Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Requisition No: 856507

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42901182

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42901182

Salary: $15.50 Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 07/18/2025

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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:

Dr. Patti Anderson, PhD, Phone (352) 395-4701

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of horticultural, greenhouse, or botanical field experience.

College or vocational/technical training can substitute at the rate of 30 semester, 45 quarter or 720 classroom hours each year for the required experience provided such education includes three courses per year 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 REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel is required.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Benefits include a LinkedIn Learning training account.

JOB DUTIES:

GENERAL STATEMENT: This position assists Biological Scientists with basic duties that support the FDACS-Division of Plant Industry Systematic Botany section, primarily greenhouse operations, plant propagation and collection, record keeping for greenhouse plants, and preparing information about noxious weeds.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Routine maintenance of equipment, managing supplies, and looking for pests in greenhouse collections.
• Preparing soil mixtures and maintaining plants in containers.
• Organizing, cleaning, and moving equipment; disposing of materials; keeping the workplace clean, safe and efficient.
• Assisting with greenhouse projects, and occasionally, fieldwork to collect fresh plant material, plant inventories, and herbarium maintenance.
• Assist in preparing training material for plant inspectors and documents for web pages
• Electronic record keeping of plant inventory, propagation techniques, and successful pest management
• Performing other tasks as assigned by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work in a greenhouse.
• Knowledge of plant-insect interaction.
• Knowledge of basic safety procedures.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs. and bend repetitiously.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and make innovations in equipment and techniques.
• Ability to compile and organize internet research related to greenhouse operations.
• 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:

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.

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