CHEMIST SPECIALIST - 42000424

Requisition No: 863440 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CHEMIST SPECIALIST - 42000424

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42000424 

Salary:  $55,000.14 

Posting Closing Date: 11/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CHEMIST SPECIALIST

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Lou Schneider, 850-617-7804

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and three (3) 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 two (2) years 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) 

Please Note: There will be a numerically based work sample administered with an established minimum required passing score to all eligible candidates as part of the hiring process for this position.

***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:

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 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. Chapters 487, 576, 578, 580.  Assists the Bureau Quality Assurance Officer (QAO)/Quality Manager in identifying, drafting, reviewing, tracking, maintaining and archiving the Quality Assurance (QA) policies and procedures and documentation needed to obtain and maintain The NELAC Institute (TNI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 Accreditation for the Bureau of Agricultural Environmental Laboratories (BAEL).  Acquires and maintains current knowledge of ISO 17025 accreditation requirements.  Provides QA ISO training to laboratory personnel.  Conducts internal performance audits of the bureau's quality system and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Responsible for conducting and maintaining the bureau's proficiency sample program.  Prepares internal proficiency samples for instrumental analysis according to SOPs.  Validates analyses in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Conducts QA performance audits of certified and exempt feed laboratories. Serves as the deputy Quality Assurance Officer.

Assists in Identifying, drafting, reviewing, tracking, maintaining and archiving the QA policies and procedures (including the bureau Quality Manual) and documentation needed to obtain and maintain TNI and ISO 17025 Accreditation for BAEL.  Works directly with the bureau's QAO to prepare the documentation and SOPs necessary to meet TNI and ISO 17025 requirements for the bureau's feed, seed, fertilizer and pesticide laboratory programs. Acquires and maintains knowledge of current ISO 17025 requirements.  Assist in maintaining the bureau’s document control system.   Conducts internal performance audits of the bureau's quality system and SOPs, prepares audit reports for the bureau and ensures procedures are up to date with current accreditation requirements. Maintains the bureau's proficiency sample program.  Reviews proficiency sample performance statistics for all applicable methods utilized for testing in the laboratories. Provides QA ISO technical training to laboratory QA staff, chemists, analysts, technicians and laboratory support staff. Prepares internal audit checklists and trains staff on conducting and documenting audit findings.

Prepares internal proficiency samples for analysis by calculating experimental concentrations and pipetting known amounts of analytical standards into sample matrices for instrumental analysis. Performs analytical chemistry evaluation of various types of laboratory data including gas chromatograms, liquid chromatograms, photo diode array spectrum and mass spectrum generated through analysis in the laboratories to ensure that proficiency sample results are accurate and meet QA requirements for data integrity.  In order to maintain technical proficiency, the employee will be required to periodically travel to seminars, workshops and conferences. Serves as the Deputy Quality Assurance Officer and serves as the acting QAO in the absence of the QAO.

Oversees the compilation, review and determinations of nutrient and mycotoxin analysis data submitted from certified laboratories for samples of commercial feed and feedstuffs offered for sale in the state in support of the Commercial Feed Law.  Reviews feed sample results generated to verify that they are in compliance with program requirements and assigns applicable laboratory management status. Validates analytical results in the LIMS.   Conducts QA performance audits of certified feed and exempt laboratories in accordance with Florida feed law.    

Performs other related duties assigned by supervisor.

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.