Bioterrorism Preparedness Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878595
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST IV - 64046950
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 64046950
Salary: $54,758.98 - $84,758.96 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 07/03/2026
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Internal Agency Opportunity
Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees).
Applicants will not be accepted from outside of the department.
This position requires daily in-office or field work.
Division of Disease Control and Health Protection
Bureau of Public Health Laboratories
Jacksonville Laboratory
BT Section
*Pending position updates*
Your Specific Responsibilities:
This is a professional position responsible for maintaining and enhancing the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories capacity to conduct rapid and accurate diagnosis of biological threat agents for bioterrorism preparedness activities in the State of Florida. The incumbent will work independently to implement and adapt methods and procedures to detect a variety of biologic agents, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), that have the potential for use in biological terrorism to cause harm to and panic in the general population. Will serve as the Lead worker for Bioterrorism (BT) and LRN activities for the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories.
Plans, organizes, coordinates, and performs rapid and accurate diagnosis of biological threat agents such as Bacillus anthracis, Yesinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella species and Clostridium botulinum toxin. Provides scientific and technical direction and guidance to BT coordinators throughout the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories statewide facilities. The incumbent will lead daily activities of BT staff at the Jacksonville facility.
Collaborates with CDC, LRN, local, state, and national organizations to maintain the national network that provides the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories access to advanced capacity and confirmatory testing for the above-mentioned priority biologic threat agents. Conducts studies to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic assays. Participates in periodic planning and coordination meetings with CDC, LRN and other agencies.
Maintains a system for specimen transport, chain-of-custody, triage, testing and referral. The system must involve specimen transport and handling, worker safety, appropriate biosafety level working conditions for each threat agent, training of personnel, quality control and assurance, and maintenance of critical reagents to ensure the laboratory's readiness to respond.
Recommends plan for rapid reporting and integration of information systems for diagnostic test results, surveillance data, etc., for use by key agency personnel.
Serves as the lead trainer for all Bureau of Public Health Laboratories BT staff. This includes hands on training in Jacksonville or at any of the other LRN locations in Miami, or Tampa.
Serves as Principal Investigator for the Select Agent Program (SAP) at the Jacksonville laboratory.
Plans, designs, and develops, integrates new technologies and advanced methods for rapid diagnosis of the priority threat biologic agents.
Collaborates with CDC to maintain quality assurance standards that assure proper chain of custody, adequate security, transport and storage of specimens, secure and effective communication of laboratory results, and acceptable performance in an external proficiency-testing program.
Plans and coordinates with other Jacksonville laboratory sections, such as molecular and virology, to meet the Advanced LRN Reference Laboratory minimum testing volume requirements.
Performs related duties as required, including preparing presentations of results as needed, preparing administrative reports for the Bioterrorism Laboratory Program Advisor and Laboratory Administration, and assisting in surge testing for other departments as directed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of terminology, principles and techniques used in analysis and testing. Knowledge of procedures, techniques & equipment used in lab testing and analysis. Skill in the use of lab equipment. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to work independently. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
Qualifications:
Minimum: State of Florida Clinical Laboratory License. Preferably a technologist in microbiology.
Preferred: Bachelor degree or 5 years of experience.
Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision:
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values:
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.
Where You Will Work:
Jacksonville, Florida
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 click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Please be advised:
Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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.
Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.
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.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
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