Requisition No: 827694 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 42005717

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005717 

Salary: $36,000.12 - $39,600.08 

Posting Closing Date: 05/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

INFORMATION SPECIALIST II 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY*** 

CONTACT:  

Daphne Glasgow; ph# 352-395-4604; email: Daphne.Galsgow@FDACS.gov 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism.  

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in communications or English can substitute for the required experience.  

Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education. 

Positions assigned to this class based on the photography allocation factor require the following minimum qualifications: 

Two (2) years of experience in taking, processing, and producing photographs and/or motion pictures; or 

Completion of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours from an accredited college or vocational/technical school including three courses in photography and one year of experience as described above: or 

Completion of a major course of study in photography from an accredited college or university. 

Requires possession of a valid Class E 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. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program, required. 

JOB DUTIES: 

General Statement: This is a professional position assigned to execute/assist with various helpline activities, and respond to direct written and other forms of communication for public, employee, and department use.  

Customer Service & Telecommunications

• Provides clear, concise, and accurate information regarding division and department programs using multiple platforms including telephone, email, and interpersonal communication.
• Communicates in a courteous and professional manner representative of the state.
• Multitasks during phone conversations, including entering real time information into division database while taking customer service calls.
• Routes callers to appropriate representative in an efficient and professional manner.
• Listens effectively to problem-solve with callers.

Helpline Knowledge

• Stay current on the status of and details regarding all division programs.
• Be familiar with department and division activities and functions.
• Understand the division structure including the functions and responsibilities of bureaus and sections.
• Maintain and update quick-reference information documents including comprehensive electronic Helpline Manual to ensure all employees are trained and following one conclusive set of guidelines.

Computer Competencies

• Writes, reviews and edits in Microsoft Office documents including Word, Outlook, Excel.
• Learns to use other computer programs and applications, when necessary.
• Provides troubleshooting and technical support for online division applications used by the public.

Emergency and Special Program Support

• Support division and cooperative programs and yearly initiatives as needed.
• Provide support and assistance, including phone and email communication, staff training and general administrative support, during emergency pest and disease programs.

Other Duties

• Assist the Public Information and Outreach section as needed to support the mission including administrative duties, special projects, outreach etc.
• Serves as backup to the helpline manager, as needed.
• Provides support to State Hemp Program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of public information and mass communication.
• Skilled in Proficient use of Microsoft Office software programs.
• Skilled in handling public inquiries and requests effectively and courteously.
• Skilled in customer service and problem-solving.
• Skilled in operating multiline telephone system.
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous and effective manner.
• Ability to compile and summarize information to develop reports.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Ability to lift and transport 30-pound objects.
• Knowledge of telecommunication and computer skills including, but not limited to Microsoft Office including, Excel, Outlook, Word.

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: 

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

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.