Laboratory Technician IV - 42000262

Requisition No: 871048 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42000262

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42000262 

Salary:  $40,000.22 - $44,000.32 

Posting Closing Date: 03/06/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Nooshin Zandi Sohani, Phone (352) 395-4727

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in laboratory work. 

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester (1 year), 45 quarter (1 year) or 720 classroom hours (1 year) for each year of the required experience provided such education includes three (3) courses in the physical and/or natural sciences. (NOTE:  If using college education to qualify, you must provide a copy of an official or unofficial transcript as supporting documentation showing the required coursework.)

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.

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 position participates in laboratory and field work associated with the development of techniques and the production and release of beneficial insects used in the biological control of invasive plants and insect pests.

Laboratory Work: Performs daily maintenance of insect colonies using established rearing protocols. These duties include but are not limited to careful inspection of all life stages; diet preparation; colony feeding; removal and disposal of colony waste materials; collection and sorting of various life stages; proper equipment utilization; collecting, recording, analyzing and verifying both production and quality control data; reporting unusual or negative production trends immediately to supervisor; assisting with the design, implementation, data collection, and analysis of experiments to improve reared organisms production or quality.

Performs sanitation of laboratory equipment, production supplies, and rearing areas. Ensures assigned equipment is calibrated and ready for use.

Field Work: Assists in field work to maintain host plants, scout for pests, and collect insect specimens and plant material. Assists with field surveys, trapping, and experimental data collection.

Maintains proper inventory of supplies and equipment used for production, shipment, and research activities. Includes keeping storage areas clean and orderly; timely notification to supervisor of purchasing needs.

Assists in the monitoring of environmental conditions and in the training of employees in production, sanitation, and equipment usage procedures. Maintains accurate personnel records.

Performs other related duties as directed by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of basic principles in entomology or biology.


• Knowledge of basic concepts in experimental design and sanitation practices.


• Knowledge of computer spreadsheet, word processing, and email software.


• Skill in the use of production equipment, laboratory equipment, and personal computers.


• Skill to make minor equipment and supplies repairs.


• Ability to accurately collect, record, and analyze data.


• Ability to understand and effectively follow technical instructions.


• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.


• Ability to organize daily work assignments and adapt to frequent changes in production schedules.


• Ability to work independently or as part of a team, maintaining effective working relationships.


• Ability to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).


• Ability to work in hot, cold, and humid environments.


• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.


• Ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds.
  
  

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:

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.

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.