AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROT SPEC - OPS - 42903091

Date:  Jul 23, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website.

Requisition No: 879651 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROT SPEC - OPS - 42903091

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42903091 

Salary:  $23.09 - $26.44 

Posting Closing Date: 08/06/2026 

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AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SPECIALIST - OPS

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY –
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***

The headquarters for this position is negotiable within Marion, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, and Lake Counties.

CONTACT:

Michelle Smith
850.410.0933

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

Preference will be given to those with experience in the care, management and husbandry of livestock including equine or poultry.

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, 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of Section 60L-36.003, Florida Administrative Code, and Chapter 112.313, Florida Statutes.

Willingness to respond to emergency duty, whether called day or night.  This emergency duty may include natural disasters or animal disease outbreaks. Willingness to be deployed from your assigned headquarters for extended periods of time (up to 30 days).

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.  Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

Incumbent must wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) when required.

Incumbent must be willing to work during the weekend and holidays as required.

Occasional travel required.

Must reside in required county(ies) throughout employment in this position.

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

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.

JOB DUTIES:

The primary duties and responsibilities of an Agriculture and Consumer Protection (ACP) Specialist are to enforce the provisions of state and federal law regarding animal disease control for the protection of Florida’s agricultural industry and public safety.  Additional duties include emergency preparedness [Emergency Support Function (ESF)-17] and assuring the quality of agricultural products prior to their entrance into the marketing channels.

In accomplishing these duties, the employee must cooperate fully with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel and others engaged in related activities.  The incumbent is expected to demonstrate, model and reinforce the department’s fundamental values of professionalism, commitment, integrity, innovation and excellence in all interactions with coworkers and the public. The duties of the ACP Specialist include the same duties as that of the ACP Inspector with additional responsibilities as an emergency support technician. The following duties and responsibilities are assigned to this position.

Works in coordination with bureau personnel to conduct animal disease program activities related to the inspection, control and testing of livestock, poultry and other animals to detect animal diseases and ectoparasites that may pose a threat to the state agricultural economy or impact public health. Duties include: general animal health inspections, premises inspections, investigating complaints related to animal disease in livestock and poultry, documenting findings and actions taken on appropriate forms, collecting samples, promoting animal official identification, issuing and releasing quarantines, educating animal owners about biosecurity, assisting veterinary medical officers (VMO) with inspections and testing, collecting and packaging samples, formulation of test charts, and sample submission to an approved laboratory. The incumbent ensures quality and marketability of Florida’s livestock, inspects herd health plans and investigates animal disease complaints. The incumbent works independently and proceeds on own initiative and judgement within guidelines established by the supervisor. Properly uses livestock equipment and performs routine maintenance. Performs all duties associated with inspection of livestock for sale at livestock markets including inspection of permits, Official Certificate of Veterinarian Inspections, other movement documents and verifies animal identification device. Enforces department’s rules and regulations regarding animal disease and animal movement. Ensures compliance with department’s rules and regulations.

Prepares and submits required forms in written electronic format for daily activity.  Maintains proper care of department’s vehicle and personally assigned equipment.

Provides on-the-job training for new personnel. Serves as back-up for the district’s ESF-17 and animal disease ACP Specialists.

Participates in workshops and training to learn livestock and poultry disease eradication programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Computer skills
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions; ability to frequently bend, kneel, climb, stand and walk several hours each day
• Ability to work on uneven terrain
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

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. 

• 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;

• 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: 

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.

Location: 

BELLEVIEW, FL, US, 34420 OCALA, FL, US, 33474 INVERNESS, FL, US, 34450 DUNNELLON, FL, US, 34431 BROOKSVILLE, FL, US, 34604 TAVARES, FL, US, 32778 WILDWOOD, FL, US, 34785 INVERNESS, FL, US, 34452 REDDICK, FL, US, 32686 DUNNELLON, FL, US, 34432 TAVARES, FL, US, 32278 HERNANDO, FL, US, 34442 OCALA, FL, US, 34473 CRYSTAL RIVER, FL, US, 34428 OCALA, FL, US, 34482 LADY LAKE, FL, US, 32162 UMATILLA, FL, US, 32784 SUMMERFIELD, FL, US, 34491 BROOKSVILLE, FL, US, 34609 CLERMONT, FL, US, 34715 LEESBURG, FL, US, 34748 BROOKSVILLE, FL, US, 34602 OCALA, FL, US, 34472 ORANGE LAKE, FL, US, 32681 OCALA, FL, US, 34475 THE VILLAGES, FL, US, 32162 FRUITLAND PARK, FL, US, 34731 OCALA, FL, US, 34471 BROOKSVILLE, FL, US, 34614 OCALA, FL, US, 32674 LEESBURG, FL, US, 34788 OCALA, FL, US, 34478 CLERMONT, FL, US, 34714 CITRA, FL, US, 32113 WEBSTER, FL, US, 33597 GROVELAND, FL, US, 34736 EUSTIS, FL, US, 32736 OCALA, FL, US, 34474 EUSTIS, FL, US, 32726 MOUNT DORA, FL, US, 32757 OCALA, FL, US, 34470 CLERMONT, FL, US, 34711 OCALA, FL, US, 34479 LECANTO, FL, US, 34461 BROOKSVILLE, FL, US, 34601 CRYSTAL RIVER, FL, US, 32629 SORRENTO, FL, US, 32776 BUSHNELL, FL, US, 33513 WEEKI WACHEE, FL, US, 34606 PAISLEY, FL, US, 32767 SILVER SPRINGS, FL, US, 34488 LAKE PANASOFFKEE, FL, US, 33538 EUSTIS, FL, US, 32727 SPRING HILL, FL, US, 34606

Nearest Major Market: Ocala

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For assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.