State of Florida
Location
Kissimmee, FL | United States
Job description
Requisition No: 823836
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005749
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 42005749
Salary: $40,351.04 - $50,500.06
Posting Closing Date: 03/13/2024
Total Compensation Estimator
BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY
***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
CONTACT:
Dr. Lijuan Zhou, (321) 697-1446
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A bachelor’s 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 master’s 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.
Requires possession of a valid driver license.
***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
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 be very comfortable using a respirator and working under directional airflow conditions in a containment facility that has an interlocking door system and has “shower out” restrictions for egress.
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.
Some alternate work hours are required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.
NOTES:
Workdays are Monday through Friday, or Tuesday through Saturday with rotation of two Saturdays each month.
JOB DUTIES:
Incumbent serves as a laboratory professional for testing and troubleshooting activities in the Molecular Biology Section and is responsible for the performance of molecular section tests and proficiency of results ensuring proper procedures are followed. These responsibilities require competence, technical judgement, and a high degree of independence in performing molecular analytical techniques used in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), other molecular biological procedures, and as required, technique adjustments to modulate stringency of reactions. Incumbent maintains close communication with supervisor since Molecular Biology Section duties are performed at multiple locations within the laboratory compound, including the main laboratory and the BSL3 building, to assure smooth workflow with co-workers and the supervisor.
Responsible for the testing of specimens submitted to the Molecular Biology Section; performs analyses before releasing the results. 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 Molecular testing procedures for diagnosis of the diseases in large animals, small animals, companion animals, avian, aquatic animals and mosquitoes. procedures including extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid (DNA/RNA), identification of pathogen specified DNA/RNA sequences by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), conventional PCR, or sequencing.
Responsible for the preparation of specimens for analysis by extraction of total DNA/RNA from clinical samples using various extraction and purification procedures.
Responsible for amplification of the genomic extract from samples using 1) probe-based detection systems through qPCR or reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR); 2) conventional PCR with combinations such as nested-PCR follow by agarose gel electrophoresis. Responsible for digital photography techniques for purposes of identification and documentation.
Responsible for the preparation of the sequencing library and setting up the sequencing run for the sequencing project.
Ensures timely and accurate report of results are provided to submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive results.
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.
Responsible for setting up controls to validate the efficacy of the tests; periodically performs checking tests to substantiate continued proficiency.
Maintains stringent quality assurance records, tracking all activities in the section including sample arrival and analysis, purchasing of supplies, validation of new tests, and handling quality assurance paperwork involved in controlling standard operating procedures (SOPs) by assisting the Molecular Biology Section Head.
Assists section supervisor with developing the SOP for special/new projects in the Molecular Biology Section, including assay validation and comparison studies. Assists co-worker(s) with standardizing the method for new projects.
Incumbent will be issued National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) protocols and will be expected to understand, follow, and train employees outside of the Molecular Biology Section in those protocols without deviation.
Responsible for assuring the thermocyclers, extraction robots, pipettes, scales, and other preventive and maintenance required equipment are calibrated and maintained in compliance with Quality Assurance guidelines.
Responsible for taking direction from supervisor and being able to implement daily work assignments, prioritizing work and ensuring assigned responsibilities are completed in a timely manner to meet the turnaround times of the tests.
Provides training for the Molecular Biology Section staff and cross training for staff of other sections.
Provides technical information and recommendations to laboratory clients, including personnel of other agencies, for results and issues that can be sensitive.
Assists supervisor with developing assays and revising protocols as needed in the Molecular Biology Section.
As part of yearly audits, responsibilities include maintaining a laboratory that can pass a rigorous inspection at all times. 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.
Incumbent is expected to contribute equally to the janitorial duties while working in the BSL3 building since no janitorial staff is allowed to enter the facility. This includes washing floors, doing laundry, removing, and decontaminating garbage, and cleaning bathrooms and showers.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
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:
For a complete list of benefits, visit .
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.
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