Job Description

Requisition No: 877293

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42914312

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42914312

Salary: $15.50/Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 06/15/2026

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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:

Gloria Lotz, (352) 395-4741

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 an official or unofficial transcript 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.

Benefits include optional insurance coverage and a LinkedIn Learning training account.

JOB DUTIES:

This position requires the employee to care for several organisms in a biological control rearing facility. This will include plant care such as watering, transplanting, trimming, scouting for pests, and transferring plants in and out of the rearing cages. There will also be duties involving insect care such as aspirating, sorting, and transferring insects from cages to vials.

The employee will be expected to work in greenhouses under hot conditions and in the laboratory environment. Employee may also be asked to assist with insect shipments and responding to phone inquiries about the program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of plant-insect interaction.
• Skill in nurseries working with plants or in laboratories working with insects.
• Skill in completing and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to be task oriented and have time management skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to adapt to changes such as field operations, weather, schedule, etc.
• Ability to interact with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to work outdoors in hot, cold, and humid environments.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
  
  

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/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.