Aquatic Plant Technician

The Division of Aquatic Services manages nuisance aquatic plants within the 25,000 surface acres of lakes and rivers in the County, and is also responsible for maintaining waterway signage, boating improvements, and artificial fishing reef projects. 

The Aquatic Plant Technician maintains navigation within the accessible-­by-­public waterways within Citrus County.  This position requires experience using airboats, kicker boats, automotive and spray equipment. The schedule for this full-time position is Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

• Drives and/or operates a county vehicle or equipment and must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.
• Sprays or mechanically removes aquatic vegetation in navigation channels and lakes, removes log jams, tussocks, windfalls, and related debris.
• Trims, removes, and disposes of trees, land-based vegetation, debris, and other obstructions as needed.  Provides care for land or water-based barriers, anchors, and buoys.
• Safely operates airboats, trucks, spray pumps and other related equipment.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on equipment used.
• Checks out chemicals for use.  Cleans equipment, fuel, and greases all assigned equipment.
• Assists in loading and unloading of herbicides, chemicals, and equipment, prepares check-in and check­out sheets, computes appropriate rates and amounts for use and handling of chemicals.
• Prepares forms and reports as required by supervisor.
• Performs other duties as required.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Six (6) months experience in the aquatic plant management field, preferred.
• Proven experience with the ability to safely operate airboats, kicker boats, automotive and spray equipment.
• Knowledge and ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on equipment used.

• Valid Florida Driver License or must obtain within 30 days of establishing residency in Florida.
• Dependability to work in remote and unsupervised situations.
• Successful completion of Respiratory Fit for Duty Test.
• Must have or be able to obtain within six (6) months of employment, the Florida Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Applicator License with Aquatic endorsement.
• Requires ability to maintain courteous and effective relations with County staff, elected officials, community interest groups and the public.
• Must have strong working knowledge of computers and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite of Products (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Must have or be able to obtain within 90 days certification in FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses:
  • IS-100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS); and
  • IS-700.b: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

• Requires sitting most of the time.
• The job involves frequent lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.
• The job requires frequent bending, balancing, and twisting and on occasion squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, jumping, throwing, and reaching above shoulders.
• The job requires the completion of tasks that involves simple grasping, pushing, pulling, fine manual manipulation, operating foot controls/levers, and driving automotive equipment, and occasional working in darkness and operating a manual transmission.
• The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, depth perception and color vision, hearing, and speaking.
• The job may risk exposure to adverse weather, moving machinery, fumes and gases, electrical hazards, unprotected heights, extreme noise.
• The job requires a respiratory fit for duty test.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens. Emergency response duties may also include driving and/or operating a county vehicle or equipment and employees must obey all safety policies, and roadway rules and laws.

Employee Benefits at a GlanceMedical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Employee Health & Wellness Center, Florida Retirement System (FRS), Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance $20,000, Long Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 11 Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Leave   Please visit the Benefits tab of this posting for additional information and a link to the Employee Benefits Highlights booklet.

Basis of Rating: Some positions may require a written and/or skills test. Applications will be carefully reviewed to assess each individuals’ qualifications. Selected persons will be interviewed to determine who will be hired for the job.  The kind and length of related work experience, training and education shown on the application will be an important consideration in the screening process.

Must successfully pass an employment reference check, criminal background check, physical examination, and drug screen. Drug screens will be in accordance with the Drug Free Workplace Act and/or the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.

Citrus County, 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.  

Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected trait.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the Citrus County, Florida Board of County Commissioners in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. 

Pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes or the “Public Records Law,” applications, resumes and personnel records are subject to public inspections. Details regarding the “Public Records Law”/ “The Sunshine Law” / Florida Statutes and the statutory exemptions are available on websites such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Florida Senate and Florida Legislature. Additionally, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners Public Information section is located on our website.

Salary : $19