Requisition No: 867758
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: SAFETY OFFICER - 42002787 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 42002787
Salary: $47,668.14 - $85,000.24
Posting Closing Date: 01/15/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
SAFETY OFFICER
(CLASS TITLE: FIRE SAFETY PROFESSIONAL)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE
***INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.***
THIS ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES. THE POSITIONS’ LOCATION WILL BE NEGOTIABLE AT A FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE FACILITY WITHIN REGIONS 1 & 2 (BLACKWATER FORESTRY CENTER, CHIPOLA FORESTRY CENTER, TALLAHASSEE FORESTRY CENTER, PERRY DISTRICT, SUWANNEE FORESTRY CENTER, JACKSONVILLE FORESTRY CENTER, WACCASASSA FORESTRY CENTER) AND REGIONS 3 & 4 (WITHLACOOCHEE FORESTRY CENTER, ORLANDO FORESTRY CENTER, LAKELAND DISTRICT, MYAKKA RIVER DISTRICT, OKEECHOBEE DISTRICT, CALOOSAHATCHEE FORESTRY CENTER, EVERGLADES DISTRICT).
CONTACT:
Vanessa Smart, (850) 681-5930
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in Forestry.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.
A doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for two years of the required experience.
Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
Requires possession of a valid driver license.
***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
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:
Certificate of Compliance as a Fire Fighter
Occasional to moderate travel required.
Position may respond to emergencies, including natural disasters or other type incidents requiring travel, as needed.
NOTES:
To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.
Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
JOB DUTIES
The incumbent in this position is required to be fire certified as a forestry firefighter under Chapter 633, F.S., and at any time may be required to perform the tasks of a Certified Wildland Firefighter in accordance with Florida Forest Service (FFS) Policy and Procedure 225.00, Appendix B. This position functions as a wildland firefighter and Safety Officer on wildfires and other incidents, including fatalities, major injuries and near-miss and incident review teams for wildfires and other incidents in the FFS Regions 1 and 2. Working closely with the Safety Officer for FFS Regions 3 and 4, the incumbent is responsible for researching, planning/designing, implementing, directing and evaluating the safety, other and safety grant programs for the FFS. These programs must provide for the enhancement of specialized and technical skills such as wildland fire and all-risk safety that is necessary to carry out a successful effort to protect and perpetuate Florida’s forest resources. Ensures a systematic investigation and analysis of accident cause and frequency rates take place and that the FFS is working toward the development of a safe, accident-free work environment on wildfires, all-risk incidents and other areas for service personnel.
Conducts research and analysis of the FFS’s wildfire and safety programs in order to arrive at a correct needs assessment and develop safety programs objectives. Designs and administers special programs developed to concentrate on specific tangible reductions for wildfire incidents, lost-time injuries and minimize loss of employee productivity.
Coordinates with the Bureau Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs and immediate supervisors in the development and administration of the FFS’s wildfire safety program and overall safety program management procedures, including the coordination of all assigned wildfire safety officers.
Serves as primary Safety Officer for the FFS on large fires and area command situations and spends time on the fire line reviewing safety procedures on incidents to ensure protocols are followed. Serves on fatalities, major injuries, near-miss and incident review teams for wildfires and other incidents. Acts as liaison on wildfire safety requirements of the FFS with local state and federal agencies.
Analyzes, develops, coordinates and/or conducts wildfire and all-risk safety training and procedures to include: CPR, AED, EMT Recertification, Bloodborne Pathogen and other programs as may be needed.
Oversees the FFS’s Health and Wellness Program and Firefighter Fitness Program.
Researches and identifies potential public and private sources of grant funding in wildland fire safety and other areas for state office and field units. Reviews and recommends to the Assistant Chief of Forest Protection grant proposals for the development and enhancement of the FFS’s core program. Responsible for handling other fire emergencies or disaster response requests and assuming command of firefighters on the ground as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”
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. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. 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.
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.
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