Requisition No: 828767 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42915062

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42915062 

Salary: $15.50 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 05/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES 

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY --
THIS IS A TEMPORARY FULL-TIME POSITION*** 

CONTACT: 

Katrina Dickens, Phone (352) 395-4749 

MINIMUM 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.

(Note: If education is being used to qualify for this position, you must provide a copy of your transcript (official or unofficial) as supporting documentation showing the required coursework.) 

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 may be required. 

JOB DUTIES: 

GENERAL STATEMENT:

This position assists in laboratory, greenhouse, and field work associated with research to develop and test a sticky-trap alternative for monitoring the tomato leaf miner (TLM), Phthorimaea (Tuta) absoluta. 

Laboratory Work: Perform daily maintenance of a colony of tomato pinworm, Keiferia lycopersicella, which will be used as a surrogate during trap testing since TLM is not established in the US. These duties include, but are not limited to, using established rearing protocols, watering host plants, adult moth collection, and cage cleaning. Design traps using computer software and 3D printers. Assist supervisor in conducting research. These duties include literature review and performing laboratory experiments testing rearing procedures, and trap prototypes. Maintain clean and sanitized laboratories, insect rearing areas, and various equipment. Correctly operate necessary laboratory equipment. 

Greenhouse Work: Perform routine maintenance of tomato plants including watering, pest control, plant propagation, and other assigned duties. 

Field Work: Assist with testing traps in field-cages and preliminary field tests around Florida. 

Prepare and maintain accurate written records of activities; enter collected data and other information into the appropriate location; prepare reports summarizing activities. 

Performs other tasks as assigned by the management. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures.
• Knowledge of basic principles in biology, entomology, horticulture.
• Skill in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to follow specific instructions and strict protocols, compile written reports.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift 45 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida 

Working for the State of Florida as an OPS employee is more than just a paycheck.  

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*);
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com;
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information visit Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan (Does not apply to previous FRS Retirees);
• Flexible Spending Accounts; For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per  week) refer to People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employeesSPECIAL 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 (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.