OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42902793

Requisition No: 865330 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42902793

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42902793 

Salary:  $23.78/Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/17/2025 

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OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***

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. 

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.

***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.

The incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with a medical evaluation and pass regular respirator fit-testing. The incumbent is required to wear a respirator when necessary and will be subject to all requirements governing its proper use.

The incumbent must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes a lab coat, gloves, and a respiratory mask (if required by the task).

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.

Some alternate work hours are required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES:

Technical & Laboratory Operations: The incumbent will perform Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR), traditional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and sequencing. These duties will primarily be conducted in a Bio-Safety Level 2 (BSL2) containment facility and, when necessary, in a BSL3 facility. This responsibility encompasses a broad range of procedures, including:

• Extraction and purification of nucleic acids using various methods.
• Amplification of specified DNA/RNA sequences using PCR, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), or combinations like nested-PCR.
• Performing agarose/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis (when necessary) or preparing libraries for sequencing.
• Identifying PCR amplicons using various techniques when requested.
• Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to order tests, enter test results, and coordinate with the Section Head for timely reporting of test results to the clients through LIMS.

Quality Assurance and Data Management: The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the quality and validity of tests, which includes:

• Setting up controls to validate test efficacy.
• Periodically performing checking tests to substantiate continued proficiency.
• Maintaining stringent quality assurance records for all section activities, including sample analysis, supply purchasing, and handling quality assurance paperwork involved in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Assuring that laboratory instruments (PCR instruments, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, and similar items) are calibrated and maintained in compliance with Quality Assurance guidelines.

Communication and Workflow Management: The incumbent is expected to maintain close communication and coordination with supervisors and co-workers to ensure an efficient and smooth workflow and meet turnaround times.

• The incumbent will follow directions from the supervisor, implementing daily work assignments, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring assigned responsibilities are completed in a timely manner to meet test turnaround times.
• The incumbent is expected to cross-train in other sections of the Microbiology Department and other laboratory departments as needed, and communicate effectively within and across sections to maintain overall laboratory function.

General: Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of basic molecular tests (e.g. PCR, Real-time PCR).
• Knowledge of handling infectious substances.
• Ability to handle pipetting and perform calculations for reagent dilutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work in a BSL 3 lab.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida as an OPS employee is more than just a paycheck. 

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*);
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com;

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);

• Flexible Spending Accounts; For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per

 week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/myhealth/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees 

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.