OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42914312

State of Florida•Gainesville, FL

5d•Hybrid

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 position requires the employee to care for several organisms in a biological control rearing facility. This will include plant care such as watering, transplanting, trimming, scouting for pests, and transferring plants in and out of the rearing cages. There will also be duties involving insect care such as aspirating, sorting, and transferring insects from cages to vials. The employee will be expected to work in greenhouses under hot conditions and in the laboratory environment. The employee may also be asked to assist with insect shipments and responding to phone inquiries about the program.

Requirements

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in a laboratory, the biological sciences, or related field.
College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours for the required experience provided such education includes three courses in the physical and/or natural sciences.
Possession of a valid Driver License.
All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed.
Work history, hours worked, and formal education fields must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of plant-insect interaction.
Skill in nurseries working with plants or in laboratories working with insects.
Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
Ability to be task oriented and have time management skills.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to lift 35 pounds and bend repetitiously.
Ability to adapt to changes such as field operations, weather, schedule, etc.
Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.

Responsibilities

Care for several organisms in a biological control rearing facility.
Plant care including watering, transplanting, trimming, scouting for pests, and transferring plants in and out of rearing cages.
Insect care including aspirating, sorting, and transferring insects from cages to vials.
Work in greenhouses under hot conditions and in the laboratory environment.
Assist with insect shipments.
Respond to phone inquiries about the program.