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ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42005727

Employer
State of Florida
Location
Palmetto, Florida, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jul 28, 2021

View more

Sector
Government
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Other
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
Requisition No: 421222

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II - 42005727

Position Number: 42005727

Salary: $36,467.60 - $40,114.36

Posting Closing Date: 07/26/2021

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Tracy Howard (941) 705-7857
Tracy.Howard@fdacs.gov

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in agriculture, or a physical or natural science and one (1) year of experience in the inspection, production or processing of plants or plant products, or in plant pest detection; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, or a physical or natural science; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university in agriculture, or a physical or natural science; or

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist I with the State of Florida.

Experience in the inspection, production or processing of plants or plant products, or in plant pest detection, can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

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.
  • 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 required.

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s. 112.313, Florida Statutes and Section 60L-36.003, Florida Career Service Rules and Regulations.

NOTES:

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, certification, and regulation of native and cultivated flora within the state of Florida. This position conducts independent site inspections for minimizing or eliminating environmental and agricultural harm associated with the introduction of invasive plant species, plant pests and pathogens.

Independently conducts field and nursery inspections related to environmental containment and hemp transportation plan, hemp seed and plant variety documentation to ensure hemp growing locations are in compliance with state and federal guidelines. Ensures that plants meet the acceptable THC level through initial and possible follow-up testing. Witnesses destruction of plant material not meeting these requirements. Delivers clear, concise, accurate and factual summaries of results of inspections both orally and in writing.

Detects, examines, collects, prepares, and submits insects and other arthropods, disease and soil samples indexed to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation. Initiates appropriate regulatory action upon field diagnosis. Obtains additional information using various investigative techniques, including reference materials, chemical treatments, source materials and interviews with authoritative sources to assist in proper diagnosis. Monitors native and horticultural material within the state for the detection of exotic plant pests, and the population and distribution of domestic or introduced plant pests. Maintains annual hemp nursery inventory. Initiates and implements regulatory action to curtail the spread of various injurious pests. Enforces adherence to Chapter 581, Florida Statutes, and appropriate rules. Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environs.

Conducts plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environs. Places and services pest and fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual.

Maintains knowledge of how to access and interpret plant export regulations of states and countries relating to hemp and other crops. Issues state or federal documents appropriate to the destination requirements. Verifies import permits to determine the requirements of the importing state/country and witnesses required treatments.

Inspects imported hemp plant material (nursery stock and unprocessed material) and other high-risk commodities from other states and foreign countries to exclude plant pests.

Assists 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 and unusual working hours and may require serving on a voluntary basis as a trainer and/or supervisor for Other Personal Services (OPS) employees hired for these special programs.

Resolves consumer complaints or, when necessary, refers them to the proper agency. Attends meetings and workshops and gives presentations to keep the public informed concerning hemp activities. Maintains proper records of all functions and submits timely and accurate reports of all work performed. Provides support to the State Hemp Program.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Knowledge of techniques used in inspecting plants or other agricultural products.
  • Knowledge of the regulatory treatments.
  • Knowledge of pesticide labeling restrictions.
  • Ability to detect plant pests.
  • Ability to compile, organize and analyze data and make recommendations.
  • Ability to interpret rules and regulations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  • Ability to work in extreme hot and cold temperatures.
  • Ability to handle and transport 25-pound objects.
  • Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground.
  • Ability to operate a computer to access and retrieve electronic information.

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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. 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.

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