Environmental Specialist Ii

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

Requisition No: 870889
Agency:
Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title:

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II
- Pay Plan:
Career Service
Position Number:
Salary: $42,561.48 - $46,817.68
Posting Closing Date: 03/06/2026
Open Competitive Opportunity

Haydee Escobar, Phone

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the physical or natural sciences; agriculture; or engineering.
• A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) months of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

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.

• Authorized Certification Official for Phytosanitary Certificates.
• Regulatory responsibilities subject to Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code.
• Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program.

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.

Successful candidate must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

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 the purpose of minimizing or eliminating environmental and agricultural harm associated with the introduction of invading plant species, plant pests and pathogens, and from the improper harvesting and trade of native endangered plants.

Conducts field diagnostic tasks using approved sampling methods and equipment to collect laboratory samples. Detects, examines, collects, prepares, and submits insects and other arthropods, plant 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. Ensures that all nurseries, stock dealers and plant brokers located within an assigned area are properly registered with the department and that plant material offered for sale meets the requirements of the Florida Viability Law.

Maintains annual nursery inventory by plant categories. 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. Places and services fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual.

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