Laboratory Technician IV - 42001991

Requisition No: 827787

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42001991

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42001991

Salary: $37,000.08 - $40,700.14

Posting Closing Date: 05/06/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

• OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY*

CONTACT:

Dr. Manoj Pandey; phone# 352-395-4737, email: Manoj.Pandey@FDACS.gov

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

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

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours for each year of the required experience provided such education includes three (3) courses in the physical and/or natural sciences. (NOTE: If using college education to qualify, you must provide a copy of an official or unofficial transcript as supporting documentation showing the required coursework.)

A valid Class E 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:

This position may be required occasionally to vary daily schedule or work on weekends.

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

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This position assists in the development and support of rearing and releasing beneficial insects used in the biological control of invasive plants and insect pests in Florida.

Laboratory work: Assist with insect biological control agent mass rearing; collect and manipulate various insect life stages; record data; ship biological control agents; enter collected data and other information into the established database; collect, prepare, and sort samples; prepare and maintain accurate written records of activities.

Maintain clean and sanitized laboratories, insect rearing areas, and various equipment used to maintain insect colonies. Correctly operate necessary laboratory equipment.

Field work: Participate in field experimentation and production of host material used for rearing of biological control agents, including assisting with pest scouting, harvesting, and sanitation of host material; collect and compile field data.

Assist with the construction of new rearing cages and the repair or modification of existing ones.

Assist in the routine maintenance of greenhouses including pest control, watering, monitoring of temperatures and equipment, and other assigned duties.

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of agricultural practices, including plant maintenance and insect rearing techniques.

• Ability to work independently, conduct insect rearing experiments, and make innovations in equipment and techniques.

• Ability to make minor repairs to equipment.

• Ability to compose written reports.

• Ability to work for prolonged periods in hot, cold, and/or humid environments.

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.

• Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.

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.