OPS DUTY OFFICER - 42903050 - Great Opportunity!

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is a state government agency dedicated to fostering a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment for Florida’s citizens and visitors. FDACS oversees various programs related to agriculture, consumer protection, and natural resource management, playing a vital role in supporting the state’s economy and protecting its natural resources. Within the department, the Florida Forest Service is a specialized division responsible for wildfire prevention, suppression, and management across Florida's vast forested and rural areas. This agency is crucial in maintaining public safety, managing forest health, and coordinating emergency response efforts related to wildfire incidents throughout the state. The OPS Duty Officer position at the Florida Forest Service is a full-time, other personal services (OPS) role offering an hourly wage of $18.00. This position functions as a critical communication and coordination hub during fire suppression and emergency response operations. The duty officer is responsible for managing the flow of information and dispatching resources such as firefighters, supervisory personnel, pilots, and law enforcement through a communications center. This role requires operation under pressure, often during critical incidents, demanding sound judgment and the ability to work independently. Shifts may vary, including potential extended hours or emergency call-ins to maintain effective incident management. As an OPS Duty Officer, the incumbent manages essential communication technologies, including radios, telephones, and computer systems, ensuring that wildfire and emergency notifications are accurately relayed. This position supports fire suppression activities by dispatching crews to wildfire scenes, handling smoke complaints, and collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies for resource assistance. Furthermore, duties extend beyond dispatching to administrative tasks such as maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, and updating burn authorization information across multiple counties. The Duty Officer also provides landowner assistance by advising on burn regulations, inspecting compliance, and tracking landowner interactions related to controlled burns. In addition to emergency dispatch and administrative responsibilities, the Duty Officer serves as a vital contact point in the communications center, receiving and relaying information between various stakeholders including fire departments, government agencies, cooperators, and the general public. The individual also plays a role in fire weather forecasting by collecting and disseminating weather data relevant to fire risk, ensuring that crews and stakeholders have up-to-date information to make informed decisions. This position requires a dedicated individual with at least one year of relevant experience in fields such as radio-teletype operations, law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting, or public contact roles. A high school diploma or equivalent is mandatory, with the possibility to substitute experience with college education. The successful candidate must possess a valid Class E driver’s license and be prepared for occasional travel related to training or emergency response. Background screening, including fingerprinting, is a precondition for employment. Working with the Florida Forest Service as an OPS Duty Officer offers valuable state employment benefits, including access to state group insurance programs for eligible employees, deferred compensation plans, retirement savings options, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs. This role not only provides a competitive wage but also an opportunity to contribute to the safety and well-being of Florida’s communities through vital emergency management and fire suppression support services.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• one year of relevant experience in radio-teletype operations, sworn law enforcement, dispatching, forestry, firefighting or other public contact work
• valid Class E driver license
• ability to travel occasionally for training
• pass background screening including fingerprinting
• no use of Artificial Intelligence tools for qualifying questions or interviews