What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Care Assistant - OPS, 42901145 position at Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services?
To be considered for this position please submit your application through the People First system at
Requisition No: 863154
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: OPS PLANT CARE ASSISTANT
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number:
Salary: $15.50 Hourly
Posting Closing Date: 10/31/2025
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OPS PLANT CARE ASSISTANT
(CLASS TITLE: OPS AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN III)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY—
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***
CONTACT:
Lourdes Perez Cordero, or Raquel Ruggeberg,
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A high school diploma or its equivalent.
Possession of a valid driver license.
***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.
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.
Benefits include a LinkedIn Learning training account and optional insurance coverage.
JOB DUTIES:
This position is available at the FDACS Dundee Biological Control Laboratory (DBCL). The facility is located in the town of Dundee, in the heart of the citrus growing region of Central Florida.
The laboratory serves as a mass-rearing facility of Tamarixia raidata, a tiny parasitoid wasp that is a very effective natural enemy of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), the vector of a serious citrus diseases known as greening or Huanglongbing.
This position will assist in greenhouse, and laboratory work. The employee will be expected to work in greenhouses under hot/humid conditions, in controlled temperature/humidity chambers and in a laboratory environment.
Duties include (but are not limited to): general plant care, pruning/trimming plants, planting/transplanting, scouting for pests, spraying, watering, irrigation system maintenance, sanitization, and general greenhouse maintenance. Other duties involve general insect care, transferring plants in and out of the rearing cages, collecting and transferring insects from cages to vials, aspirating, sorting, and shipping insects. Any other related duties as required or assigned by management.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
* Knowledge with plant-insect interaction.
- Skilled in nurseries; working with plants and/or in laboratories with insects.
- Ability to be detail oriented and follow instructions.
- Ability to have time management skills and work independently.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to lift 35 lbs., bend repetitiously and stand for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
- Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
- Ability to adapt to changes such as weather, schedule, etc.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
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 ;
- State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan ) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);
- Flexible Spending Accounts; For a more benefits information, visit ;
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to People First at or go to:
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 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 , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Location:
DUNDEE, FL, US, 33838
Nearest Major Market: Lakeland
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $15.50 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Safety equipment provided
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $36,000 - $72,000