LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42005336

Requisition No: 887249 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42005336

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005336 

Salary:  $41,000.18 - $49,200.06 

Posting Closing Date: 11/24/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY
BUREAU OF LABORATORIES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Huanwu Qi
(850)617-7531

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in laboratory work; or 

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 (1 year) semester, 45 quarter (1 year) or 720 (1 year) classroom hours for each year (4 years) of the required experience provided such education includes three courses in the physical and/or natural sciences. 

Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency. 

If using a college or vocational/technical training to substitute for the required years of experience, a TRANSCRIPT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION via PEOPLE FIRST OR US MAIL TO: CONTACT PERSON AND MUST BE POST MARKED BY CLOSING DATE OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

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 standard numerically based work sample administered with an established minimum required passing score to all eligible candidates in order to move to the next phase of consideration 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, 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 applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Selected applicants for positions within the Division of Food Safety are normally hired at the base salary.

JOB DUTIES:

Performs sample preparation, homogenization, extraction, partitioning and cleanup of samples submitted for analysis. Prepares samples for routine and non-routine chemical or microbiological analysis. Uses aseptic technique in handling samples for microbiological analysis. Accurately records and verifies sample information data in a wide variety of appropriate physical and electronic workbooks, logbooks and databases. Following laboratory procedures, takes and stores photographs of samples and sample packaging. Performs sample custody functions. Receives and examines samples submitted to the laboratory for analysis to determine program assignments and storage requirements.

Prepares laboratory media, reagents and solutions and records all reagent information in appropriate logbooks. Documents observed inadvertent deviations from procedures in appropriate procedural logbooks. Discards hazardous waste materials. Collects and secures hazardous waste in appropriate containers. Labels hazardous waste containers according to SOPs. Keeps logbooks up to date on hazardous materials. Transports hazardous waste materials to satellite storage site. Maintains orderly laboratory reagent and supply storage in area of responsibility. Rotates incoming media, chemicals, and supplies in order to utilize oldest stocks first. 

Maintains equipment used and records equipment information in appropriate logbooks. Maintains and evaluates lab critical temperature control systems. Cleans laboratory glassware per established procedures.  Ensures laboratory and work area are clean and orderly.

Under supervision, may perform a variety of physical tests and analyses of foods in a timely manner, usually non-instrumental; provides results to a supervisor for review.  Under supervision, may spike samples with appropriate QC spiking standards. Compiles and collates analytical batches in preparation for review by the technical program manager. Creates sample coversheets and daily schedules from the database.  Coordinates with lab managers to compile and archive lab data per customer requirements.

Works with supervisor, staff, and laboratory quality manager to ensure quality assurance and ultimately improvement, as required under International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 17025.  Maintains personal expertise in analytical procedures, quality assurance and improvement through self-motivation. Comply with state and department policies and procedures for analysis of foods. Performs other related duties as may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the terminology and principles of laboratory testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of arithmetic and laboratory mathematics.
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment.
• Skill in performing routine maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Skill in use of volumetric pipetting techniques.
• Ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to keep accurate research records.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the chemical sciences.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and quality control/quality assurance guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Ability to perform calculations.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing) in a networked environment.

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.