OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42901182

Requisition No: 878622

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: 07/07/2026

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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:

Dr. Ayress Grinage, Phone (352) 395-4701

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

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

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

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)

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, 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, including overnight and sometimes up to two weeks at a time 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.

Experience or educational background in botany, plant science, or horticulture preferred.

Benefits include a LinkedIn Learning training account and optional insurance coverage.

JOB DUTIES:

• 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 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:

• Knowledge of plant-insect interaction.
• Knowledge of basic safety procedures.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work in a greenhouse.
• 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.
• Ability to lift 30 lbs. and bend repetitiously.

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.