OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42915054

Requisition No: 885053

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42915054

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42915054

Salary: $15.50 Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 10/21/2026

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OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY -
THIS IS A FULL-TIME OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES (OPS) POSITION***

CONTACT:

Sam Bolton, Ph.D., Phone (352) 395-4679

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of laboratory, biological sciences or related field experience; or

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours each year 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, 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.
  
  

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

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.

Preference will be granted to applicants with work experience with a biological focus.

Benefits include optional insurance coverage.

JOB DUTIES:

General Statement: Position will assist Biological Scientists with duties that support the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry and the Florida State Collection of Arthropods.

Improves the collection of mites, which represents one of the best reference collections of agricultural mites in North America. This will involve learning about a megadiverse group of mites and gaining curatorial skills including labeling, imaging and databasing. This work may also lead to authorship on research papers pertaining to the collection (type catalogues, imaging projects, etc.).

Processes entomological samples and enters data into specimen or sample databases.

Assists with data acquisition for grant proposals and other renovation projects.

Prepares samples and specimens for identification via specimen sorting, slide mounting and labeling of taxa that require this preparation technique.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of plant-insect interaction.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently, compile written reports, and make innovations in equipment and techniques.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheets and databases, to include Microsoft Office Suite).
• Ability to lift and transport 25 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid temperature environments.
Ability to walk in natural and cultivated areas with uneven ground and in inclement weather.

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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).

• 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/myhealth/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
  

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.

Nearest Major Market: Gainesville