Insect Research Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 879946 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN IV - 42915049

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 42915049 

Salary:  $15.50 Hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 08/05/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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:

Susan Halbert, Phone (352) 395-4670

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and four (4) years of experience in laboratory work; 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.

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.

Preference will be granted to applicants with work experience with a biological focus.

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

The work schedule for this position is eight hours per day Monday through Friday.

JOB DUTIES:
 

General Statement: Position will assist Biological Scientists, chiefly the Hemiptera team, with basic laboratory and data entry duties that support the Entomology section of the FDACS-Division of Plant Industry.

Data management, entry into specimen or sample databases, including the LIST application. Preparation of samples and specimens for identification.  Sending out emails when samples have been completed.

Sorting bulk samples to remove Hemiptera specimens for further scrutiny.  Helping to sort submitted samples if needed.

Curate regulatory vouchers and museum specimens into the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA). Organizing, cleaning, moving equipment, disposing of materials, etc., to keep the workplace safe and efficient.

Preparation of specimen loans to specialists for identification, shipping and maintaining loan invoice files. Organizing literature resources and archives. Taking pictures of unknown specimens using photo montage set up.

Managing and maintaining insect colonies for experiments.

Routine maintenance of equipment, managing supplies, and looking for pests in the FSCA. Assisting with research projects in labs, greenhouses, field, etc.

Review and edit the Entomology Section of the Division's quarterly newsletter.

Performs other tasks as assigned by management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of plant-insect interaction including vectored plant pathogens.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety procedures.
• Skill in written and verbal communication.
• Skill with data management, data entry, clerical and computer.
• Ability to work independently, compile written reports, and make innovations in equipment and techniques. 
• Ability to compile and organize data. 
• Ability using a microscope and specimen sorting.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a greenhouse.
  

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.