BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005749 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 862156 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005749 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005749 

Salary:  $59,000.24 - $60,000.20 

Posting Closing Date: 10/13/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III

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 two (2) years of related professional experience; or

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university as described above and one (1) year of related professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate 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.  Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

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.

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.

JOB DUTIES:

Incumbent serves as a laboratory professional  working in the Molecular Biology Section of Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL), with main 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)  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.

Responsible for processing and testing of wide variety of samples received 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; performs data collection and analysis of test results; data entry in LIMS and discuss with the Section Head of test result(s) before releasing to the clients.

Incumbent maintains close and daily communication with Molecular Biology Section Head, since molecular section follows stringent protocols for testing procedures as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and molecular tests are performed at multiple locations within the laboratory compound, including the main bio-safety level 2 (BSL2) laboratory and in the adjacent bio-safety level 3 (BSL3) building, to assure smooth workflow among team members. Most of the duties will be performed in BSL2 lab, and if necessary, in BSL3 containment facility.

The major technical procedures performed every day in molecular section include, a) receiving and verifying accession number of samples submitted to the section, b) pre-processing preparation and processing the samples for extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and/or ribonucleic acid (RNA) using various extraction and purification procedures, c)amplification of DNA/RNA for identification of pathogen’s genome sequence using probe-based q PCR/RT-qPCR, and/or conventional PCR followed by agarose gel electrophoresis, d) preparation of DNA/RNA library and setting up sequencing run for analysis of pathogen’s genomes, and e) digital photography/scanning of gel images and other test results to enter into LIMS.

Incumbent serves as a case coordinator for accessions/samples submitted to the section; orders correct tests, 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.

Responsible for taking proficiency and competency tests periodically; setting up controls to validate the efficacy of the tests; continues checking and stocking/re-stocking of the lab supplies; and importantly adherence to the highest quality standards of lab procedures as outlined by Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program of BADDL.

Maintains stringent quality assurance records, including tracking all activities in the section from sample arrival to analysis, purchasing of supplies, validation of new tests, and handling quality assurance paper works of all testing procedures as outlined by Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Assists the Section Head with developing and validation of assays, revising protocols as needed, and drafting SOP for special/new tests/projects in the sections or comparison studies with collaborative projects with other section(s).

Incumbent will be trained in National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) protocols and will be expected to understand, follow, and train employees outside of the Molecular Biology Section in those protocols without deviation.

Responsible for assuring the proper working conditions of thermocyclers, extraction robots, pipettes, scales, and other preventive maintenance or calibration of equipment in compliance with QA/QC program.

Responsible for taking direction from the Section Head and being able to implement daily work assignments, prioritizing work and ensuring assigned responsibilities are completed in a timely manner to meet the turnaround times of the tests.

Provides training for the Molecular Biology Section staff and cross training for staff of other sections. Assists team members or other section members in all aspects of lab procedures or new projects as needed.

Provides technical information and recommendations to laboratory clients, including personnel of other agencies, for results and issues that can be sensitive.

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 analysis and procedure records in an organized, easy to understand, and easy to access manner.  Standards also include laboratory organization, laboratory cleanliness, and maintenance of equipment function and calibration logs.

Incumbent is expected to contribute equally to the janitorial duties while working in the BSL3 building since no janitorial staff is allowed to enter the facility.  This includes washing floors, doing laundry, removing, and decontaminating garbage, and cleaning bathrooms and showers.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 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 20 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Proficiency in liquid handling using micropipettes in low light/dim conditions as molecular test reagents are light sensitive.

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.