Requisition No: 814009
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN II – 37940047
Position Number: 37940047
Salary: $17.79 Hourly
Posting Closing Date: 10/10/2023
OPS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN II
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
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Our Organization and Mission:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water, and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
This advertisement will be used to fill up to two part-time OPS Laboratory Technician II positions. The OPS Laboratory Technician II positions, numbers 37940047 and 37940280, are in the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration’s Biology Program – Taxonomy Group in Tallahassee, Florida. They will be responsible for assisting the taxonomy group with sample preparation, data entry, and general laboratory duties. The OPS Laboratory Technician II duties help streamline the flow of work so sample results can be reported to customers accurately and efficiently.
The Difference You Will Make:
Water and natural resources are the foundation of Florida’s communities, economy, and way of life. The Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) is charged with protecting, maintaining, and improving the quality of Florida’s springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. DEAR team members provide the department and other resource agencies with the highest quality laboratory services available; provide technical support to the department and the public regarding water quality analysis and data quality assurance (QA); manage water quality data repositories for data storage and use by the department, other agencies and the public; and work together to monitor and assess Florida’s surface water and groundwater quality, develop strategies to reduce pollution, and work closely with local stakeholders to implement comprehensive restoration strategies that improve the lives of all Floridians and preserve aquatic resources for generations to come.
How You Will Grow:
DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.
Where You Will Work:
The work location of this position is in Tallahassee (Leon County), Florida. The city hosts the Capital of Florida and seat of state government. The city is home to numerous parks offering outdoor activities, league sports and natural trails for running, hiking and biking. Tallahassee is located just 22 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to some of the world’s top beaches. Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and several smaller colleges in the region offer a hub for academic research, athletics, art, music and other student activities.
OPS/Seasonal/Part TimeBenefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:
- Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
- 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, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.
Pay:
$17.79 Hourly
Your Specific Responsibilities:
In carrying out the duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of and abide by the Department’s Standards of Conduct, as well as any and all departmental and/or work unit rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
Receives, preserves and prepares invertebrate and algal samples for taxonomic identification; sieves and uses a microscope to sort aquatic organisms in invertebrate samples; settles and prepares slide mounts of algal samples.
Enters and verifies taxonomic data using the Statewide Biological Database (SBIO), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), or other software.
Participates in laboratory glassware cleaning; operates autoclave and drying ovens; participates in general laboratory maintenance tasks.
Properly disposes and recycles hazardous waste and other chemicals.
Assists in the training of sample prep staff.
Performs related work as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of basic concepts, and techniques for aquatic biology, ecology, and environmental sciences.
- Ability to understand and follow technical instructions for laboratory analysis, including laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and QA/QC.
- Ability to accurately track, collect, record, review, and analyze laboratory data.
- Skill in use of computers, including Microsoft Office software and internet resources.
- Skill in the use of laboratory equipment and materials.
- Ability to sit, stand, and use a microscope for long periods of time.
- Ability to work at counter height for long stretches of time with periods of frequent movement about the laboratory.
- Ability to complete repetitive tasks accurately and efficiently.
- Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
- Ability to use laboratory personal protective equipment and work with acids, acetone, and other chemicals.
- Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments within a given deadline.
- Ability to think and work independently, as well as part of a team.
- Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and resourceful in response to laboratory workload shifts.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Experience using a dissecting, inverted and/or compound microscope.
- Knowledge of aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:
HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_Recruitment@dep.state.fl.us
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.