Environmental Specialist Ii

Contact
John Zito, Phone

Requisition No: 877378
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: 06/15/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST II

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

• OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

Minimum Requirements

• 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 (4 years) from an accredited college or university.

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.”

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized Certification Official for phytosanitary certificates.
• Must obtain fruit fly certification within six months of appointment and maintain throughout employment in this position.

Must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

This is a professional position responsible for the protection, certification, and regulation of native and cultivated flora within the state of Florida. The position conducts independent site inspections to minimize or eliminate 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. The responsibilities include:

• Conduct field diagnostic tasks using approved sampling methods and equipment to collect laboratory samples, detect, examine, collect, prepare, and submit insects and other arthropods, plant disease and soil samples to the appropriate technical bureau for confirmation.
• Initiate appropriate regulatory action upon field diagnosis and obtain additional information using investigative techniques, including reference materials, chemical treatments, source materials and interviews with authoritative sources to assist in proper diagnosis.
• Monitor 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.
• Ensure 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. Maintain annual nursery inventory by plant categories.
• Initiate and implement regulatory action to curtail the spread of various injurious pests, enforce adherence to Chapter 581, Florida Statutes, and appropriate rules.
• Conduct plant pest detection surveys in agricultural and residential environs and place and service fruit fly detection devices in accordance with the Florida Fruit Fly Detection Manual.
• Maintain knowledge of how to access and interpret plant export regulations of states and countries. Issue state or federal documents appropriate to the destination requirements of countries, ensuring adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Federal Endangered Species Act.
• Verify import permits to determine the requirements of the importing country and witness required treatments.
• Inspect plant material (cut flowers, nursery stock, and organic produce) and other high‑risk commodities from other states and foreign countries to exclude plant pests, and…