CHEMIST III - 42005712

Requisition No: 884763

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CHEMIST III - 42005712

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005712

Salary: $49,244.78 - $59,093.58

Posting Closing Date: 10/16/2026

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CHEMIST III

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY
BUREAU OF LABORATORIES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Ronald Francisco
Ronald.Francisco@FDACS.gov
850-617-7506

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and two (2) years of professional chemical or biochemical experience; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry and one (1) year of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in chemistry or biochemistry.

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)

***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.

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.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

Independently performs complex analytical work, developing analytical methods in support of the state regulatory testing program or grant requirements. Supports activities related to refining and improving existing analytical methods to enhance laboratory efficiency, sensitivity, and reliability, as needed. Assists in evaluating new technologies, instruments, and techniques that may improve laboratory capabilities or support emerging regulatory needs. Supports the Environmental Manager by helping maintain a clean, safe, and efficient laboratory environment and assisting with the inventory and organization of supplies, reagents, and chemicals used within the section. Provides input to support smooth laboratory operations, including coordinating equipment maintenance needs, maintaining adequate supplies, and ensuring that laboratory work areas remain clean, organized, and compliant with safety practices.

Provides training to analysts on new laboratory methods and new instrumental techniques. This role offers ongoing technical guidance, clarifies analytical processes, and answers questions that arise within the laboratory environment to ensure accurate, consistent, and efficient analytical practices. Assists with routine testing for the state regulatory or grant programs, as needed.

Collaborates with Laboratory Staff and the Laboratory Quality Manager to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Ensures the accuracy, reliability, and technical integrity of the laboratory’s analytical data by evaluating internal and external QA performance, reviewing control charts, initiating corrective actions when necessary, checking report calculations, verifying standard checking procedures, and ensuring that analytical standards are current and properly maintained.

Maintains regular communication with colleagues, both individually and during staff meetings, to support effective information sharing and a collaborative laboratory environment. Contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of work by providing technical insight, sharing updates, and promoting teamwork within the section. Supports the Environmental Manager by assisting with operational improvements, encouraging cross-section collaboration, and coordinating effectively with administrators, supervisors, and staff from other section.

Maintains personal expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance and improvement, and management through self-motivation. Complies with state and department policies and procedures for analysis of foods.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the terminology, concepts, principles and techniques of chemical research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of experimental design and method development procedures.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of quality assurance concepts, techniques, and processes.
• Skills in the use of various scientific instrumentation technologies, discernment of factors influencing analytical variations, application of techniques of analytical chemistry, and appropriate interpretation and communication of chemical concepts and generated data.
• Ability to understand and apply acquired knowledge of the principles of chemistry, perform chemical analyses using appropriate scientific methodology, exercise independent judgment and perform chemical analyses.
• Ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data relating to chemistry.
• Ability to conduct chemical analyses using scientific methods and techniques.
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to think critically.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to keep accurate research records.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the chemical sciences.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and quality control/quality assurance guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Ability to perform calculations.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing).
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• 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;
• And more!

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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee