CHEMIST SPECIALIST - 42005354 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Requisition No: 880755 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CHEMIST SPECIALIST - 42005354 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005354 

Salary:  $52,691.86 - $63,230.18 

Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CHEMIST SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY
BUREAU OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT

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

CONTACT:

Patrick Roche
(850) 617-7505

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree (4 years) 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 (6 years) from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and two (2) year of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate (8 years) 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:

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.

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

JOB DUTIES:

Serves as the senior analyst within the laboratory section, performing complex analytical work in support of the state regulatory testing program or grant requirements. Assists in overseeing instrumental operations, technical data review, and uses professional expertise to plan and coordinate daily instrument based analyses within the section. Conducts technical review of analytical work, ensures accuracy and completeness of data, and oversees maintenance and repair needs for assigned instruments, documenting service activities in the maintenance log. Supports the Environmental Manager with improving analytical methods as well as maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient laboratory environment as well as assist with maintains an inventory of supplies and chemicals used in the section.

Provides hands-on training to new analysts on laboratory methods, instrumental techniques, and established procedures. This role offers ongoing technical guidance, clarifies analytical processes, and answers questions that arise within the laboratory environment to ensure accurate, consistent, and efficient analytical practices. May also participate in method development activities within the laboratory, as needed.

Collaborates with Laboratory Staff and the Laboratory Quality Manager to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).  Ensures the accuracy, reliability, and technical integrity of the laboratory’s analytical data by evaluating internal and external QA performance, reviewing control charts, initiating corrective actions when necessary, checking report calculations, verifying standard checking procedures, and ensuring that analytical standards are current and properly maintained.

Maintains regular communication with colleagues, both individually and during staff meetings, to support effective information sharing and a collaborative laboratory environment. This role contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of work by providing technical insight, sharing updates, and promoting teamwork within the section. Supports the Environmental Manager by assisting with operational improvements, encouraging cross-section collaboration, and coordinating effectively with administrators, supervisors, and staff from other sections.

Maintains personal expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance and improvement, and management through self-motivation.  Complies with state and department policies and procedures for analysis of foods.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the terminology, concepts, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of quality assurance concepts, techniques, and processes.
• Skills in the use of various scientific instrumentation technologies, discernment of factors influencing analytical variations, application of techniques of analytical chemistry, and appropriate interpretation and communication of chemical concepts and generated data.
• Ability to understand and apply acquired knowledge of the principles of chemistry, perform chemical analyses using appropriate scientific methodology, exercise independent judgment and perform chemical analyses.
• Ability to plan and organize sample flow by efficient coordination of available personnel and utilization of instrumentation.
• Ability to think critically.
• Ability to train other scientists.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

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.