CHEMIST II

Requisition No: 878592


Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: CHEMIST II - 64003935

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64003935


Salary: $38,260.07 - $46,000.24 annually


Posting Closing Date: 10/12/2026


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Open Competitive Opportunity

Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Jacksonville Laboratory

Chemical Threat Section

This is a full-time, in-office position

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional chemist position responsible for developing and enhancing the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories capacity to respond to acts of chemical terrorism. This chemist position will provide assistance in the development, adaptation validation, and implementation of new analytical methods for chemicals of Public Health concern utilizing GC/MS, HPLC/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP/MS, etc. analytical instrumentation per Laboratory Response Network Chemical (LRN-C) guidelines as recommended by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Level One Laboratories

Assists in the development, adaptation, validation, and implementation of new analytical techniques used to analyze chemicals of Public Health concern utilizing GC/MS, HPLC/MS, LC-MS/MS, and ICP/MS etc. analytical instruments.

Ensures that LRN-C Performance Testing (PT), exercise or surge capacity survey samples, and other specimens (such as actual or NY State) are analyzed per CDC guidelines within the prescribed holding times.


Assures quality assurance (QA) objectives are maintained for all analytical methods performed. Assumes responsibility for instrumentation assigned, documents in electronic and hardcopy logbooks: daily maintenance, calibration tunes, method revisions, air cylinder changes, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and other communications as per CT QA SOP manual.


Monitor and maintain Level 3 laboratory packaging and shipping inventories as required by CDC guidelines for laboratory preparedness. Also, maintain storage, packaging, and transport options for CT specimens from Jacksonville lab to other LRN surge labs in the event of a chemical terrorism incident. Participates in annual CDC Specimen Packaging and Shipping Exercise

Represents FL BPHL at meetings and conferences pertaining to laboratory analyses in response to chemical threats and terrorism. Prepares necessary reports on current program activities as required. Reviews technical/scientific literature.


Perform other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of terminology, principles and techniques used in chemical analyses.


Knowledge of procedures, techniques and equipment used in chemical analysis.


Skill in the use of lab equipment.


Ability to communicate effectively and deliver training.


Ability to work independently.


Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.


Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications:

Minimum: State of Florida Clinical Laboratory License/Chapter 483 F.S. and Rule 64B3 F.A.C. and professional laboratory experience.

Preferred: B.S. degree in Chemistry or a physical science; MS degree in Chemistry or a physical science.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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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