BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005755

Requisition No: 886576 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005755

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005755 

Salary:  $58,000.02 - $66,000.22 

Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Dr. Natalie Stilwell
321-697-1446

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor’s degree (4 years) 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 (6 years) from an accredited college or university as described above and one (1) year of related professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate (8 years) 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.

Requires possession of a valid 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 respirator fit testing, and must wear respirator when required. Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

Rabies vaccination is required for this position, including periodic titer measurement.

Occasional travel required.

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:

Assist supervisors by ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Serves as a laboratory professional within the Aquatic Diagnostic Section at the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL). Main responsibilities include molecular testing and troubleshooting of specimens submitted to the Aquatic Diagnostic Section; perform analyses before releasing the results. These testing responsibilities require considerable competence, technical judgment, 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.

Maintains close and daily communication with Aquatic Section Head, since molecular workflow 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. A majority of the duties will be performed in a bio-safety level 2 (BSL2) containment facility, and if necessary, in a bio-safety level 3 (BSL3) containment facility. Responsible for processing and testing of wide variety of samples received from aquatic animals, including fish, shellfish, amphibians, reptiles, and marine mammals; performs data collection and analysis of test results; data entry in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and discuss test result(s) with the Section Head before releasing to the clients, sample submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive results.

Develops and revises diagnostic assays and protocols as needed in the Aquatic Diagnostic Section. Responsible for handling special assigned projects which could be related to Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), or United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).

Assists supervisor with development and validation of molecular assays, revising protocols as needed, and drafting new SOPs for new tests and projects in the Aquatic Diagnostic Section.

Responsible for taking proficiency and competency tests periodically; setting up controls to validate the efficacy of the tests; continues checking inventory and stocking 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).

Provides training for the Aquatic 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.

Responsible for maintenance and operation of the lab with the highest quality of standards so that it complies with and can pass a rigorous inspection at any time as part of yearly audits. 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.

Responsible for assuring the proper working conditions of equipment including preventative maintenance in compliance with Quality Assurance guidelines.

Performs other related duties as required based on bureau needs.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Proficiency in liquid handling using micro-pipettors in low light conditions as reagents are light sensitive.
• Ability to perform calculations for unit conversations and dilutions.
• Ability to receive, and demonstrate understanding of, technical instruction.
  
  

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.