Job Description

Requisition No: 870209

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST I-SES - 42003774

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42003774

Salary: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 03/03/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I-SES
(CLASS TITLE: RESEARCH SCIENTIST I)

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Dr. John McVay, Phone (352) 395-4771

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in agriculture, or one of the biological, physical, or natural sciences.

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)

Requires 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, 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:

Moderate travel, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks on an emergency program, is 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.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for expert plant disease diagnosis, with particular emphasis on plant pathogens isolated from plant tissue or the plant environment, and for maintaining a collection of plant pathogens of Florida.

The incumbent spends majority of their time communicating with, motivating, providing, or coordinating training, and directing the work of subordinates. In addition, the incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop accurate work plans, and timely approve attendance and leave for each subordinate. Incumbent has the authority to make recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications, hiring, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate.

Supervises and mentor’s laboratory, greenhouse and quarantine personnel. Responds to new plant disease emergencies.

Diagnoses plant disease problems. Responsible for proper identification of plant pathogens and maintaining culture collection. Specifically responsible for oomycete disease diagnoses.

Investigates to determine the pathogenicity of new fungal, bacterial and oomycete isolates from new plant disease and the identification of pathogens and establishment of control measures. Collaborates with university, federal, and industry scientists on control of those diseases.

Conducts field investigations / surveys to determine noteworthy plant diseases with division, university, federal, and industry personnel.

Trains and teaches division, university, federal, and industry personnel.

Writes, edits and reviews professional manuscripts and documents for internal and public distribution.

Advises and assists public and private growers on-site in response to specific plant disease problems.

Other administrative duties as requested by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques, including, but not limited to gross and microscopic morphology, immunoassay, DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, and sequence analysis.
• Skill in Isolating and cultivating plant pathogenic bacteria, fungi and oomycetes, and testing their pathogenicity.
• Skill in the preparation of scientific reports and articles.
• Ability to compile, organize, and analyze data and make regulatory recommendations.
• Ability to motivate, train, and supervise employees.
• Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  
  

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.