BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 42005715

Requisition No: 847269 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 42005715

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005715 

Salary:  $40,000.22 - $44,000.32 

Posting Closing Date: 03/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:
 

Dr. Nicole Casuso; ph# (352) 395-4686
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and one (1) year of related professional experience; or
 

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university as described above. 
 

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:
 

This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of S.112.313, F.S, and Section 60L-36.003, Florida Career Service Rules and Regulations.
 

Moderate travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required.
 

NOTES:
 

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a highly professional position responsible for managing the operations within the Invertebrate Research and Containment Laboratory (IRCL) and Plant Pathology Containment Facility (PPCL) as a Quarantine Officer in support of the plant and plant pest regulatory activities of the Division of Plant Industry (DPI).
 

Ensures quarantine security of biological control projects, which includes daily inspections of the IRCL and PPCL facilities at DPI. Maintains allocation of space in the IRCL, including analyzing and reporting on the status of ongoing or proposed uses to the FDACS-DPI Permitting and Containment Section. Remains current and up to date with FDACS/DPI and USDA/PPQ containment regulations and guidelines. Works in coordination with the DPI Quarantine Officer in Ft. Pierce to ensure that all facilities under DPI supervision are managed in unison and with consistency, meeting all state and federal quarantine standards.  
 

Serves as liaison between the permitting team and DPI entomologists for the review of arthropod permit requests.  Reviews any other assigned federal or state permits and provides comments for the FDACS-DPI permitting team.
 

Regularly conducts inspections of containment facilities in Florida to ensure security and compliance as outlined in both federal and state permits.  Provides written reports on the inspections. Creates and maintains risk factor assessments on containment facilities throughout North Florida.
 

Cooperates with scientists receiving colonies of exotic plant pests/pathogens and/or biological control organisms within quarantine. Maintains records of their health, security, and submits representative voucher specimens of arthropods received to the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.
 

Performs other related duties as required.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of agricultural practices including plant maintenance, Koch’s Postulates, and insect rearing techniques.
• Knowledge of insect/pathogen containment and quarantine procedures. 
• Knowledge of computers, MS office programs, GPS units, and the use of databases. 
• Knowledge of current systematic theory and practices used in research and diagnostics.
• Ability to plan and implement projects.
• Ability to use scientific laboratory and specialized equipment including, but not limited to, field equipment, computers, autoclaves, and microscopes.
• Ability to organize and prioritize assignments.
• Ability to prepare scientific research reports and administrative documents.
• Ability to understand and accurately interpret pertinent State and Federal regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to interact with others in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to work in extremely hot and cold temperatures.
• Ability to conduct inspections in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground.
   

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.