Biological Scientist III - 42005752

Requisition No: 853418

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005752

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005752

Salary: $58,000.00 - $60,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 06/06/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Dr. Natalie Stilwell, 321- 697-1400

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and two (2) years of related professional experience; or

A masters degree from an accredited college or university as described above and one (1) year of related professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university as described above.

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)

Requires possession of a valid driver license.

***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.

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required. Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

NOTES:

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES:

Assists supervisors by ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Serves as a laboratory professional within the Aquaculture Section. Responsible for the testing and troubleshooting of specimens submitted to the Aquaculture Section; performs analyses before releasing the results. Technical testing responsibilities requires considerable competence, technical judgment, and establishes, implements, monitors, improves processes while working independently with limited supervision. A majority of the duties will be performed in a bio-safety level 2 (BSL2) containment facility, and if necessary, in a bio-safety level 3 (BSL3) containment facility. This responsibility encompasses a broad range of testing procedures for diagnosis of the diseases in fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species. Develops and revises diagnostic assays of bacteriology and molecular biology protocols as needed in the Aquaculture Section. Responsible for handling special assigned projects which could be related to Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) or National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).

Maintains close communication on test status and results with supervisor to assure smooth workflow in the Section.

Case coordinates accessions in the USA Laboratory Information Management System (USALIMS); orders tests and enters test results into USALIMS so that reports can be generated and sent to the clients.

Ensures timely and accurate reports of results are provided to submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive results. Provides technical information and recommendations to laboratory clients, including personnel of other agencies, for results and issues that can be sensitive in nature.

Responsible for the performance of Aquaculture Section tests related to aquatic parasitology and proficiency of results ensuring proper procedures are followed. These responsibilities require competence, technical judgement, working independently with limited supervision in performing diagnostic techniques used in aquatic parasitology including necropsy, tissue dissection, and light microscopy.

Assists supervisor with developing assays and revising protocols as needed in the Aquaculture Section. Steps will include assay validation and comparison studies. Assists co-worker(s) with standardizing the method for new projects.

Responsible for setting up controls to validate the efficacy of the tests; periodically performs checking tests to substantiate continued proficiency. Proficient in using the light microscope and reading specimen slides.

Responsible for maintaining all quality assurance documents necessary for the Aquaculture Section to follow American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) standards, including training records, standard operating procedures, forms, management reviews, and audits. Maintains a laboratory that can pass a rigorous inspection. Standards include maintaining analysis and procedure records in an organized, easy to understand, and easy to access manner. Standards also include laboratory organization, laboratory cleanliness and maintenance of equipment function and calibration logs.

Performs other related duties as required.

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.

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.