LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42003772

Requisition No: 875104 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42003772

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42003772 

Salary:  $40,000.22 - $44,000.32 

Posting Closing Date: 05/08/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Kin-Kwan Lai Ph.D., Phone (386) 853-6452

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 (1 year), 45 quarter (1 year) or 720 classroom hours (1 year) for each year of the required experience provided such education includes three (3) courses in the physical and/or natural sciences.  (NOTE:  If using college education to qualify, you must provide a copy of an official or unofficial transcript as supporting documentation showing the required coursework.)

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 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, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is 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:       
   

GENERAL STATEMENT: This position is assigned to laboratory work related to the molecular diagnostics of citrus pathogens, with emphasis on certification testing to support the citrus nursery industry. The incumbent assists with laboratory activities associated with the production and therapy of citrus plants for the Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program.

Performs plant tissue preparation, nucleic acid extraction, and quantification for molecular analysis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), real time qPCR, and Reverse Transcription real time PCR (RT-qPCR) for the molecular diagnostics of citrus diseases.

Assists with molecular protocols for the identification of citrus pathogens using PCR, real time qPCR, and RT-qPCR. Maintains laboratory notebooks, updates database, prepares appropriate reports.

Assists with general laboratory maintenance, including daily routine equipment calibration and maintenance according to established protocols, maintains an inventory of laboratory supplies, assists with washing dishes and keeping the laboratory clean and uncluttered.

Assists with shoot-tip grafting (STG) laboratory duties, including but not limited to, preparing laboratory media and buffers, following written protocols. Maintains a clean and organized workspace.

Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of basic concepts of the physical and natural sciences.
• Knowledge and experience with the polymerase chain reaction procedure (PCR). 
• Knowledge of laboratory instruments, glassware handling, and media preparation.
• Knowledge of general greenhouse and nursery procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of plant health with an emphasis on citrus.
• Knowledge of personal computer operations with a focus on Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks that are part of the continuous process of indexing.
• Ability to take initiative and 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:

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.