BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 42005986 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 884388 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 42005986 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005986 

Salary:  $55,000.14 - $59,000.24 

Posting Closing Date: 09/28/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II

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:

Dr. Lijuan Zhou 
321-697-1446

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. 

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) 

Requires possession of a valid driver license.

***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 required.

Incumbent must be very comfortable using a respirator and working under directional airflow conditions in a containment facility that has an interlocking door system and has "shower out" restrictions for egress.

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

Workdays are Monday through Friday, or Tuesday through Saturday with rotation of no more than two Saturdays each month.

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

JOB DUTIES:

Incumbent serves in the Molecular Biology Section of Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL) and provides high quality analysis on a variety of responsibilities including daily performance of molecular section tests for clinical samples received in the section, collection and entering of accurate test results in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and co-ordinate with the Section Head for timely reporting of test results to the clients. These responsibilities require competence, technical judgement, and a high degree of independence in performing molecular analytical tests such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and other molecular test procedures.

Incumbent responsible for processing and testing of wide variety of samples received from necropsy room or clinical samples received from large animals/food animals, small animals/pet animals, zoo animals, wild animals, avian species, environmental samples, mosquitoes etc.

Incumbent serves as a Case coordinator for accessions/samples submitted to the section; orders right test, performs test(s) and enters test results into LIMS so that accurate reports can be generated and reviewed before sending it to the clients. Ensures timely and accurate report(s) are available for Section Head to review and to release to the clients, sample submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive the results.

The incumbent enforces strict adherence to BADDL QA/QC programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and regulatory mandates to ensure compliance with AAVLD standards. The incumbent strictly follows National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) protocols for the USDA-regulated diagnostic tests without deviation after initial training. Responsibilities include performing periodic proficiency testing and maintaining will-organized, digitally accessible test records. Through meticulous documentation and rigorous quality control, the incumbent ensures all diagnostic procedures pass stringent QC requirement.

The incumbent fosters a collaborative environment by assisting team members with special projects and general laboratory procedures under the direction of Section Head's. Maximize laboratory efficiency by optimizing daily work assignments through teamwork.

The incumbent prepares in-house controls or reagents, performs quality control testing to verify batch performance, and aliquots approved reagents into precise working volumes. Responsible for labeling and storing these controls or reagents according to established protocols, ensuring baseline stability and consistent accuracy for all daily molecular assays.

As part of yearly audits, incumbent is responsible for maintenance and operation of lab with the highest quality of standards so that it complies with and can pass a rigorous inspection at any time. Standards include maintaining test procedures and result analysis records in an organized, easy to understand, and easily accessible digital format. Standards also include laboratory organization, laboratory cleanliness, and maintenance of equipment function and calibration logs.

The incumbent is responsible for the operational integrity and preventive maintenance of critical laboratory equipment, including thermocyclers and extraction robots, and maintains calibration logs in full compliance with quality programs to ensure testing accuracy.

The incumbent provides guidance and training to Molecular new employees on established procedures. rain new employees or cross section employees in Molecular tests.

Performs other related duties or holiday duties as assigned by supervisor or the Department Head

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Skill in liquid handling using micropipetters in low light conditions as reagents are light sensitive.
• Ability to perform calculations for unit conversions and dilutions.
• Ability to receive and demonstrate understanding of technical instruction.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.

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:

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.