Biological Scientist IV - 42005756 (For Internal Agency Employees Only)

Requisition No: 857999

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 42005756 (FOR INTERNAL AGENCY EMPLOYEES ONLY)

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005756

Salary: $80,000.18 - $85,000.24

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY

** *INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY --
ONLY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED***

CONTACT:

Dr. Sivakumar Periasamy, ...

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and three (3) years of related professional experience; or

A masters degree from an accredited college or university as described above and two (2) two years of related professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university as described above.

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

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: 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. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education. Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org)

Requires possession of a valid driver license.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• 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.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel required.

Incumbent must pass a pulmonary function test with medical evaluation, must undergo and pass regular respirator fit-testing, and must wear a respirator when required. Will be subject to the requirements of the proper use of appropriate respirator.

Incumbent must be very comfortable using a respirator and working under directional airflow conditions in a containment facility that has an interlocking door system and has shower out restrictions for egress.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Some alternate work hours required to accomplish duties and responsibilities.

JOB DUTIES:

The incumbent will serve as a Research and Development (R&D) coordinator to explore latest technologies for development of new diagnostic assay(s) for detection and demonstration of microbial agents causing infectious diseases in animals. The person will be responsible for development, validation, and deployment of rapid laboratory-based test or point-of-care (POC) tests. The incumbent will specifically focus on development and deployment of multiplex qPCR-based testing panels and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique for detection of infectious diseases of livestock, pet animals, poultry, and wild animals. All the tests validation efforts must be according to AAVLD/ISO 17025 validation standards.

With inputs from the Section Heads, the Department Heads and the Director, the incumbent will plan and execute the assay development projects, including specific resources needed, test panel design, milestones, and outcome metrics.

The incumbent will coordinate the effort on assay development with our staff and investigators in academia or corporate partners to develop new test panels that fill gaps in our current diagnostic capabilities to meet the needs of livestock, poultry, and wildlife industries in the state, and to address emergency during outbreak of animal diseases or zoonotic diseases of public health importance.

Incumbent serves as a laboratory professional for testing and troubleshooting activities in the Molecular Biology Section, including extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid/ribonucleic acid (DNA/RNA), identification of pathogen specified DNA/RNA sequences by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)/conventional PCR/genome sequencing, and perform data analysis and quality check before releasing the results. These responsibilities require competence, technical judgement, and a high degree of independence in performing molecular analytical test including PCR, qPCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and other molecular biological procedures, and as required, technique adjustments to modulate stringency of reactions.

Will take direction from the Co-Microbiology Department Head and Section Head of Molecular Section and being able to implement daily work assignments, along with section team members; the incumbent will maintain close communication with the Co-Microbiology Head and Molecular Section Head since Molecular Biology Section duties are performed at multiple locations within the laboratory compound, including the main laboratory (BSL2) and the BSL3 building, to assure smooth workflow.

Responsible for digital photography techniques for purposes of identification and documentation. Responsible for the preparation of the sequencing library and setting up the sequencing run for the NGS project.

The incumbent serves as case coordinator for accessions in the USA Laboratory Information Management System (USALIMS); orders test and enters test results into USALIMS so that reports can be generated and sent to the clients; ensures timely and accurate report of results are provided to submitters, program managers, and other applicable parties authorized to receive results.

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 and purchasing of supplies/reagents.

Assists the Co-Microbiology Department Head and the Molecular Section Head with developing and updating the SOP for test protocols in the Molecular Biology Section, including assay validation and comparison studies.

Incumbent will be issued National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) protocols and will be expected to understand, follow, and train employees outside of the Molecular Biology Section in those protocols without deviation.

Responsible for assuring the thermocyclers, extraction robots, pipettes, scales, and other preventive and maintenance required equipment are calibrated and maintained in compliance with Quality Assurance guidelines.

Provides training for the staff of Molecular Biology Section or cross-training for staff of other Section(s). Assists co-worker(s) with the testing procedures within the section and other sections whenever needed.

As part of yearly audits, responsible for maintaining a laboratory standard that results in a pass after a rigorous inspection at any time. These standards include adhering to SOP, following quality assurance program, and maintaining records in an organized, easy to understand, and easy to access manner. Standards also include laboratory organization, laboratory cleanliness, and maintenance of equipment function and calibration logs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated expertise and/or a published record of accomplishments in molecular biology techniques (including PCR, qPCR and genome sequencing), assay development, or similar work experience.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work collaboratively with others, and to coordinate R&D effort under limited supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Proficiency in liquid handling using micropipettes 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.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The States total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• 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 (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com ;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the Total Compensation Estimator Tool located above under the Posting Closing Date.

SPECIAL NOTES:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (...). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.