MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST III - 64085129

Requisition No: 884100

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST III - 64085129

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64085129

Salary: $42,561.57 - $65,771.83 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 10/02/2026

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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.

Florida Department of Health

Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Jacksonville Laboratory

On Call Assignment. This position requires daily in-office or field work.

Prior to being offered a position the candidate's home address history, work history, education history, resume, professional licenses history, visa status (if applicable) and professional references will be verified. The individual will apply for Department of Justice (DOJ) clearance and Select Agent Program registration within the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Public Health Laboratories via the FD961 after being hired; however, continued employment in this position is contingent on successful Department of Justice clearance. Continued employment in this position is also contingent on passing a respiratory health screen.

PENDING CLASSIFICATION

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This professional position is assigned to a the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville. The incumbent serves as a Bioterrorism Coordinator supporting public health preparedness acitivites for all counties served by the Jacksonville laboratory.

Performs analyses using established LRN protocols for the rapid diagnosis of biological threat agents such as Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella species, Burkholderia species, Coxiella burnetii, Ricin and rule out of smallpox virus. This includes molecular as well as conventional microbiological procedures. Coordinates with other Bureau of Public Health Laboratories staff to conduct studies to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic assays developed to detect biologic threat agents and emerging infectious disease agents.

Coordinates with the County Health Departments, First Responders and Sentinel Hospital Laboratories to implement and maintain a system for specimen transport, triage, testing and referral. The system involves specimen transport and handling, worker safety, appropriate biosafety level working conditions for each threat agent, training of personnel, quality control and assurance, maintenance of critical reagents and the laboratory's readiness for responding to acts of bioterrorism. Assists in the training of Sentinel Laboratory personnel for sample, testing, processing, packaging, and transport to the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories.

Facilitates rapid reporting and integration of information systems for diagnostic test results, surveillance data, etc., for use by key agency personnel.

Assists in planning, designing, developing, and integrating new technologies and advanced methods for the rapid diagnosis of priority biological threat agents.

Implements quality assurance standards to ensure the proper chain of custody, adequate security, transport and storage of specimens, secure and effective communication of laboratory results, and acceptable performance in external proficiency or challenge testing programs.

Prepares presentations of results as needed, prepares administrative reports for the Bioterrorism Laboratory Program Advisor and Laboratory Administration, and assists in surge testing for other departments as directed.

Performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of terminology, principles, techniques, and equipment used in analysis and testing.

Knowledge of Quality Assurance standards.

Skills in preparing presentations.

Skills in preparing administrative reports.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Qualifications:

Minimum:Be eligible for Technologist or Technician license and submit application for license within 30 days of hire.

Preferred: Hold a State of Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel as a technician or a technologist License. Bachelor degree.

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 );

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

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit .

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:

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 ([click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work). 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 ([click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work). 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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