Requisition No: 872157
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III - 42902312
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 42902312
Salary: $24.04 Hourly
Posting Closing Date: 04/04/2026
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OPS ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST III
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***
The headquarters location is negotiable within Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and PolkCounty.
CONTACT:
Marah Clark, (850) 617-7918
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma or its equivalent and two (2) years of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the natural sciences; or
A high school diploma or its equivalent and one and a half (1.5) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist I or higher with the State of Florida; or
A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited collegein entomology or biology, and six (6) months of experience in environmental protection, regulation, or health; one of the natural sciences.
Requires possession of a valid Class E 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)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
The incumbent of this position is considered to have regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 60L-36, FAC.
Occasional travel required outside of the assigned territory. Moderate travel required within the assigned territory/counties.
Must reside in required territory/counties 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.
This position supports mosquito control efforts in the Central West Mosquito Control Support counties of Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter.
The headquarters for this location is negotiable within Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk County.
Candidates with entomology education or experience and/or mosquito control experience will be given preference.
JOB DUTIES:
Prepare training course materials and instruct mosquito control personnel on public health arthropods, arthropod biology, habitat, control, regulations, medical importance, identification and surveillance. Provide presentations to professional, educational, governmental, civic and other organizations related to medical entomology and arthropod control. Perform training in proper standardized techniques for trapping to include sorting and shipping mosquito specimens for viral isolations. Update and revise written, electronic, and on-line materials for the mosquito control industry and the public.
Perform mosquito surveillance and identification to assist local governmental organizations in obtaining mosquito population dynamics data. Coordinate and facilitate shipment of potential vector species to state laboratory for virus testing.
Provide technical assistance in arthropod identification and control and make recommendations for mitigating disease carrying arthropods to mosquito control programs and other state and local agencies. Respond to public inquiries related to mosquitoes, termites, ants, bed bugs, cockroaches and other arthropod pests, as well as inquiries related to general pest control. Represent the department by attending staff meetings, conferences and workshops.
Provide mosquito surveillance and control expertise to support the Division’s Incident Response team during declared emergency efforts to control mosquitoes. Assist in the review of pesticide registrations for those involving medical or agricultural entomology.
Assist the department's liaison during disease outbreaks and other entomologically-related emergency situations. Participate in emergency planning and/or response activities based on outbreak and emergency situations. Prepare reports which may contain information derived from internal research projects, sample and surveillance data for mosquito identification and disease trends for department's management, medical facilities, private companies and the general public upon request.
Perform other related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
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.
*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.
Join Florida’s talented workforce to fulfill your professional goals and achieve a meaningful career. Our talented public servants work hard to serve more than 19 million residents across Florida, and you, too, can realize success in the Sunshine State.
Working in Florida’s state government means being responsive to the issues impacting the taxpayers of our state. Florida’s state government boasts both fast-paced work environments in which critical thinking and creative problem-solving are a must as well as steady employment opportunities that prize consistent service to our state’s residents. In some positions, state employment means being able to influence policy decisions and help implement change. In others, state employment means being the reliable resource that our taxpayers have come to expect from Florida’s public servants. All positions offer the ability to gain valuable experience quickly, improving your overall skillset. The State of Florida is seeking individuals with leadership skills, creativity and dedication to their fellow Floridians and individuals who recognize the professional development opportunities and achievements possible through state service.
Florida boasts the third largest population in the country and is richly diverse in both population and landscape. With an award-winning park system, warm weather and beautiful bodies of water, Florida is the perfect environment for recreational activities and outdoor enthusiasts. Our favorable tax climate means your income goes further and our business-friendly policies foster private sector growth. Joining Florida’s talented, diverse workforce provides the opportunity to achieve your professional goals while living in a state that values quality of life, culture and recreation. For employment opportunities with the State of Florida, visit https://jobs.myflorida.com.
