CHEMIST III - 42005743

Requisition No: 838604 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CHEMIST III - 42005743

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005743 

Salary:  $53,000.22 

Posting Closing Date: 12/01/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CHEMIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Zachary Tower, (850) 617-7818

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and two (2) years of professional chemical or biochemical experience; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and one (1) year of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry. 

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:

Occasional travel required.

NOTES:

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

Flextime schedule.

JOB DUTIES:

General:   The duties and responsibilities for this position are directly related to the agency mission regarding the number of official samples analyzed and analytical tests conducted under F.S. Chapter 487, 576, 580, and 581.  This position supports sample analysis within the Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories.  The responsibilities include performing cannabinoid, heavy metals, pesticide and other chemical analyses on feed, hemp plant and other agricultural related/environmental samples using a variety of analytical instruments and techniques. Responsibilities also include the preparation of samples for analysis using a variety of sample preparation techniques and the maintenance of analytical instruments and their components for proper performance.     

Provides support to the State Hemp Program.  Performs a variety of quantitative and/or qualitative analyses of feed, hemp plant and other agricultural related/environmental samples utilizing various instrumental techniques (GC, LC, GC/MS, LC/MS and ICP/MS). Maintains analytical instruments and their components for proper performance by following appropriate quality assurance/quality control procedures and performing preventive maintenance and/or corrective actions as necessary.  Interprets, evaluates and calculates results from analytical data generated by various instrumental techniques.  Participates in method development, improvement and validation studies. Investigates, identifies and confirms the presence of contaminants, heavy metals, pesticides and unknown chemical compounds for investigative/environmental cases using advanced instrumental techniques: GC/MS, LC/MS, and ICP/MS. Prepares written laboratory reports as requested by supervisors.

Performs sample preparation on feed, hemp plant and other agricultural related/environmental samples utilizing various sample preparation techniques (e.g., SPE, QUECHERs, liquid-liquid, ultrasonication).

Assists the Bureau Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) and management in taking corrective actions to repair out-of-control sample preparation and analyses methods. Updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as new analytical techniques and chemical compounds are added to existing methods.  Responsible for following and implementing standard department safety procedures and protocols in the normal course of job duties.  Assists the QAO in writing and maintaining SOPs in support of ISO 17025 Accreditation. Also, in order to maintain technical proficiency, the employee will be required to periodically travel to seminars, workshops, and conferences. 

Performs related duties as assigned or required.

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.