Job Description
CONTACT: Dr. Claudia Paez, Phone (352) 395-4714 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and one (1) year of related professional experience; or A master’s degree (6 years) 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. Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license. 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) 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, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time on an emergency program, is required. NOTES: To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position. JOB DUTIES: GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for performing a variety of biological tasks related to diagnosis of fungal and oomycete diseases in plants, as well as identifying abiotic plant disorders. Assists with routine diagnostic activities, including the isolation of fungal and oomycete plant pathogens, execution of molecular protocols for pathogen identification such as DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and Sanger sequencing, as well as provide support for ongoing experiments. Maintains DNA samples and keeps DNA database accurate, organized and up to date. Responsibilities include accurately cataloging submitted samples, preparing culture media and reporting diagnostic results to other specialists for verification when necessary. Receives and processes plant and soil samples submitted to the Plant Pathology Section. Lead investigations of unknown fungal and oomycete plant diseases in the absence of the supervisor and assist with literature research. Provide support during on-site visits to assess urgent plant health issues when necessary. Assists in conducting serological and molecular tests to support and confirm morphology-based identification methods. Serve as a member of the department’s multidisciplinary molecular team, which supports Botany, Entomology, Nematology, and Plant Pathology programs by providing assistance in the molecular identification of other organisms. Contributes to the development of periodic circulars, fact sheets, and peer-reviewed manuscripts as a sole, lead, or collaborating author on economically important or commonly encountered plant diseases and related topics. Assists in daily operations of the plant pathology laboratory and place supply orders as needed. Performs other related work as required by management. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of common plant diseases and their management. Knowledge of laboratory techniques for the isolation, identification, purification, and storage of fungal and oomycete pathogens. Knowledge of molecular diagnostic methods, including DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, Koch’s postulates, microscopy, and other plant pathogen detection tools. Skill working with plant pathogenic microorganisms. Skill in the accurate use of pipettes of various styles and volume ranges. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Ability to operate scientific laboratory and specialized equipment, including field instruments, autoclaves, microscopes, and molecular diagnostic platforms. Skill in conducting literature research and preparing scientific documents. Skill with personal computers, and word‑processing software. Skill in record keeping, sample tracking, laboratory organization, and adherence to general laboratory safety practices. Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks effectively. Ability to understand and follow technical instructions and standard operating procedures. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and the public. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing. The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s 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: 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 (1-866-663-4735). 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.