LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42003772

Requisition No: 831117 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42003772

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42003772 

Salary:  $37,000.08 - $40,700.14 

Posting Closing Date: 06/27/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:
 

Lindsay Mikell; phone# (386) 853-6451 or email Lindsay.Mikell@FDACS.gov.
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in laboratory work. 
 

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours for each year of the required experience provided such education includes three (3) courses in the physical and/or natural sciences.  (NOTE:  If using college education to qualify, you must provide a copy of an official or unofficial transcript as supporting documentation showing the required coursework.)
 

A valid Class E Driver License.
 

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 
 

***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 at a time on an emergency program, is required.
 

Must reside within 50 miles of workstation.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT:  This position is assigned to greenhouse and laboratory work associated with the production, therapy, and testing of citrus plants for the Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program. Incumbent works independently to maintain citrus trees needed for biological indexing, thermotherapy, and shoot-tip grafting and works to help facilitate molecular testing of trees.
 

Greenhouse work: Perform daily maintenance of citrus trees using established protocols. These duties include, but are not limited to, monitoring trees for adequate nutrient and water status; scouting for insect and disease presence, seeding, and performing clean propagation by budding; potting, pruning, and weeding; tracking greenhouse environmental conditions; and making needed adjustments in a timely manner. Records in database all propagation, planting, and chemical applications. Plans and maintains planting schedules to ensure adequate supply of rootstocks. Assist with pesticide and fertilizer applications. Assists with biological graft-transmissible pathogen tests for citrus viroids, psorosis, and other pathogens.
 

Laboratory work: Maintains an ample supply of prepared laboratory media and buffers following written protocols.  Keeps the laboratory clean and uncluttered. Assists with shoot tip grafting procedures. Assists with tissue preparation and nucleic acid extraction for molecular diagnostics of citrus diseases.
 

Participates in occasional weekend and holiday watering of greenhouse plants and seasonal cold protection measures after regular working hours.
 

Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of entire operations of Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, aseptic technique, and HAZMAT handling.
• Knowledge of laboratory instrument and glassware handling, and media preparation.
• Knowledge of general greenhouse and nursery procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of basic insect identification and pest scouting.
• Knowledge of plant health with emphasis on citrus.
• Knowledge of personal computer operations with a focus on Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks that are part of the continuous process of indexing.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
   

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.