Research Scientist Supervisor - Ses - 42004077

Requisition No: 854991

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR - SES - 42004077

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42004077

Salary: $60,121.36 - $66,133.08

Posting Closing Date: 06/30/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR-SES

(CLASS TITLE: SOIL AND PLANT SCIENTIST IV-SUPERVISOR)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Jason Stanley, Phone: ...

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in agriculture, or one of the biological, physical, or natural sciences and one (1) year of related professional experience.

Requires possession of a valid Class E Driver License.

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, including overnight and up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is 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.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a highly professional position responsible for the research, development, and implementation of biological control experiments aimed at controlling exotic noxious weeds and invertebrate plant pests. Designs and supervises investigations into the population, migration, life history, natural enemies, host relations, chemical control, and other factors regarding invasive plants and plant pests established in Florida. The developmental nature of this work results in a wide variety of changing activities and requires a person with a diverse array of technical skills including, but not limited to, entomology, biology, chemistry, and statistics.

The incumbent spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates. In addition, the incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop accurate work plans, and timely approve attendance and leave for each subordinate. Incumbent has the authority to make recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate.

Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Research: Conceptualizes, designs, and investigates research into the population, migration, life history, natural enemies, host relations, and other environmental factors regarding exotic species established in Florida. Manages and conducts investigative research experiments in the laboratory and in the field. Maintains technical records and data for all observations and experimentation. Prepares technical papers and reports regarding research results. Records data from scientific observations, reviews literature, maintains detailed records of above activities and makes reports at scientific conferences and meetings. Researches, recommends, and writes grant proposals. Develops and conducts pilot studies as needed.

Biological Control: Develops, increases, and maintains biological control agents, plant pest host colonies, and host plants as needed in controlling plant pests, including dissemination to the field, collections of field data for statistical analysis and investigation of populations, migration, life cycles, natural enemies, behavior, and host relations. These investigations are carried out in the laboratory and in the field. Devises and implements strategies for the biological control of noxious weeds and insect pests. Works on methodology improvement technique development in all aspects of these programs. Advises Division leadership, bureau management, working groups, and task forces, using expert-level knowledge and research findings to make program recommendations and develop pest response guidelines.

Liaises with scientists in Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other agencies and institutions through direct contact, correspondence, and conference and meeting attendance and reviews pertinent literature for all areas of responsibility. Maintains expertise and professional standing in biological control methods development and work through communication and correspondence with other recognized expert scientists. Works effectively to foster good working relationships with other agencies.

Performs other related duties as management may require, including special reports, special assignments and travel, committee appointments, task force appointments, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of entomology and the terminology, principles, and techniques necessary for investigations and analysis of methods dealing with biological control of insects.
• Knowledge of biological control organisms and natural enemies, including life history, taxonomy, biology, and insect rearing techniques.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices, including plant maintenance and pest management.
• Knowledge of regulatory aspects of plant pests.
• Skill in managing resources including funding, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
• Skill in planning, designing, and conducting projects and analyzing and interpreting the results.
• Skill in preparation of scientific research reports and administrative documents and publishing results.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments, delegate tasks, and supervise employees.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to to conduct insect rearing experiments, analyze results of investigations, and make innovations in equipment and techniques.
• Ability to assess biological control efficacy and colony quality.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to work in extreme hot, cold, and humid environments, to include field work.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
  

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The States 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 (...). 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.