BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 42005755 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

State of Florida • Kissimmee, FL

8d • $58,000 - $62,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This is an internal agency opportunity for current employees of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The position serves as a laboratory professional within the Aquaculture Section, responsible for testing and troubleshooting specimens. 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. The role involves a broad range of testing procedures for disease diagnosis in aquatic organisms, including tissue dissections, microscopy, microbiologic tests, water quality analysis, and molecular diagnostic tests. The position also handles special assigned projects, maintains communication on test status, coordinates accessions in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and ensures timely and accurate reporting of results. Additionally, the role assists with developing assays, revising protocols, standardizing methods, and maintaining stringent quality assurance records to meet AAVLD standards.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years) 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 (6 years) from an accredited college or university as described above and one (1) year of related professional experience as described above; or A doctorate (8 years) from an accredited college or university as described above.
• Requires possession of a valid driver license.
• Must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation.
• Must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required.
• Rabies vaccination is required for this position, including periodic titer measurement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Proficiency in liquid handling using micropipetters in low light conditions as reagents are light sensitive
• Ability to perform calculations for unit conversions and dilutions
• Ability to receive, and demonstrate understanding of, technical instruction

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assists supervisors by ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.
• Serves as a laboratory professional within the Aquaculture Section. Responsible for the testing and troubleshooting of specimens submitted to the Aquaculture Section; performs analyses before releasing the results.
• Performs tissue dissections, light microscopy, microbiologic tests (including bacterial and fungal cultures), water quality analysis of environmental water samples, and molecular diagnostic tests (including extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid (DNA/RNA), conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and quantitative PCR (qPCR)).
• Assists the aquatic pathologist with aquatic animal necropsies.
• Responsible for handling special assigned projects which could be related to Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) or National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).
• Maintains close communication on test status and results with supervisor to assure smooth workflow in the Section.
• Case coordinates accessions in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); orders tests and enters test results into LIMS so that reports can be generated and sent to the clients.
• Ensures timely and accurate reports of results are provided to submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive results.
• Provides technical information and recommendations to laboratory clients, including personnel of other agencies, for results and issues that can be sensitive in nature.
• Assists supervisor with developing assays and revising protocols as needed in the Aquaculture Section. Steps will include assay validation and comparison studies.
• Assists co-worker(s) with standardizing the method for new projects.
• 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 Aquaculture Section Head.
• Responsible for maintaining all quality assurance documents necessary for the Aquaculture Section to follow American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) standards, including training records, standard operating procedures, forms, management reviews, and audits.
• Maintains a laboratory that can pass a rigorous inspection.
• Responsible for assuring the preventive and maintenance required equipment are calibrated and maintained in compliance with Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as required based on bureau needs.

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