BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001057 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 865999 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001057 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001057 

Salary:  $49,000.12 - $50,000.08 

Posting Closing Date: 12/09/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.***
 

CONTACT:

Prithvi Karki, 321-697-1443

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:

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.  Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

Incumbent must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.

Occasional travel may be required.

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

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:

The incumbent serves as a laboratory professional responsible for testing activities in the Virology Section.  These responsibilities require considerable competence, technical judgment, and a high level of independence in performing various analytical techniques.

As a Biological Scientist I, the incumbent is responsible for performing various tests performed in the virology section such as Virus neutralization tests on serum samples, Direct fluorescent antibody tests on fresh tissue samples; Rabies-Direct Fluorescent antibody testing; Indirect fluorescent antibody tests for viruses and bacteria, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) and Real-time quantitative PCR [Polymerase chain reaction] (RT- qPCR).

Responsible for maintenance of cell lines used in virus isolation and virology tests.  Performs isolation and identification of viruses by processing clinical samples and samples received from the necropsy.  Responsible for the preparation of laboratory worksheets indicating the procedures performed.  Prepares and maintains accurate, detailed laboratory records of results; performs case coordination of the test results in a timely manner via Laboratory information management system (LIMS).

Responsible for the preparation of reagents, stains, and solutions used in the various viral diagnostic procedures.  Responsible for maintaining the stock virus and cell cultures used in the Virology Section and performs quality control on the cell lines and viruses used in the section following the established procedures.

Responsible for maintaining the QA/QC records of the equipment and following up on the calibration or preventative maintenance in a timely manner with minimum supervision. Assists supervisor and senior biological scientist with the development of new SOPs and revision of current SOPs.  Responsible for maintaining the Levey-Jennings chart for the quantitative tests performed by the incumbent.  Assists the section head in maintaining the QA/QC documents in Q-Pulse.  Participates in the validation process of the new tests.  Successfully completes the proficiency check tests as required for the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), and International Veterinary Proficiency Testing Centre (IVPTC). The incumbent determines the supplies that are necessary for full laboratory function and coordinates with the supervisor for ordering the supplies.

Responsible for general upkeep and orderliness of workstations of the Virology Section.  Responsible for the disposal of all contaminated laboratory ware and used viral cultures to assure that the methods of disposal of such contaminated materials are in accordance with standard laboratory safety procedures.

Incumbent is expected to cross train in other sections in the Microbiology Department and other laboratory departments as required.  Incumbent is also responsible for examining and evaluating new procedures and training new personnel. 

Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Proficient in liquid handling using micropipettes and serological pipettes
• Ability to perform calculations for unit conversions and dilutions
• Ability to work in a class 2 Biological safety cabinet
• Proficient in aseptic techniques
• Ability to demonstrate and understand technical instructions
• Proficient in handling and maintaining various kinds of microscopes used in the section (light microscope, inverted microscope, fluorescent microscope).
  
  

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.