BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001704 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 858193 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001704 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001704 

Salary:  $42,230.50 

Posting Closing Date: 08/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

***INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY--
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED.***

CONTACT:

Holly Higgins, 850-617-7826

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.
 

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:

Attends seed workshops and classes related to preparation for taking the certification exams.

After a minimum of two years in the seed laboratory, takes exam to become a Certified Germination Analyst.

Occasional travel required.

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.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Flextime schedule.

JOB DUTIES:

The duties and responsibilities of this position are to perform routine and complex biological tests on seed samples submitted to the Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories under F.S. Chapter 578. The incumbent conducts a variety of biological analyses in support of the daily operations of the Seed Laboratory, including seed germination, purity analysis, and noxious weed seed analysis and preparation. Independently evaluates and interprets test results. Receives and processes incoming samples utilizing the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and performs sample preparation. The incumbent is expected to prepare to become certified in both germination and purity through testing provided by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA).

Initiates germination procedures by preparing germination substrata and planting seeds on correct substrata and in appropriate controlled environment chambers. Conducts complex germination analysis on all kinds of seed samples and independently interprets test results by evaluating and classifying seedlings into percent normal or abnormal categories, determining the percentage of hard, dormant and/or dead seed, and ultimately the percent germination of seed lots. Prepares and applies a variety of specialized chemical solutions to seed and seedlings and analyzes resulting data. Prepares reports on findings in preparation for quality assurance/quality control review and analysis validation.

Performs detailed purity analysis, much of which is performed under magnification, on all kinds of seed samples. Conducts noxious weed seed examinations on all kinds of seed, identifies all crop and weed seed found, makes independent interpretation of test results and performs purity research as directed. Inputs purity data into LIMS.

Blends and weighs seed samples for purity analysis in accordance with established AOSA procedures.

Prepares to ship illegal and Trueness-To-Variety (TTV) interstate commerce samples to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be handled under the Interstate Commerce clause of the Federal Seed Act. Files and disposes of seed samples following authorized procedures after an established retention period. Conducts calibration check of specific laboratory equipment. Maintains the controlled environment chambers and seed testing equipment for proper performance by following appropriate preventative maintenance and corrective action procedures. Follows laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and protocols. 

Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor. Maintains records of laboratory supplies and orders supplies on a routine basis. Attends applicable training courses in preparation for the AOSA germination and purity certification and maintains certification through annual continuing education requirements.

Assists as needed in the bureau's chemistry section during peak sampling periods.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of data collection and analysis principles.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments.
• Ability to problem solve.
  
  

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.