OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - 42915067

State of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. The role involves specimen preparation for identification, research, and curation, assisting with data capture using microscopy, preparing samples for DNA extraction, and maintaining taxonomic collections. Occasional travel, including overnight stays and up to two weeks for emergency programs, is required.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences.
• Possession of a valid 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.
• Knowledge of digitization and high-resolution photography.
• Knowledge of current systematic practice and theory, specimen curation and preparation procedures.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures.
• Skill in using a compound microscope, including training others in its use.
• Skill to remove tissues from insects for DNA analysis.
• Ability to travel occasionally, including overnight trips.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs. and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing) in a networked environment.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal and written form.

Responsibilities

• Prepares specimens for identification, research, and curation.
• Assists with data capture using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images of adult and larval stages.
• Prepares larvae for dissecting and compound microscope observation, photographing, and data capture.
• Prepares samples from insects for Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) extraction and molecular identification.
• Ensures voucher materials are properly curated into the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.
• Assists in managing assigned areas and taxonomic collections to keep them clean, orderly and available for use.
• Keeps various records of activities, shipping and receiving loans of specimens, completing required reports in timely manner, assisting visitors to use collections, keeping specimen and document filing to acceptable level, physical maintenance of designated areas, taxonomic collections and resources.
• Periodic travel may be required to help facilitate activities associated with current section, bureau or division duties, including grant projects, farm bills and/or pest surveys, public outreach, and emergency programs.
• Performs other duties as required by management.

Benefits

• LinkedIn Learning training account
• Optional insurance coverage
• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

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