Job Description

Requisition No: 884457

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42915084

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42915084

Salary: $15.50 hourly

Posting Closing Date: 10/05/2026

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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:

Nooshin Zandi Sohani, phone# (352) 395-4727

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 each year of 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.

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, 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Occasional travel required, including overnight.

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.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This position is assigned to laboratory and field work associated with production of plants and insects for purposes of mass rearing, biological control, and eradication techniques. This incumbent works with some independence and participates in collaborative research initiatives that include scientists and stakeholders from different agencies.

Laboratory work: Perform daily maintenance of insect colonies using established rearing protocols. These duties include but are not limited to monitoring rearing room environmental conditions; insect cage preparation, feeding, insect diet preparation, shipment preparation, data recording. Maintain clean and sanitized laboratories, insect rearing areas, and various equipment used to maintain insect colonies. Assist supervisor in conducting laboratory experiments. Make observations and recommendations to improve rearing techniques for biological control agents. Monitor environmental conditions in various rearing areas and notify supervisor of anomalies.

Field work: Assists biological scientists with field work protocols to maintain plants, collect insect and plant samples, and collect data on these organisms. These duties may involve working in the hot, humid conditions of Florida. Assist with field survey and experimentation, including pest scouting, trapping, and data collection.

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

Maintain proper inventory of supplies and equipment used for invertebrate research and rearing. Includes keeping storage areas clean and orderly and timely notification of supervisor or the facility requisitioner when purchasing is needed, keeping assigned equipment clean, calibrated and ready for use.

Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of basic concepts and principles relating to insect rearing and testing, experimental design, sanitation practices, desktop computers and Microsoft software.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of lab equipment, such as growth chambers, glassware, microscopes, and analytic balances.
• Skill to make minor equipment repairs.
• Ability to accurately collect and record data.
• Ability to work independently and plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to understand and follow technical instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to occasionally work in hot, cold, and humid temperature environments.

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.