Experiences at Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

I served as secretarial support for the Solicitation of Contributions Section. Prepared and maintained registration forms for the section, tracked inquiry letters mailed to unregistered charities. Prepared investigative reports for review and action. Mailed copies of financial reports to interested parties, answered a consumer hotline for the Department....

The three best things about working for this Department are, in this order, my co workers, my supervisors and my job. In the past 20 years, I have made many dear friends in this Department and have thoroughly enjoyed the time I've worked with each one of them. My current Division Director, Bureau Chief, and Supervisor, are wonderful to work with. They have always encouraged the employees to do our best and reward us when we do. They are fair individuals who have taught me the proper way to supervise people. And my job, it's taken a long time to work my way up in this Department, I have reached the "glass ceiling" so to speak and have learned so many consumer protection tips and contacts from other states and federal agencies. Our Assistant Commissioner once told us to "work to live, don't live to work" and this Department believes that. We have the most caring group of people around. It has been a wonderful experience working here....

I served as the sole secretarial support for the Business Opportunity Section. I was primarily responsible for responding to inquiries regarding this statute from consumers and businesses. I reconciled and deposited registration monies for the section. Reviewed and issued Advertising Identification Numbers for franchises filing an exemption in this state. I prepared reports for other agencies on activities within the section and complaint trends. I prepared and tracked correspondence to unregistered businesses and reconciled information necessary for the monthly reports to supervisors....

I think the most challenging aspects of this position was keeping up with all the data. We received monthly reports from the Better Business Bureaus in Florida regarding their Autoline activities. It was my responsibility to review the reports and pull the information necessary to complete our record keeping requirements....

I was instrumental in developing and maintaining the Paradox database for use by the Lemon Law Section. I was responsible for compiling statistics, information and necessary data for the correct and timely preparation of reports. I performed audits on the Better Business Bureau's Autoline Program which involves both physical and electronic auditing procedures. As part of the Lemon Law team, I answered calls from the hotline in a timely and professional manner. I was often assigned projects outside the scope of the position, ie composing for final approval the personnel selection modules and developing methods for reporting Performance Based Budgeting....

During the time I held this position with the Department, I worked closely with my team members and independently on my work load. I learned many different aspects of the regulated programs the Department has jurisdiction over. My greatest joy in this position was helping the consumers, our customers, in resolving their complaints against various businesses....

The duties and responsiblities of this position include reviewing and processing complaints on regulated and non regulated areas, determine if any violations of the law has occurred in a timely manner. Handle telephone inquiries professionally and calmly, even when the consumer is unhappy with the outcome of the informal mediations. Serve as team leader for the Bureau of Mediation and Enforcement, which includes setting meetings, communicating with team members on procedural changes affecting our work areas. If work load allows, I seek other projects from co workers or assist other team members with their work loads. I have used my creativity to make charts for each regulated program to track the Bureau's goals....

I think the secret to being promoted, I was first hired with the Department in 1987, in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is dedication and hard work. I have proven myself to be a capable and valuable employee of the Department. I have accepted many different projects as part of my learning and growth experiences. The true secret is to never to be into myself to help others, always keep in mind that we are here to serve the State of Florida and that I must do this to the best of my abilities....

Duties and responsibilities include Duties and responsibilities include enforcing regulated statutes. Prepare administrative complaints, final orders and settlement agreements for Supervisor signature to businesses explaining violations. Prepare and send correspondence regarding other related areas. Handle incoming phone calls regarding a variety of issues maintaining professionalism and often times diffusing a situation with an angry business person. Currently serve as team leader for the Regulatory Consultant Team, which include setting meetings, preparing agendas, chairing the monthly meetings, communicate with team members and supervisors on procedural changes within the Department. Assist members of other teams when requested. Assist with special projects as needed. This position works with very little supervision....