BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR III - SES - 42001348

State of Florida • La Crosse, FL

10d • $60,000 - $66,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional position responsible for the management of laboratory and greenhouse testing programs for graft-transmissible pathogens of citrus. Administers a program that controls the introduction, clean-up and release of all native and exotic citrus germplasm in Florida. Supervises staff at the La Crosse Citrus Repository for external and internal germplasm testing and clean-up. Oversees the lab procedures and diagnostics at the Winter Haven facility for in-state germplasm. Responsible for the timely clean-up by shoot-tip grafting and subsequent testing of all new introductions so customers receive a fully tested clean product back within a reasonable period of time. Coordinates specialized technical procedures, such as nucleic acid extractions, electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reactions to determine plant virus/viroid content and/or identity. Individual pathogens tested for include, but are not limited to, cachexia viroid, exocortis viroid, psorosis virus complex, and tatterleaf virus; pathogens are tested for in over 10,000 source trees. Directs field and greenhouse biological indexing procedures for graft-transmissible pathogens. Supervises and performs shoot-tip grafting and other tissue culture and thermotherapy techniques as necessary. Analyzes test result data and methodology to make accurate judgments on strain severity and identifies unknown citrus pathogens.
Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs and grants in an efficient and accountable manner and ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures. Secures grants for purchasing equipment. Communicates and participates with NCPN (National Clean Plant Network Center) members to acquire grant funding and work on special projects as needed.
Identifies gaps and identifies knowledge and skill gaps. Trains, coaches, and counsels staff. Reviews work standards, timesheets and performance of subordinates. Oversees the requisition and purchasing of necessary supplies to keep the laboratory and greenhouses operational.
Communicates by telephone, written correspondence and personally with growers and nurserymen concerning citrus diseases and test results. Keeps all graft-transmissible pathogen tests in a database format so current test results can be immediately utilized on the network. Makes quarterly reports of testing for internal and external customers. Advises growers and nurserymen of bureau policies and procedures. Conducts division training in graft-transmissible pathogen areas and makes presentations to nurserymen, growers and other industry leaders on all budwood program areas. Writes professional manuscripts on citrus germplasm and pathogens.
Works with United States Department of Agriculture and Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences researchers on cooperative research projects. Oversees the development of new or improved pathogen detection methods and implements new laboratory procedures and technology in the bureau’s labs. Develops policy changes for new indexing advances. Prepares reports of research findings.
Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in one of the biological sciences and six (6) years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or
• A master’s degree from an accredited college of university with a major course of study in one of the biological sciences and five (5) years of professional experience as described above; or
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and three (3) years of professional experience 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 Class E driver license.
• 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.
• 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.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of citrus pathogens and vectors.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures and equipment.
• Knowledge of greenhouse operations
• Ability to use computer databases.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain all applicable rules, and procedures.
• Ability to assign work priorities and keep program and staff functioning at a high level of efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Management of laboratory and greenhouse testing programs for graft-transmissible pathogens of citrus.
• Administers a program that controls the introduction, clean-up and release of all native and exotic citrus germplasm in Florida.
• Supervises staff at the La Crosse Citrus Repository for external and internal germplasm testing and clean-up.
• Oversees the lab procedures and diagnostics at the Winter Haven facility for in-state germplasm.
• Responsible for the timely clean-up by shoot-tip grafting and subsequent testing of all new introductions.
• Coordinates specialized technical procedures, such as nucleic acid extractions, electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reactions.
• Directs field and greenhouse biological indexing procedures for graft-transmissible pathogens.
• Supervises and performs shoot-tip grafting and other tissue culture and thermotherapy techniques.
• Analyzes test result data and methodology to make accurate judgments on strain severity and identifies unknown citrus pathogens.
• Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources of any assigned programs and grants.
• Secures grants for purchasing equipment.
• Communicates and participates with NCPN members to acquire grant funding and work on special projects.
• Identifies knowledge and skill gaps.
• Trains, coaches, and counsels staff.
• Reviews work standards, timesheets and performance of subordinates.
• Oversees the requisition and purchasing of necessary supplies to keep the laboratory and greenhouses operational.
• Communicates with growers and nurserymen concerning citrus diseases and test results.
• Keeps all graft-transmissible pathogen tests in a database format.
• Makes quarterly reports of testing for internal and external customers.
• Advises growers and nurserymen of bureau policies and procedures.
• Conducts division training in graft-transmissible pathogen areas and makes presentations.
• Writes professional manuscripts on citrus germplasm and pathogens.
• Works with United States Department of Agriculture and Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences researchers on cooperative research projects.
• Oversees the development of new or improved pathogen detection methods and implements new laboratory procedures and technology.
• Develops policy changes for new indexing advances.
• Prepares reports of research findings.
• Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.

Benefits

• 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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior