CHEMIST ADMINISTRATOR - SES

Requisition No: 845691

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: CHEMIST ADMINISTRATOR - SES - 42001425

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42001425

Salary: $56,597.06 - $67,916.42

Posting Closing Date: 02/08/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CHEMIST ADMINISTRATOR - SES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD SAFETY

BUREAU OF CHEMICAL RESIDUE LABORATORIES

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Mike Thompson, (850) 617-7525

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the physical or natural sciences and four (4) years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences, environmental protection, regulation or health; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in a major as described above and three (3) years of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university in a major as described above and one (1) year of professional experience as described above.

Certain positions within this class require individuals to meet specific federal or state regulations as identified by the employing agency.

Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.

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)

***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, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel required.

NOTES:

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Flex time.

JOB DUTIES:

This position manages Analyses of the Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) subsection in the Chemistry section.

As a supervisor, the incumbent must communicate with, motivate, provide or coordinate training, and direct the work of subordinates. Supervises effectively by monitoring performance, including periodic written evaluations and discussions; counseling to develop skills and correct deficiencies; recognizing employee accomplishments; and recommending timely disciplinary actions as needed. Documents recommendations for special pay increases, reclassifications and disciplinary actions, when appropriate. Approves timesheets and leave requests. Efficiently carries out employee selection actions when vacancies are to be filled. Responsible and accountable for managing budget/dollars/resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner. Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have operational procedures and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures. Trains chemists on a variety of advanced analytical instrumentation and associated instrumental analysis techniques, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and sample custody. Assures a safe, organized and efficient work unit. The unit performs poison, toxin, and pesticide residue analysis for work under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 scope of accreditation. This position coordinates the work of chemists and other laboratory staff who perform analysis activities on food samples; ensures the use of appropriate methodology and techniques, adherence to defined quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) requirements, and adherence to all laboratory and safety procedures. Analyzes, interprets and reports sample demographic and analytical data utilizing a wide variety of laboratory data processing, spreadsheet and database computer applications in a network environment. Reviews and assures accuracy of data and/or calculations pertaining to samples, analyzes control charts and takes corrective action when needed. Determines and reports the regulatory significance of sample data received or generated by the unit. Reviews analytical work for accuracy and completeness. Administers and performs complex sample analysis using various analytical instrumentation. Performs chemical extractions when required. Manages daily workflow of samples and batches with the Subsection. Maintains proper sample custody and accurate records of all section procedures. Maintains the section’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), making revisions and writing new SOPs as required. Implements all section QA procedures and assures adherence with all ISO 17025 accreditation requirements taking prompt and effective corrective actions as needed. Performs sample analysis and data reporting as needed to maintain sample workflow in section. Reviews or coordinates review of sample data batches for accuracy, completeness and compliance with QA/QC requirements and ISO 17025 requirements.

Coordinates and oversees the service, maintenance and routine operation of the section’s analytical instrumentation.

Suggests improvements to existing procedures and participates in development of new methods. Reviews, evaluates and/or implements current or new methods pertaining to analysis of chemical residues. Coordinates, oversees and/or participates in method validation projects. Oversees the installation, evaluation and implementation of equipment, instruments, data systems, computers and/or computer applications.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of scientific principles related to food analysis as indicated by degree with major course work in chemistry.
• Knowledge of chemical procedures, materials and laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of trace-level chemical residue analyses.
• Knowledge of sampling and custody procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of laboratory SOPs.
• Knowledge of department supervisory rules and procedures.
• Skill in the use of scientific equipment and instrumentation.
• Skill in applying scientific principles in the development of new methods and the evaluation of analytical processes.
• Skill in the use of sample-handling techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment and scientific instrumentation.
• Skill in coordinating, coaching, reviewing and evaluating the work of others.
• Ability to effectively perform chemical analyses using established laboratory procedures and tasks by understanding and following technical instructions and by applying acquired on-the job experience.
• Ability to comply with strict procedural and QA guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Ability to perform calculations pertaining to pesticide standard solutions and sample unknowns in parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb) and parts per trillion (ppt) concentrations.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to use laboratory computer applications (data processing, spreadsheet, database, word processing and chromatographic software) in a networked environment.
• Ability to modify existing and develop new residue analysis methods in a team environment with other analysts.

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.