BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42001995

Requisition No: 841517 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42001995

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001995 

Salary:  $44,000.06 - $48,400.30 

Posting Closing Date: 11/27/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
 

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY ***
 

CONTACT:
 

Dr. Kin-Kwan Lai, Phone: (386) 853-6452
 

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.
 

Requires possession of a valid Class E 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:
 

Occasional travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for molecular diagnostics of citrus pathogens; with emphasis on material imported (out-of-state and foreign) for the Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program.
 

Performs molecular protocols for the identification of citrus pathogens using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Real Time/Quantitative PCR (qPCR), and Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Maintains laboratory notebooks, updates database, prepares appropriate reports.
 

Performs molecular protocols for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) projects and assists with analysis of generated sequence data.
 

General laboratory maintenance includes daily routine equipment calibration and maintenance according to established protocols, maintaining an inventory of laboratory supplies, maintaining ample supply of prepared media and buffers, assisting with washing dishes and keeping the laboratory clean and uncluttered.
 

Assists with nucleic acid isolation and quantification from plant tissue for analysis using PCR, qPCR, RT-qPCR, sequencing, and other similar diagnostic techniques.
 

Provides technical assistance in ongoing projects: including assisting in the design, validation, and adaptation of molecular techniques and molecular diagnostics for pathogens and for citrus genotyping.
 

Performs other related duties as directed by supervisor, administrator, or Division leadership.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Knowledge of basic concepts of the physical and natural sciences.
• Knowledge and experience with RT-qPCR.
• Knowledge of NGS.
• Knowledge of procedures, equipment and material used in citrus virus/viroid indexing.
• Knowledge of analytical methods and mathematics, and ability to perform calculations.
• Knowledge of computer database and word processing operation.
• Skill in use of laboratory equipment and materials.
• Ability to collect, record, and analyze data.
• Ability to understand and follow technical instructions relating to the laboratory.
• Ability to work independently.
   

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.