LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42005033 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 854633 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42005033 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005033 

Salary:  $45,000.00 - $46,200.00 

Posting Closing Date: 06/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

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:

Kailyn Garcia, (321) 697-1456

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in laboratory work.

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours for the required experience provided such education includes three courses in the physical and/or natural 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.

If using a college or vocational/technical training to substitute for the required years of experience, a TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION via PEOPLE FIRST OR US MAIL TO: CONTACT NAME (see above address) AND MUST BE POST MARKED BY CLOSING DATE OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

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 wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.

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

Occasional travel required.  

Workdays are Monday through Friday. Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES:

Incumbent is responsible for serology tests conducted in the serology section.  These responsibilities require considerable competence, technical judgement, and a level of independence for implementation of serological techniques used in testing for antibodies or antigens to determine exposure and/or infection with an agent, whether it is viral, bacterial, a parasite or other.  This responsibility encompasses a broad range of procedures including the preparation of reagents, dilutions etc.

Performs various serological test methods including Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID), Serum Agglutination, Microscopic Agglutination, and new methods that may be implemented. Performs regulatory, surveillance, and diagnostic serology program testing including Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), Brucellosis, Pseudorabies, Johne’s, West Nile Virus (WNV), and other serology testing as required. Performs other Microbiology Department tests as assigned. Performs all tests and procedures according to approved laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance Standards.  Incumbent is responsible for setting up controls to validate the efficacy of the tests and perform validations for new test kit lots. Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain certification for performing serology tests through periodic proficiency testing provided by outside parties. Follows standard methods and procedures for disposal of biological and chemical hazardous waste.  Receives, inspects, and logs in samples and shipments.  Maintains appropriate testing worksheets and document flow to accompany samples.  Utilizes Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for information retrieval, result reporting, and monitoring test performance.  Utilizes computer software as required for quality assurance purposes and sample analysis.  Prepares send out samples for shipment, tracks and reports results from reference laboratories.  Assists supervisor and Biological Scientists with review of Serology Standard Operating Procedures, forms, and other documents related to Laboratory Quality Assurance.  Obtains cross-training in other Microbiology sections and the Shipping and Receiving section as assigned. Participates in after-hours, weekend, holiday, and emergency management call-out schedules, rotations, and assignments as needed.  Interacts with and treats co-workers professionally with courtesy and respect.

Participates in the care and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment. Maintains supplies of test kits, reagents, and other materials and informs supervisor and Biological Scientists to generate purchase requests well before stock is depleted.  Maintains records and files.  Opens packages, and then processes incoming samples by inspecting, sorting, labeling, centrifuging, racking, and plating.  Prepares media, stains, solutions, dilutions, titrations, and test reagents.  Maintains a clean, neat, and orderly workstation and work area.  Provides courteous, friendly, and knowledgeable customer service and requested laboratory information to clients, veterinarians, clinic staff, interagency personnel, and various other callers or visitors.  When assigned, answers incoming telephone calls, accepts samples and shipments, routes calls, samples, materials, or visitors to appropriate destination in a courteous and professional manner.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• 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:

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.