BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR I A - SES

Requisition No: 836665

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR I A - SES - 42000875

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42000875

Salary: $53,482.26 - $64,178.66

Posting Closing Date: 09/06/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR I A - SES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY

BUREAU OF FOOD LABORATORIES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Lyndsey Caulkins, (850) 617-7550

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and two (2) years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences and one (1) year of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate in one of the biological sciences.

Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.

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:

Must obtain and maintain USFDA certification as a State Laboratory Evaluation Officer.

Occasional travel required.

NOTES:

Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

JOB DUTIES:

Manages, plans, and organizes the Dairy subsection, the laboratory’s program for development or modification of analytical methods, and analysis of samples submitted for testing in support of the division’s food safety and Biology section programs; coordinates activities related to the maintenance of accreditation of ISO 17025 standards and FDA certification. As a supervisor, the incumbent must communicate with, motivate, provide or coordinate training, and direct the work of subordinates. Establishes priorities within the work unit for efficient testing of designed workload with adequate personnel, working with inspections units to coordinate. Assigns duties for staff. Counsels employees and instructs them on work practices and administrative matters. Handles disciplinary actions, makes recommendations for special pay increases, ensures competencies are developed and documented, and identifies personnel training needs. Approves leave and timesheets and develops performance standards and ratings. Efficiently carries out employee selection actions when vacancies are to be filled. Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Verifies and interprets the analytical results generated and makes recommendations concerning violations of state statutes and rules, interpreting Florida Statutes and regulations related to the program. Maintains individual expertise in analytical procedures, instrument technology, quality assurance, and management to ensure an efficient and effective program. Provides support to the State Hemp Program.

Assists with the development of internal management policies and procedures and provides technical expertise supporting grant duties and responsibilities. Ensures the laboratory is working to its fullest capacity to achieve division goals and objectives as well as meeting mandatory grant deliverables. Evaluates testing, equipment, and supplies/reagents for cost-effectiveness as well as applicability given programmatic changes.

Makes decisions on work problems to ensure resolution. Improves operating practices and procedures. Promotes collaborations and team-building, effectively interacting and coordinating with other sections and divisions. Ensures audits are maintained and improvement needs are documented as well as implemented. Participates in cross-cutting laboratory issues, especially involving laboratory readiness including Continuity of Operations Planning, Emergency Preparedness and Response. Collaborates to ensure working relationships within the laboratories and inspection units, as well as external partners, including state agencies and private industry.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Other duties may require routine travel for the Bureau of Dairy Industry for staff meetings regarding dairy testing and travel to dairy laboratories throughout the state for certification of the laboratory and/or dairy analysts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of management principles and practices
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques of biological research, analysis or testing
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in laboratory testing and analysis.
• Knowledge of the data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory equipment.
• Ability to supervise people.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data relating to biology.
• Ability to conduct biological analyses using scientific methods and techniques.
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to lead and manage a biological testing program.
• Ability to assess budgetary needs.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
• Ability to keep accurate research records.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and quality control/quality assurance guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Ability to perform calculations.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (email, data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing) in a networked environment.
• Ability to prepare scientific/technical reports and articles.

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.