OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42915063

Requisition No: 865241 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42915063

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42915063 

Salary:  $16.00 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 11/21/2025 

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OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION*** 

CONTACT:
 

Dr. Erick Rodriguez, Phone 352-395-4676

Email Erick.Rodriguez@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.

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 on an emergency program, is required.
 

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for the identification and curation of arthropods in support of the plant pest regulatory activities of the Division of Plant Industry.

Prepares specimens for identification, research, and curation. Prepares adults for observation, photographing, and data capture. Photographs Tephritidae and non-Tephritidae specimens from field traps and museum collection using iPad, auto montage system, and light microscopy. Identifies flies and organizes images to family, genus, and species level. Annotates collected images for machine learning and organizes all the data, including enhancing image quality. Prepares samples from insects for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) extraction and molecular identification. Sees that voucher materials are properly curated into the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.  

Assists in managing assigned areas and taxonomic collections to keep them clean, orderly and available for use. This includes but not limited to: keeping various records of activities, shipping and receiving loans of specimens, completing required reports in timely manner, assisting visitors to use collections, keeping specimens and document filing to acceptable level, physical maintenance of designated areas, taxonomic collections and resources.

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

Performs other duties as required by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of digitization and high-resolution photography.
• Knowledge of current systematic practice and theory, specimen curation and preparation procedures.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures.
• Skill in using a compound microscope, including training others in its use.
• Skill to remove tissues from insects for DNA analysis. 
• Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight trips.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs. and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing) in a networked environment.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
  
  

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida as an OPS employee is more than just a paycheck. 

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*);
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com;
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);

• Flexible Spending Accounts; For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  
  

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per  week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/myhealth/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

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.