Requisition No: 886110
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 42005263
Pay Plan: SES
Position Number: 42005263
Salary: $52,000.00 - $57,200.00
Posting Closing Date: 10/29/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
RESEARCH SCIENTIST - SES
(CLASS TITLE: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
*** OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
CONTACT:
Nicole Benda, phone # (352) 395-4641
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university with a major in biological, physical, natural, or agricultural sciences and three (3) years of related professional experience; or
A master’s degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university as described above and two (2) two years of related professional experience as described above; or
A doctorate (8 years) from an accredited college or university as described above.
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:
Occasional travel, sometimes overnight, required. Up to two weeks at a time on emergency programs, 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:
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. 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.
Supervises and trains technicians and others assigned for supervision to perform the necessary skills involved in developing biological control methods, quality control tests, and maintaining necessary records.
Maintains inventory of supplies for assigned programs.
GENERAL STATEMENT: This is a professional position responsible for the establishment and maintenance of biological control agent colonies used in ongoing and new biological control programs. Assists in developing, optimizing, and supervising rearing of biological control agents at the Biological Control Rearing Facility. Additionally, in collaboration with supervisor, incumbent will oversee the mass-rearing program and conduct/assist with basic and applied research on biocontrol agents. The developmental nature of this work results in a wide variety of changing activities and requires a person with a diverse array of technical knowledge and skills including entomology, biology, botany, chemistry, and statistics, an ability to work independently, and will at times require extended trips of several days’ duration.
Biological Control: Oversees and directs the development and maintenance of assigned biological control programs, ensuring all colonies and host plants are managed in the manner requisite for the program. Works directly with the supervisor to create logical workflows for agent and host production, field dissemination, field data collection, and program evaluation. Works directly with the manager to implement the release of biological control agents and monitors the results. Works on methodology improvement and technique development in all program aspects. These investigations are carried out in the lab and in the field.
Research: At the direction of the manager, this position conducts and supervises research into the population, migration, life history, natural enemies, host relations, rearing system improvements, and other environmental factors regarding plant pests established in Florida. Records data from scientific observations and experimentation, reviews literature, prepares detailed reports including reports and correspondence to the public, maintains detailed records of above activities and makes reports at scientific conferences and meetings. Prepares and submits applicable research as scientific manuscripts for publication in appropriate journals. Prepares technical papers and reports regarding results of investigations. Maintains liaison with scientists in Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other agencies and institutions through direct contact, correspondence, and conference and meeting attendance.
Provides data on plant and insect production, mortality, quality, and future needs/expectations for growth. Assists with researching, recommending, and writing grant proposals.
Performs other related work as required by management, including special reports, special assignments and travel, committee appointments, task force appointments, etc.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of entomology and the terminology, principles and techniques necessary for investigations and analysis of methods dealing with biological and chemical control of insects.
• Knowledge of biological control organisms and natural enemies, including life history, taxonomy, biology, and insect rearing techniques.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices, including plant maintenance and pest management.
• Knowledge of regulatory aspects of plant pests.
• Skill in management of resources including funding, personnel, equipment, and supplies.
• Skill in planning, designing and conducting projects and analyzing and interpreting the results.
• Skill in preparation and publication of scientific research data and reports.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments, delegate tasks and supervise employees.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to conduct insect rearing experiments, analyze results of investigations, and make innovations in equipment and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to lift and transport 35 pounds and bend repetitiously.
• Ability to work in extreme hot, humid, or cold environments, to include field work.
• 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 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:
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.