BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42001226

State of Florida • Gainesville, FL

6d • $42,500 - $46,750 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a professional position responsible for the identification and curation of arthropods under the direction of a Biological Scientist IV-SES in support of the plant and plant pest regulatory activities of the Division of Plant Industry. The role involves curating reference collections, identifying arthropod specimens to the lowest possible taxonomic unit and curating them by phylogenetic position into the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. It also includes maintaining appropriate files and records for data retrieval, preparing specimens for loans to arthropod systematists, maintaining invoice files, and corresponding with these scientists. The position requires preparing arthropod specimens for identification, research purposes, and curation, using rearing techniques for laboratory cultures when needed, and conducting morphological studies and literature searches. Additionally, individuals will be assigned duties related to management functions of the section, which can include tasks such as collection's maintenance, inventories, management of labs, management of sectional database, and supply organization. Each individual in the section will have unique tasks assigned. The role also involves researching entomological and other libraries and scientific reprint collections to maintain and update all taxonomic files, records, and literature. It includes receiving, sorting, recording, and distributing specimens submitted by Plant Protection Specialists and others for identification. With appropriate training and supervisor approval, the position performs identifications and classifications of assigned taxa to genus and species, or to the lowest taxonomic unit possible, using morphological analysis and other scientific methods of identification, assisting with the identification of specimens submitted by Plant Protection Specialists and others. Periodic travel may be required to facilitate activities associated with current section, bureau, or division duties, including travel associated with grant projects, farm bills, and/or assisting with pest surveys, inspections, public outreach, and emergency programs. If travel is not possible, the individual will fulfill the duties of others while they are traveling. The position performs other related work as required by management.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• 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.
• Expert knowledge of current systematic practice and theory, specimen curation and preparation procedures, including making slides.
• Ability to use compound and dissecting microscopes.
• Ability to use computer hardware and software.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience in the area of Hemiptera.

Responsibilities

• Identifies arthropod specimens to lowest possible taxonomic unit and curates by phylogenetic position into the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.
• Keeps appropriate files and records for data retrieval.
• Prepares specimens for loans to arthropod systematists; maintains invoice files and corresponds with these scientists.
• Prepares arthropod specimens for identification, research purposes and curation.
• Uses rearing techniques for laboratory cultures when needed and conducts morphological studies and literature searches.
• Assigned duties related to management functions of the section, such as collection’s maintenance, inventories, management of labs, management of sectional database, supply organization, etc.
• Researches entomological and other libraries and scientific reprint collections to maintain and update all taxonomic files, records and literature.
• Receives, sorts, records and distributes specimens submitted by Plant Protection Specialists and others for identification.
• Performs identifications and classifications of assigned taxa to genus and species, or to the lowest taxonomic unit possible, using morphological analysis and other scientific methods of identification, assisting with identification of specimens submitted by Plant Protection Specialists and others.
• Periodic travel may be required to help facilitate activities associated with current section, bureau or division duties.
• Performs other related work as required by management.

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: Entry Level