BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 42000873

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

4d • $46,205 - $55,446 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a Biological Scientist II position within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, Bureau of Laboratories. The role involves conducting standard bacteriological/molecular examinations of food using laboratory methods, verifying analytical results, and ensuring quality assurance under ISO 17025. The position also requires maintaining inventories, ensuring the proper working of the laboratory section, and staying current with analytical procedures and technology. Occasional travel is required.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in general biology, biochemistry, microbiology or cellular and molecular biology and one (1) year of related professional experience; or A master’s degree from an accredited college or university as described above.
• 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.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques used in biological research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment.
• Ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data relating to the biological sciences.
• Ability to conduct biological analyses using scientific methods and techniques.
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to keep accurate research records.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the biological sciences.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and quality control/quality assurance guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Ability to perform calculations.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing) in a networked environment.

Nice To Haves

• Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.

Responsibilities

• Working independently, using standard operating procedures, conducts standard bacteriological/molecular examinations of food using laboratory methods in a timely manner.
• Verifies the analytical results generated.
• Works with supervisor, staff and laboratory quality manager to ensure quality assurance and ultimately, improvement, as required under ISO 17025.
• Ensures inventories (equipment and chemical/reagent) are current and complete.
• Ensures proper working of section, including equipment maintenance, maintaining supplies (including reagents and chemicals), ensuring laboratory and work areas are clean and orderly, etc.
• Maintains personal expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance and improvement through self-motivation.
• Complies with state and department policies and procedures for analysis of foods.
• Maintains applicable certifications to perform duties.
• Recommends new or modified analytical procedures to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of laboratory analyses.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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: Mid Level