BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001346 1

Requisition No: 839317 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001346 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001346 

Salary:  $39,000.00 - $42,900.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/21/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:              
 

Dr. Hector Urbina, phone# (352) 395-4766 or email Hector.Urbina@FDACS.gov
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences. 
 

Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.
 

Requires possession of 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.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT:  This position works under the direct supervision of the Plant Pathology Section supervisor. Responsibilities include day-to-day cataloging of submitted samples accurately and efficiently, and dispatching completed specimen reports. Primary diagnostic responsibilities are in fungal and abiotic diseases.
 

Processes plant samples (receives, catalogs, and prepares for diagnosis, completes systematic diagnostic process). Assists with diagnosing routine and moderately complex plant problems, assists in identifying plant pathogens (with emphasis on fungal pathogens) from foliage, stems, roots and surrounding environment using cultural and/or microscopic techniques coupled with taxonomic keys and other appropriate phytopathological, microbiological and horticultural literature. Consults with supervisor and/or Section Administrator in diagnosis of diseases with more complex etiology or in cases of new/rare biotic and abiotic plant diseases.
 

Receives and processes plant and soil samples submitted in person to the Plant Pathology Section, interacts directly with growers, nursery owners and the public. Assists with on-site visits to assess urgent plant problems when necessary. Conducts appropriate sampling of plants and soil.
 

Assists in conducting serological and molecular testing as confirmation of traditional identification methods. 
 

Assists in training of new Plant Protection Specialists, graduate students, DPI inspectors and visitors in field and nursery sampling techniques to diagnose plant problems, especially diseases.
 

Conducts evaluation of disease management strategies and techniques for application in routine control programs.
 

Assists supervisor in evaluation of disease management strategies pertaining to emergency or quarantine actions.
 

Periodic travel may be required to help facilitate activities associated with current section, bureau or division duties. This may include travel associated with grant projects, farm bills and/or assisting in pest surveys, inspections, public outreach and emergency programs.
 

Contributes to the writing of periodical circulars or fact sheets, either as sole, principal, or cooperative author, concerning economically important and/or commonly encountered plant diseases and other related topics of current interest.
 

Refers complex plant problems with multiple causal agents other than, or in addition to, plant pathogens to the appropriate plant specialists (i.e., nematologist, entomologist, botanist).
 

Conducts uncomplicated pathogenicity tests; consults with supervisor and/or Section Administrator for more complex pathogenicity tests.
 

Performs other related work as required by supervisor.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of quantitative qPCR and standard PCR thermocyclers and software.
• Skill in operating molecular lab equipment including centrifuges, balances, autoclaves, gel electrophoresis rigs, and gel imagers.
• Skill in laboratory techniques including tissue biopsy, nucleic acid extraction, purification, and storage.
• Skill using micropipettes of various style and volume range.
• Skill standardizing quantitative and droplet digital PCR assays.
• Skill with personal computer and word processing.
• Skill in record keeping, sample tracking, and laboratory organization and general lab safety.
• Ability to diagnose plant diseases.
• Ability to prepare buffers and calculate solute concentrations.
• Ability to understand and follow technical instructions.
• Ability to proficiently plan, organize, and coordinate assigned work duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
   

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.