plant Industry. This full-time OPS position involves placing and maintaining fruit fly detection devices, performing field surveys, collecting samples, and assisting with regulatory inspections and emergency pest programs.

Responsibilities include data entry, reporting, and engaging with the public while adhering to safety guidelines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and six months of environmental protection/regulation/health experience; one natural or physical science, agriculture or engineering.
• An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Exotic Fruit Fly Detection: place devices, conduct pest surveys, maintain records in program standards.
• Public Relations: maintain professional demeanor, respond to consumer inquiries, attend meetings.
• Field Diagnostic and Sampling: collect lab samples, prepare and submit insects and other specimens.
• Regulatory Activities: assist inspections of plant materials and high-risk commodities.
• Emergency Programs: assist in exotic pest surveys and emergency deployments.
• Related work: perform duties as directed by management.

Skills

Driver License

Education

Associate’s degree

Job description

Requisition No: 882169

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS FRUIT FLY TRAPPER - 42913235

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42913235

Salary: $19.00 Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 09/21/2026

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

Holly Jarboe, Email: [e-mail]

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;
• An associate’s degree (2 years) from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a valid Driver License.

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, 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

• Occasionally travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program.

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.

Benefits include optional insurance coverage and a LinkedIn Learning training account.

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

The incumbent is responsible for 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 temperature 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

• 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.