RESEARCH SCIENTIST-SES - 42001257

Requisition No: 851399 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST-SES - 42001257

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42001257 

Salary:  $55,000.14 - $60,500.18 

Posting Closing Date: 05/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I-SES
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:
 

Dr. Patti Anderson; phone# (352) 395-4701 or email Patti.Anderson@FDACS.gov.
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in botany, agriculture, or one of the other biological, physical, or natural sciences.
 

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 up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT:  This is a highly professional position responsible for directing the service and research activities of the Botany Section, including the Division of Plant Industry Herbarium, in support of the plant and plant pest regulatory responsibilities of the Division of Plant Industry.
 

The incumbent spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates. In addition, the incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop accurate work plans, and timely approve attendance and leave for each subordinate. Incumbent has the authority to make recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate.
 

Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.
 

Provides expert identification and classification of plant specimens to genus and species, or the lowest taxonomic unit possible using taxonomic keys, herbarium specimens and other scientific methods of identification.  Researches plant species for various projects and surveys of the bureau.  Designs sampling protocol and expert analysis relating to host plants for taxonomic studies of nematodes, arthropods and plant pathogens.
 

Maintains currency, expertise and professional standing in biosystematics through communication and correspondence with other recognized expert systematists. Coordinates botanical acquisitions (books, journals, and computer bibliographies) with the library.  Reviews pertinent scientific literature on plants. Prepares and writes peer-reviewed, scientific taxonomic publications based upon data compiled from identifications, classifications and biosystematics studies.

These publications are written using standard scientific nomenclature and format and cite references.
 

Develops and organizes survey and detection projects to determine the presence and location of indigenous and nonindigenous plants and for biodiversity information, including participating in field surveys and conducting biosystematic research on plants.
 

Serves as Managing Editor of Tri-ology, including the supervision of Botany’s report and editing the technical reports from other bureaus or sections within DPI.  This position also serves as a member of the Division’s Publication Review Committee which reviews all division publications, including manuscripts and lists of plant names (scientific and common) for accuracy, synonymy and author names.
 

Reviews applications for collecting/harvesting prohibited noxious weeds and protected aquatic, endangered or commercially exploited plants and nominating species for protected or prohibited status. Reviews federal permit applications relating to Florida. Reviews requirements for containment/buffer areas and identifies voucher specimens for non-native planting.
 

Coordinates the DPI Herbarium Program, including supervising the collecting, mounting and labeling of plant specimens for the herbarium and seed collection.
 

Serves as the technical representative on committees, including University of Florida’s Cultivar Release Committee, DPI’s Noxious Weed Review Committee and DPI’s Endangered Plant Advisory Council. 
 

Provides botanical training to plant protection specialists and clubs or interest groups through training classes, workshops, seminars and lectures.
 

Performs other related duties as required.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of botany and current systematic theory and practices.
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory and specialized equipment such as field equipment, computers, genetic analysis equipment, and various microscopes.
• Ability to plan, design and conduct projects to improve our diagnostic infrastructure and capabilities and analyze information to make scientific recommendations.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments, delegate tasks and supervise employees.
• Ability to prepare scientific research reports and administrative documents and publish results.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Ability to manage resources including funding, personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work in extreme hot and cold temperatures.
• Ability to walk 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.